There is no doubt about the superstar status of James Harden. However, the same often doesn’t match his career and achievements. Thought Harden, 33, is one of the game’s best shooting guards and scorers of all time, his resume pales in comparison to his competitors. Recently, the Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard was hit with a stinging reality check by an NBA veteran.

Harden has been often criticized for not being a ‘big game’ player. As per many experts of the game, the star lacks clutch performance that’d put him on the elite list of players. Adding to that narrative, a 3x NBA All-Star recently said that Harden is clueless when it comes to big occasions.

NBA veteran criticizes James Harden for not being a ‘big game’ player

In a career spanning over a decade, Harden’s reach as a superstar of the game has been phenomenal. He manages a strong hold in popular culture and has remained relevant for years now. However, the 10x NBA All-Star is yet to win a major trophy, with his team or as an individual.

Currently, apart from his 10 All-Star appearances, Harden has been 2x Assists Leader and 3x Scoring Champion. Several experts feel that he is yet to reach his full potential as an athlete. Moreover, another narrative on Harden is that he himself is the reason behind the absence of an NBA championship in his career.

A few weeks ago, noted journalist Stephen A Smith had some harsh words for Harden. Smith said that Harden was the worst superstar player in game 7. He also said that Harden never turns up when the occasion is ‘big’ and his team needs him. He added that Harden should get rid of his beard so that he can hide himself in public. Recently, after this brutal dose of humiliation from Stephen A Smith, it was time for NBA veteran Gilbert Arenas to unleash brutality on Harden.

During a recent interview with DJ Vlad, Arenas discussed A Smith’s opinion on Harden and stated part of his own.

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The 3x NBA All-Star said, “I don’t know what goes through his mind in game 7.” He said that either Harden is scared to take chances or just wants to go home; regardless, his performance in game 7 is a problem. Arenas said, “The guy who came out game 1. That’s who should be coming out in all game 7s.”

He added that it is frustrating to see such a talented player perform poorly under pressure. As a fan, Arenas said that he knows that there’s more to Harden than what we’ve seen.

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Do you agree with Smith and Arena about James Harden? Share your view in the comments below!