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NBA Executive Thinks James Harden Is Like Allen Iverson – Not Willing To Sacrifice To Win

James Harden is a bonafide superstar and one of the best floor-raisers in the game right now, in a sense that he could drag a bad or injury-riddled team to a record better than projected. He has proven it a couple of times, so make no mistake that Harden doesn’t pose a problem in that regard.

However, things seem to be a lot more challenging when Harden is paired with another star. It’s one of the worst kept-secrets that Harden doesn’t play an unselfish, team-friendly style of game. While his game is not fairly an issue with a team lacking another reliable star, a team surrounded by better talent is quite different story.

Now seeing that Harden’s style of play is detrimental to winning a championship, there have been chatters whether Harden is willing to sacrifice to win a championship. One Eastern Conference executive suggested that the Rockets superstar is not willing, while comparing him to Philadelphia 76ers legend Allen Iverson.

Per Sports Illustrated:

“I don’t think he is,” says a veteran executive with an Eastern Conference team. “James is like Allen Iverson: He wants to win his way and put up historical numbers while he’s winning. I would never question their desire to win, but they all want to win on their terms.”

A Western Conference exec echoed those doubts, saying, “It’s hard for me to envision him playing any other way,” although he added, “I’m not sure if that’s him or the Rockets” insisting on that style.