If I want to talk about who is the saddest star in the NBA, I would say, the first is James Harden, and the second is Chris Paul.
During the Thunder period, Harden entered the Finals for the first time and touched the floor of the Finals, that year the Thunder lost 1-4 to the Heat team in full swing, that year the young Durant, Wei Shao, Harden, and even the head coach were all newcomers, and it was difficult to fight against the Heat team with James, Wade, and Bosh, that year, Harden failed to do so! Durant later won the cup in the Warriors, and Wei Shao, like Harden, has no MVP and no championship!
Harden during the Thunder
During the Rockets period, Harden became the star of Houston, and under his leadership, the Rockets never missed the playoffs, and the management also brought in Howard, Paul, etc., to create a championship-winning lineup with him as the core for Harden. But I didn't expect that in the following years, the rocket repeatedly became a stepping stone for the warriors, resisting bravely and failing every year. The most promising year was the 2017-2018 season, when the Rockets were supposed to beat the Warriors and win the damn Western Conference championship, but Paul was injured and missed all 27 three-pointers in the team's key games. That year, Harden once again lost a great opportunity to win the championship, and it was time, and it was fate!
Harden during the Rockets
During the Nets period, seeing that Harden had no hope of winning the championship for many years in the Rockets, Harden, Durant, and Irving gathered in Brooklyn in 2020. That year, Brooklyn was star-studded, and many fans thought that the league was coming to an end. As you can see, the Nets are invincible, even if the Big Three play a small number of games together, as long as two of them are present, no matter who they play, it is easy. In the 2020-2021 season, the Nets swept the Celtics 4-1 in the first round. In the second round, the Nets met the Bucks with their brother alphabet, and the first two games were nothing short of slaughter, and this round could have easily advanced to the Eastern Conference finals. Who knows, Owen was accidentally injured by the stepping foot and was reimbursed for the season. Harden also suffered a hamstring strain and had no choice but to play with the injury. In the end, it was dragged into the battle of seven ties.
That one, it's a pity, fate played tricks on them, and it also played tricks on us fans. At the last moment, Durant's stunner shot from the line sent the game into overtime. Judging from the replay, Adu just stepped on the line, and if he closes one centimeter outward, it is a perfect lore ball. It's really fate, the general trend has gone, in overtime, Johar didn't score three points in multiple empty positions, Harden didn't score, and Durant didn't score. There is really no champion life! Pity! How many people are unhappy is this game!
That year, Paul and Harden could have seen the Finals, and whoever won the championship would always be able to soothe some former Rockets fans. But coincidentally, regrettably, it was doubled, Paul finally touched the floor of the finals, and was helpless to be overturned by the Bucks for 4 consecutive games with a 2-0 start, and lost the championship!
The Nets' Big Three
During the 76ers period, the next season after the loss, the Nets' Big Three were disbanded, and Harden ran for the 76ers. In the 2021-2022 season, 76 were eliminated by the Heat 4-2 in the second round. In the 2022-2023 season, 76 were eliminated by the Green Army 4-3 in the second round. After leaving the Rockets, Harden was no longer the all-powerful scoring champion, starting with the Nets, gradually declining in ability, starting downhill, and shifting his focus to playmaking and stringing teams. Harden during the 76ers period can no longer go to the sky and the earth, and the key game spanning has also become a point of ridicule for many fans. But when the 76ers and Embiid were not there, Harden was still on his shoulders in many games.
Harden during the 76ers
In 2023, Harden left again to seek a way to win the championship, and this time, Harden came to the Clippers team with two of the best fronts in the league, plus Wei Shao, the Clippers formed a Big 4 to become an aircraft carrier. As you can see, the small card once again fell at the beginning of the playoffs, and Harden's ability is not as good as before, and he can no longer lead the team further on his own. This time, he failed again, once again played by fate.
Harden during the Clippers
Today, Harden is 34 years old and is gradually becoming a veteran. Like Janduku, their time is about to fade, and a new generation is replacing the old. Harden has had many opportunities in his career, but providence has made people, and he is getting depressed day by day, and the dream of a championship may stop there!
Will you still watch the NBA after Harden retires?