Tribute to Harden - the ultimate performance of a veteran’s immortality

Who would have thought that Harden would perform like this this season. The 36-year-old veteran used his performance to try to save the team time and time again when the team was in turmoil and short of major generals.

In the last 5 games, Harden averaged 38.4 points, 7 rebounds, 7.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game, shooting 47.4% from the field and 45.2% from the three-point range.

How would you feel if the date was covered?

It seems like time has returned overnight to the peak Harden who was omnipotent in the 18.19 season and could score like chopping melons and vegetables.

He is old, he is never seen by the media, he has suffered a serious hamstring injury, he was criticized verbally in Philadelphia, and at one point someone even joked that he should play in the CBA.

Yes, even if he moved to the Clippers, he was ridiculed by the media.

But he did not give up. He led the under-promised Clippers to 50 wins last season. He played in almost every game, even with an ankle sprain. He was the veteran who averaged the second most minutes per game last season. He can also rank in the top 20 in the league.

He returned to the All-Stars and the best third team, a place he was extremely familiar with.

Yes, he did.

This season, the Clippers had a bad start, with many main players injured, making it difficult for the Clippers to win. The last two victories relied on Harden to save the team alone. He scored 41 points in double overtime against the Mavericks, and scored 55 points against the Hornets, the highest score in the history of the Clippers.

Isn't this Harden at his peak?

He still created his own record at this age.

The 27 points in the first quarter tied the individual’s highest score in a single quarter. This is also the 32nd time Harden has scored 20+ points in a single quarter, only less than Curry and Kobe, third in the league.

The 35 points in the half is the highest record in the league this season. It is also the 32nd time that Harden has scored 30+ points in the half since technical statistics are available, ranking first in the league. Second on the list is Kobe Bryant with 28 times.

The 55 points in the game tied his personal high this season. The other two were the popular MVP Alexander and Teacher Yue.

The 25th 50+ game in his career, tied with Kobe Bryant for third in history. The first two are ancient monsters Jordan and Chamberlain.

The last time Harden scored more than 55 points was back in the distant November 30, 2019, when the Rockets defeated the Hawks.

This is also the 12th time Harden has scored 55+, only less than Chamberlain in history, and higher than Jordan and Kobe.

In this game, Harden became the Clippers' single-game scoring champion. He also became the first player in history to hold the scoring crown for two teams.

With so many brilliant records, Harden has not received a fair evaluation. When people mention him, it means that key games are missed.

But they selectively forgot that all games in which Harden performed well were not critical games. And without those so-called non-key games, where would the key games in their eyes come from.

This game against the Hornets is the epitome of Harden's entire career so far. A person fights alone, burning himself out, only to find after the game that this is just a non-critical game. People simply won't remember.

And when he struggled to take the team to a position where the team did not belong, he had already exhausted himself. Physical strength and helpers have always been the biggest problems that have plagued Harden throughout his career.

The reason why we like Harden is because he is who we are.

I have worked hard and struggled, but I am always full of regrets. Not understood by others, but silently persisting.

Abandoned by the world, but never give up.

Even if the years go by and time goes far away, we can still do the feat that made me crazy as a teenager.

Yes, not for others, just for the youthful time that will never die in my heart.

Harden is still the young boy in my mind, riding a motorcycle through the city. So what if there is no championship? So what if someone makes fun of you? He is his own hero.

Pay tribute to veteran Harden, and hope the Clippers can start sailing again.