Clippers star James Harden made history on Monday night, surpassing Shaquille O'Neal for ninth place on the NBA's all-time scoring list. But here's where it gets controversial... While O'Neal achieved this feat in 1,207 games over 19 years, Harden accomplished it in just 1,187 regular season games. This raises the question: is Harden's achievement more impressive, or is it simply a product of playing in an era with fewer games?
Harden's 3-pointer early in the third quarter against the Charlotte Hornets pushed his career total to 28,598 points. He finished the game with 32 points, outscoring O'Neal's 28,596 points. Harden's performance was particularly impressive, as he averaged 25.6 points per game entering the night, his highest average since the 2019-20 season.
While Harden's achievement is undoubtedly significant, it's important to consider the context. Wilt Chamberlain, who holds the eighth spot on the all-time scoring list, achieved his 31,419 points in just 1,045 games over 14 years. LeBron James, the all-time leader with 42,601 points, is the only player who can truly be compared to Harden's achievement.
Harden's recent move up to 12th on the all-time assists list and second all-time in 3-pointers made behind Stephen Curry further cements his place in NBA history. But will his name be remembered alongside the all-time greats? That's a question for the fans to decide. So, what do you think? Is Harden's achievement a product of his era, or does he truly deserve a place among the NBA's all-time greats? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
