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James Harden: ‘For sure’ I’m the best player in the world

James Harden

Playing the best basketball of his life for the Houston Rockets this season, James Harden is quite confident in his abilities on the court. So confident, in fact, that he believes he’s the best basketball player in the world right now.

Speaking with TIME magazine, Harden listed off the reasons why he believes nobody can touch him in this regard in response to the question, “Are you the best player in the world right now?”

“For sure. I feel like I’m solid in everything: IQ, studying the game, I can score the basketball, make my teammates better,” Harden said. “There are not a lot of guys that have all those characteristics in one. They might be way more athletic, can shoot the ball way better. But everything solid in one human body?

“You can ask all those top guys who the best player is, of course they are going to say themselves. Because as a basketball player you’re confident in your craft. It’s not taking shots at anybody. It’s a confidence.”

It’s important to note the distinction between Harden’s comments and say, what we’ve heard from fighters in boxing and MMA throughout the years. This wasn’t some boastful, shout-it-from-the-rooftops declaration in front of cameras at a press conference. Harden was asked a question in a private setting, and he answered it while at the same time noting he isn’t trying to take shots at his peers.

And quite honestly, it’s not a huge stretch to say Harden is playing better basketball than anyone in the world right now. One could argue Russell Westbrook belongs in this conversation, along with guys like LeBron James, Isaiah Thomas and maybe even DeMarcus Cousins.

Harden is averaging 29.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 11.3 assists, 1.4 steals and half a block per game this season. Earlier this year, he became the first player in NBA history to log two 50-plus-point triple-doubles in the same season (more on that here). Defense isn’t his strong suit, which should be taken into consideration when talking about the overall best player in the world. But he’s got everything else going for him, like him or not.

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