James Harden reached another level of NBA history.
The well-traveled guard moved into second place all-time in made 3-pointers, eclipsing Boston Celtics and Miami Heat sharpshooter Ray Allen.
James Harden is near the top of NBA history for the league’s biggest shot[/caption]
Harden sank his 2,874th 3 on Sunday, climbing within one slot of the top spot in league history during the Los Angeles Clippers’ 116-105 home win over the Utah Jazz.
“As I get older and just chip away at an unbelievable career, (I) start to accomplish things like that,” the 35-year-old Harden said. “So I don’t ever want to take it for granted.”
Best known to many NBA fans as The Beard, Harden was praised by his former Oklahoma City teammate Kevin Durant in a video.
Harden was drafted by the Thunder with the No. 3 overall pick in 2009 out of Arizona State.
He joined Russell Westbrook and Durant in OKC and spent three seasons on a young Thunder team that reached the NBA Finals, before falling to LeBron James and the Miami Heat.
As Durant watched a video of a young Harden sinking his first NBA 3 — on a smooth cross-court assist by KD — the current Phoenix Suns leader began smiling.
“Man, first 3-pointer in the league,” Durant said. “Congrats JH on reaching an amazing accomplishment.
“All the work that you put in has paid off. You inspire so many people around the world with how you play.
“Been a great teammate and a great friend. I love you, brother. Keep grinding.”
Fans loved seeing Durant and Harden re-connecting on social media, especially after their reunion with the Brooklyn Nets failed on the hardwood.
Kevin Durant enjoyed watching Harden’s first NBA 3-pointer[/caption]
Durant gave his old Oklahoma City teammate a friendly shoutout[/caption]
Harden was amazed by Durant’s generosity[/caption]
“This is awesome,” one fan tweeted.
“Real recognises real,” a second fan posted.
Harden also was impressed by Durant’s personal tribute.
On a night when Harden recorded a double-double featuring 20 points and 11 assists to push the Clippers to .500 with a 7-7 record, a cross-country message from his old OKC teammate made a strong impact.
Harden is one of the most talented scorers in NBA history.
But his big first steps in The Association were guided by Durant and Westbrook in Oklahoma City.
“They set the blueprint,” Harden said. “When I got there, they already had the blueprint of how to work, how to be a professional in this league.
“All I did was just fall right in line. … Every single day you work your butt off, you listen to the coaches and you figure out how to play well every single night.
“Those three years really helped me in my NBA career because it just gave me a ground base to where I can go off of.
“From that point on, I was so comfortable and confident in myself to when I got traded to Houston, I just knew I was going to be successful.”
Harden is now a 10-time All-Star and three-time scoring champion.
Winning his first NBA Finals title might never happen.
But Harden is now second to Stephen Curry on the all-time 3-pointers list, and he’s been more successful beyond the arc than Reggie Miller, Kyle Korver and Allen.
“I’m one of the most confident guys that we have in this league,” Harden said. “But, no, I probably won’t catch Steph. And I don’t think anybody will, honestly.”
Harden has played for Oklahoma City, Houston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and the Clippers during his 16-year career.
He won the MVP in 2017-18 with the Rockets, and holds a career scoring average of 24.1 points.
