NBA Fans Heatedly Debate After Former Lakers Player’s Shocking Statement About James Harden’s Offensive Ability

A recent workout and podcast session featuring Patrick Beverley and streamer N3on has stirred debate after a bold remark about James Harden. During a drill, Beverly asked who the greatest basketball player ever was, and when N3on didn’t hesitate to pick Harden, Beverley responded with a provocative observation comparing Harden’s offensive firepower to the legend Michael Jordan. That comment has not only reignited debates about NBA greatness, but also spotlighted Harden’s resurgence with the Los Angeles Clippers after several seasons of criticism.

What Beverly Said—and What Sparked the Fire

Patrick Beverley, formerly of the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers, was leading an NBA‑style workout with N3on, a popular content creator. When asked who he thought was “the best player ever,” N3on chose James Harden, citing his admiration for Harden’s style of play during his Rockets era. Beverley agreed that offensively, Harden is “damn close,” perhaps “slightly better” in certain moments. He challenged listeners: have you ever seen Jordan lose his temper when he makes a good play? But have you ever seen Harden do so? That was meant as a compliment to Harden’s passion and intensity.

The conversation isn’t just provocative; it suggests that Beverley believes Harden’s offensive ability has, at times, matched or even edged out Jordan’s in specific contexts—something few analysts are willing to argue outright.

The Peak vs the Long Road: Harden’s 2017‑18 Rockets Season

To understand why many respect Harden’s claim to offensive greatness, one must look back to his MVP season with the Houston Rockets in 2017‑18. He averaged more than thirty points, close to nine assists, and over five rebounds each game. Every night, highlight plays; every night, elite efficiency. That season Harden nearly led the Rockets past the juggernaut Golden State Warriors—a team widely viewed as nearly unbeatable. His shot creation, his scoring volume, his gravity as an offensive force were unmatched. Many fans still see that year as the clearest evidence of Harden’s offensive genius.

The Lull, Then the Comeback with the Clippers

After leaving Houston, Harden’s career entered a new phase. With the Brooklyn Nets, he shared ball‑handling duties with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. In Philadelphia, Joel Embiid became the primary star, shifting Harden’s role toward facilitating rather than being the undisputed scoring focal point. During the 2022‑23 season with the Clippers, his scoring average dipped to under twenty points per game for the first time in many years. Some viewed this as a sign of decline.

Then came a resurgence. Harden returned to peak offensive form in the 2024‑25 season. He made the All‑Star team again, helped lead the Clippers to a fifty‑win season, and delivered memorable performances—including against Golden State in late games where he seemed to tap back into that old Rockets magic. His ability to dominate matchups, draw fouls, make difficult step‑backs, and pull up triples under pressure all reappeared.

Beverley’s View: Harden Offensive Edge?

Patrick Beverley’s statement that James Harden might be “slightly better offensively” than Michael Jordan surprised many. Jordan is often revered not only for scoring but for winning, defense, competitive spirit, and demeanor. Beverley’s caveat was precise: offensively, in some moments, Harden has done things that are unique. The idea isn’t to dethrone Jordan as basketball’s most iconic figure, but to recognize Harden’s exceptional creativity, ability to draw defenders, his step‑backs and craft over decades of play.

For fans, this sets up a fresh debate. Some will argue that championships and clutch moments tip scales heavily toward Jordan. Others point to statistical dominance, scoring volume, and offensive creativity as grounds for Harden’s inclusion in any serious conversation.

Harden’s Offensive Skills: What Makes Him “Close”

What specifically allows people like Beverley to argue that Harden is close to Jordan offensively? Several traits stand out:

• Ability to create scoring opportunities for himself in isolation and off the dribble. Harden’s isolation scoring, step‑backs, and pull‑ups are among the most lethal in modern NBA history.

• Mastery of drawing fouls. Harden’s ability to get to the line, especially in critical moments, has been a major part of his scoring strategy.

• Adaptability. Harden has shifted roles more than once—gloriously bearing scoring loads in Houston, facilitating in Brooklyn and Philly, then returning to scoring prominence in Los Angeles Clippers.

• Volume and longevity. Scoring averages, high usage rate, and sustained excellence for many seasons contribute to the claim that he rivals Jordan in offensive influence (though not identical styles).

The Counterarguments: Jordan, the Whole Player, and Championships

Even Beverley admitted that Michael Jordan remains the best overall player ever. Jordan’s combination of scoring, defense, winning six championships, dominance in multiple playoff rounds, and iconic moments across eras gives him a case that, many would argue, Harden cannot match in full.

Part of basketball greatness involves context: competition, clutch performance, leadership, defensive impact, and ability to lift a team when everything’s on the line. Jordan is often credited with having those in spades. Harden’s critics point to his perceived postseason weaknesses, his Finals appearances (or lack thereof), and counterbalance between offense and other parts of his game.

Why This Statement Matters Now

At a time when Harden is in a sort of renaissance, these sorts of statements matter. The Los Angeles Clippers are seen as a contender in many projections. Harden’s scoring revival has given fans hope—but also scrutiny. Beverley’s words place Harden in conversation not just as a star scorer, but as someone whose offensive achievements are now being reappraised in light of modern style of play, analytics, and depth of skillset.

This comparison also highlights how narratives shift. A player once criticized as being soft or too focused on isolation is now praised for efficiency, creativity, leadership in offense. Those shifts can influence contract discussions, legacy debates, and fan perceptions.

Looking Ahead: Harden’s Legacy in the Balance

What does this mean for Harden moving forward? If his offense continues to be elite, if his performances in high stakes games hold up, comparisons to Jordan in offense may gain more traction. Harden’s finishing years will be judged both by statistical accumulation and how well he adapts to changing roles, teammates, and defensive strategies targeted at him.

For Beverley, a former guard who played defense and saw Harden up close many times, his assessment carries weight because it’s from someone with real experience. Whether Harden surpasses or merely parallels Jordan’s offensive legacy, the seed has been planted for conversations that will endure.

Conclusion: A Controversial Statement, but One with Fire

Patrick Beverley’s recent claim that James Harden may be “slightly better offensively” than Michael Jordan is bold. It ignites debate, invites scrutiny, but also underscores how perceptions evolve in the NBA. Harden’s peak seasons, his recent resurgence with the Clippers, and his ability to produce scoring brilliance make him a legitimate figure in the conversation about offensive greatness.

For basketball fans, this isn’t about definitively declaring one player better than another—it’s about recognizing excellence, revisiting assumptions, and appreciating the many ways greatness can manifest. Harden may never match Jordan’s championship resume or cultural mythos. But Beverley’s statement reminds us that on offense—on shot creation, scoring touch, drawing fouls, and artistic expression with the ball—James Harden is now seen by some as pushing toward those heights.