Superstar James Harden has his legacy on the line once again this postseason. Harden has been labeled as a “choker” after multiple playoff failures. Great player in the regular season but tends to shut down in the postseason. Now going up against Lebron James and the Lakers, he has a chance to write the narrative.
He isn’t the only one who else is at stake in this second round matchup. Russell Westbrook’s legacy is also on the line as this is the first time since he has passed the first round since Kevin Durant left Oklahoma City. The narrative for Westbrook is that he is a high motor player who gives all the effort he has, but sometimes too much effort where he becomes a detriment to his team.
After trading all of their future assets for Russell Westbrook and also not having any cap space to work with in the offseason, they are in a win now mindset. The fact that both players wanted each other gives this series another spin to it.
Looking at the stats, both have the numbers to be a dynamic duo. However when the pressure is one they tend to fold. Westbrook with his dreadful decision making and Harden not showing up.
Playoff Failures
Since being traded to the Rockets, Harden has his share of playoff failures. Losing to the Warriors multiple years, an aging Spurs team, and being sent off by Lilard. His biggest blunder is losing a 3-2 lead to the warriors in 2018. He also holds the most turnovers in a playoff game from 2014-2018.
It’s been 3 years since Westbrook passed the first round. As the number one option, Russell has lost to Harden, a rookie Donovan Mitchell, and sent home by Damian Lilard.
This will be the first time each player faces Lebron James in the playoffs since losing the 2012 finals. It will certainly be a fun match up that can pan out in two ways. One, they out run the Lakers and make 20+ three a game and win the series. Two, nothing falls and the Lakers take advantage with their size.
Rockets Head Coach Mike D’Antoni is also facing the pressure. Playing out the last year of his contract, D’Antoni will likely not return if they lose this series. The small ball offense will face it’s true test.
In game 7 against the Thunder, Harden wasn’t his normal self on the offensive shooting four for 15 and only having 17 points. This time Harden did something that he hasn’t done much. That is affecting the game in other ways. He was houding on the defensive end, having two steals and three blocks. Most notably the game saving block on Lou Dort with four seconds left.
We’ll see if this wakes up the beast that is inside of James. With such pressure on the line both players will have to show why they are bonafide superstars. Age is catching up and who knows how many more legacy defining moments they will have.
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