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Houston Rockets: How James Harden is the Most Clutch Player in the NBA

By Anthony Duckett

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts to his three pointer late in the game leading to a 124-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 20: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts to his three pointer late in the game leading to a 124-115 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on October 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Rockets have by far the most clutch player in the NBA. Here’s the case for why that’s the truth.

James Harden of your Houston Rockets is an unstoppable force, as well all know by now. He’s led the league in scoring in back to back seasons and won the scoring title by the largest margin since Wilt Chamberlain in 1963. But not only that, Harden is the most clutch player in the NBA, based on last season.

With the game on the line, Harden is even more unstoppable as he can get to the free throw line and ice the game or he can hit a dagger from deep to close the game out. Harden gets a knock from basketball pundits for not being clutch or not showing up in winning time, but the numbers actually tell a much different story.

Last season, Harden led the NBA in total clutch scoring with 192 points. By comparison, the closest to him in that category was Kemba Walker who had 175 points. Walker however had more field goal attempts and three point attempts than Harden and still finished with 17 less points in clutch time, which proves my point even further.

But not only that, Harden is also the best in the league at getting to the line in clutch time as well, as he had the most free throw attempts and free throws made in clutch time, en route to shooting 82.5% of his free throws. The next closest to Harden in free throw attempts were Paul George who had 63 in clutch time, despite George playing in 5 more such games than Harden. This only furthers the point of how much of a finisher Harden can be from the free throw line and how Harden is the best in the league at the charity stripe with the game on the line.

If you still want to debate me on Harden not being the most clutch in the league, I think I can give you an even better example below:

There is no one else in the league that could make that play against the Warriors in overtime and hit that shot in that situation.

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So while I know it’s become commonplace to talk about Harden not being clutch, the numbers tell a much different story.

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