Harden Crafts His All-Star Starting Five

In a recent interview, NBA superstar James Harden unveiled his personal dream starting five, featuring some of the most talented players in basketball history. During a discussion with Lacy, Harden meticulously selected himself alongside NBA heavyweights Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant, and Joel Embiid, creating a formidable lineup that has raised eyebrows across the league.

Harden noted the challenge of selecting just five players, particularly in the guard positions where he considered fellow All-Stars Chris Paul, Westbrook, and Irving. "That point guard position is crazy," he remarked. This highlights the depth of talent that Harden has encountered throughout his career.

Despite his choices leaning towards a smaller lineup, Harden expressed confidence in the group's capabilities, stating, "I like that team. Small team that can run the floor, has handles, can shoot." This adaptability may be exactly what any championship-caliber team needs.

The assumption in this exercise was that each player would be performing at their peak. If that premise holds, it’s easy to imagine this collection of stars lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Notably, while Irving remains the only member of this starting five without a league MVP title, he boasts an impressive resume as a nine-time All-Star and is recognized as one of the most skilled players on the court.

It's particularly interesting to see Harden include both Durant and Irving, as they were all part of the Brooklyn Nets during the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Expectations for that trio were exceptionally high, yet they couldn't get past the second round of the playoffs due to injuries and suspensions.

Harden’s trade to the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2021-22 campaign marked the end of an anticipated era for the Nets. While their partnership did not yield a championship, the potential of adding the peak versions of Embiid and Westbrook could have significantly altered their playoff success.