James Harden reached one other stage of NBA historical past.
The well-traveled guard moved into second place all-time in made 3-pointers, eclipsing Boston Celtics and Miami Warmth sharpshooter Ray Allen.
5
Harden sank his 2,874th 3 on Sunday, climbing inside one slot of the highest spot in league historical past through the Los Angeles Clippers’ 116-105 residence win over the Utah Jazz.
“As I grow old and simply chip away at an unbelievable profession, (I) begin to accomplish issues like that,” the 35-year-old Harden mentioned. “So I do not ever need to take it without any consideration.”
Finest recognized to many NBA followers as The Beard, Harden was praised by his former Oklahoma Metropolis teammate Kevin Durant in a video.
Harden was drafted by the Thunder with the No. 3 total decide in 2009 out of Arizona State.
He joined Russell Westbrook and Durant in OKC and spent three seasons on a younger Thunder crew that reached the NBA Finals, earlier than falling to LeBron James and the Miami Warmth.
As Durant watched a video of a younger Harden sinking his first NBA 3 — on a clean cross-court help by KD — the present Phoenix Suns chief started smiling.
“Man, first 3-pointer within the league,” Durant mentioned. “Congrats JH on reaching an incredible accomplishment.
“All of the work that you simply put in has paid off. You encourage so many individuals all over the world with the way you play.
“Been a fantastic teammate and a fantastic good friend. I really like you, brother. Maintain grinding.”
Followers cherished seeing Durant and Harden re-connecting on social media, particularly after their reunion with the Brooklyn Nets failed on the hardwood.
5
5
5
“That is superior,” one fan tweeted.
“Actual recognises actual,” a second fan posted.
Harden additionally was impressed by Durant’s private tribute.
On an evening when Harden recorded a double-double that includes 20 factors and 11 assists to push the Clippers to .500 with a 7-7 file, a cross-country message from his outdated OKC teammate made a robust affect.
Harden is among the most proficient scorers in NBA historical past.
However his massive first steps in The Affiliation had been guided by Durant and Westbrook in Oklahoma Metropolis.
“They set the blueprint,” Harden mentioned. “After I received there, they already had the blueprint of methods to work, methods to be knowledgeable on this league.
“All I did was simply fall proper in line. … Each single day you’re employed your butt off, you take heed to the coaches and you determine methods to play nicely each single evening.
“These three years actually helped me in my NBA profession as a result of it simply gave me a floor base to the place I can go off of.
5
“From that time on, I used to be so comfy and assured in myself to once I received traded to Houston, I simply knew I used to be going to achieve success.”
Harden is now a 10-time All-Star and three-time scoring champion.
Successful his first NBA Finals title may by no means occur.
However Harden is now second to Stephen Curry on the all-time 3-pointers listing, and he is been extra profitable past the arc than Reggie Miller, Kyle Korver and Allen.
“I am probably the most assured guys that now we have on this league,” Harden mentioned. “However, no, I most likely will not catch Steph. And I do not suppose anyone will, truthfully.”
Harden has performed for Oklahoma Metropolis, Houston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and the Clippers throughout his 16-year profession.
He received the MVP in 2017-18 with the Rockets, and holds a profession scoring common of 24.1 factors.