Netflix's latest basketball documentary, "Starting 5," included James Harden as one of the five featured players, with some of his best moments from last season. But, segments of his years with the Houston Rockets were also played, and the 2025 MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, gave Harden a generational label that he has rightfully earned.
"James Harden changed the game, like, with the step backs. I'll never forget, I was watching a playoff game versus Utah, and Ricky Rubio was guarding him. Like, their game plan was to guard him behind him so that he couldn't step back and shoot a three. That's never been done before. To change someone's coverage to the point where they want to play at a disadvantage all game is an insane amount of gravity."Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Furthermore, in Houston, Harden took the step-back and shocked the world by adding his own style to it in a way that worked, where officials would not call it a travel. This elevated his game tremendously, as teams feared this move so much that they would fall for his pump-fakes, giving him easy lanes to the cup.
Thus, Harden's scoring numbers rose over the years, and eventually, he won three consecutive scoring titles. As a result of his first in 2017-18, he also took home the league's Most Valuable Player award.
But, hearing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander speak on Harden's greatness gives fans of the LA Clippers another level of appreciation for who they have starting at point guard for their favorite team.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander remembering the Utah Jazz's coverage of James Harden speaks volumes
James Harden has had a phenomenal career, to say the least, but a moment fans of the NBA will always remember is how the Utah Jazz attempted to guard him years ago. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander brought this up in the Netflix documentary titled "Starting 5," and it is a confirmation of why he is one of the best shooting guards in NBA history.
Moreover, the Jazz did not want Harden to step back on them in the playoffs, so they resorted to defending him from the backwards angle. Little did they know, he trained himself to step back into different angles, and could even drill a three-pointer better than almost anyone through contact.
Harden finished this game one of the 2019 playoffs with 29 points, ten assists, and eight rebounds, and a massive 32-point win. He then helped the Houston Rockets take home the series four games to one.
That said, it means a lot that Gilgeous-Alexander can consider Harden as someone who transformed how basketball is played for the next generation, while also providing a perfect example of why he is one-of-one.
Harden is still an elite point guard, and one of the best in the league, but his days with the Rockets have highlights that are high up with the greatest players to ever play.