James Harden has always been a figure of intrigue in the NBA, known for his on-court brilliance and off-court controversies. During a game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Harden not only solidified his legacy by surpassing Oscar Robertson on the all-time scoring list but also sparked debate with a questionable celebration.
On Sunday night, the Clippers stepped into the Crypto.com Arena and walked away with a 116-102 victory. But there was more to the game than just basketball. The center of the spotlight was James Harden, but not for all the right reasons.
With under five minutes left in the third quarter, Harden sank a deep shot and celebrated. This wasn’t just any celebration. The veteran guard pointed to his left index finger and made a controversial gesture, one that could, potentially, get him into trouble. He was seen mimicking a firearm trigger motion in a video uploaded by a user on X.
A glimpse of it would surely bring back many memories for the NBA community from last season. If you haven’t already, let’s recap. Grizzlies’ Ja Morant showed a fake gun in one of his Instagram Live videos, for which the league suspended him for 25 games. After his return, he made a similar gesture in the air during a game against the Pelicans after dunking. However, it was later clarified that he was actually performing the “Rock Ya Hips” move.
The NBA is known for being strict when it comes to discipline and has zero tolerance if it is not maintained. James Harden should have been more careful, as failing to comply could lead to heavy fines from Adam Silver and Co. Aside from the alleged controversy, the night went in Harden’s favor as he added a new accomplishment to his resume.
James Harden unlocks a historic achievement
The season so far has been a great one for Harden, going from being a doubtful third wheel in the Clippers‘ Big 3 to stepping up as a true leader when Paul George exited and Kawhi Leonard was sidelined due to injury. This has showcased many shades of the 10-time All-Star.
One thing that has remained constant is his remarkable ability to score. Last night was no different. By the third quarter, James Harden heard the drumroll as the 35-year-old surpassed the legendary Oscar Robertson on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. Before entering the court he needed just 11 points to move up in the list. The night ended with him putting up 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 12 electrifying assists on the Clippers‘ scoreboard, making it his 16th double-double performance of the season.
Harden needs just 226 more points to climb higher in the rankings and surpass the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon. Given his current form, it doesn’t seem like a challenging feat for him. So far, the 2018 MVP is averaging 21.4 points per game, a figure that’s been more or less consistent for him over the past decade.
This man just doesn’t know how to stop. Maybe a championship ring is all that will bring him the peace he’s looking for. And considering the way things are shaping up with the Clippers, this could very well be the season for the Larry O’Brien Trophy. But even without it, Harden is undeniably a basketball genius.