James Harden’s Dream Team Just Broke the Internet — CP3 Completely Ignored

When James Harden talks basketball, the NBA world listens.
The former MVP, 10-time All-Star, and one of the league’s most polarizing figures has never been afraid to speak his mind. But when “The Beard” recently unveiled his all-time starting five made up of former teammates, he didn’t just give basketball fans something to debate — he detonated an entire conversation across social media.

The list? A mix of legendary names and superstar talents. The shocker? Chris Paul — the Hall-of-Fame-bound point guard and former co-star — didn’t make the cut. And if the reaction on NBA Twitter, Instagram comment sections, and Facebook threads is any indication, Harden’s choices have become one of the most talked-about basketball topics of the summer.

Harden’s Starting Five — The Players Who Made the Cut

Before diving into the controversy, let’s look at Harden’s picks. According to the star guard, his ultimate squad from ex-teammates would be:

1. Kevin Durant — One of the most lethal scorers in NBA history, Harden’s former Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets teammate.

2. LeBron James — Though only a brief teammate during All-Star games, the King’s spot on this list speaks to his legendary status.

3. Dwight Howard — Harden’s early days in Houston were powered by the athletic big man’s rim protection and lob-catching ability.

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo — A surprise choice, given their brief time as teammates in an All-Star setting, but undeniable in sheer dominance.

5. Joel Embiid — Harden’s recent co-star in Philadelphia, and the reigning MVP.

It’s an all-time great lineup by almost any standard — size, shooting, defense, and star power. But as Harden read off those names, fans couldn’t help noticing the glaring omission.

The Chris Paul Snub — Why It Hit So Hard

Chris Paul, known as “The Point God,” played alongside Harden with the Houston Rockets from 2017 to 2019. Together, they formed one of the most dangerous backcourt duos in recent memory. In their first year together, they pushed the Golden State Warriors — a dynasty at its peak — to a seven-game Western Conference Finals series.

That season, Houston won a franchise-record 65 games, with Paul providing leadership, clutch shot-making, and his trademark court vision. For many Rockets fans, that era was the closest they had been to an NBA title since the Hakeem Olajuwon days.

And yet… Harden didn’t include him.

The snub has stirred heated debates online. Some fans argue that Harden and Paul’s relationship soured after their playoff heartbreaks, making this omission more personal than basketball-related. Others believe Harden was simply picking the most dominant names regardless of chemistry or history.

On Facebook, posts about the list have racked up tens of thousands of comments, with CP3 supporters calling the decision “disrespectful,” “petty,” and “revisionist history.” NBA meme pages had a field day, editing Paul’s face into pictures of him “knocking on the locker room door” while Harden’s chosen five practiced inside.

Fan Reactions — Social Media Goes Wild

If Harden was looking for engagement, he got it. Within hours of the announcement, “Harden” and “Chris Paul” were trending across Twitter (X) and Facebook.

Some of the most viral fan reactions included:

• “How do you make a list of your best teammates and leave off the guy who helped you almost beat KD’s Warriors?”

• “This is why Harden will never win a ring. He doesn’t value leadership over highlights.”

• “Petty Beard strikes again.”

• “CP3 should be on that list over Dwight Howard, no question.”

Others defended Harden, noting that basketball is about fit and star power — and that LeBron, KD, Giannis, and Embiid are all generational talents.

Even current NBA players subtly chimed in, liking tweets and dropping cryptic emoji comments that kept the drama alive.

History Between Harden and Paul — From Brotherhood to Breakup

The Harden-Paul partnership was, at first, a dream scenario for Rockets fans. Harden’s scoring brilliance paired with Paul’s playmaking seemed unstoppable.

Their 2018 playoff run remains one of the most bittersweet in modern NBA history. Up 3–2 against the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, the Rockets were on the brink of dethroning the champs — until Paul suffered a hamstring injury in Game 5. Without him, Houston lost the series, missing a staggering 27 straight three-pointers in a Game 7 collapse.

By the following season, reports of tension began to surface. Multiple outlets claimed that Harden and Paul clashed over offensive control, ball-handling duties, and practice intensity. By the summer of 2019, Paul was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Russell Westbrook — a move that stunned the NBA.

It’s been years since that breakup, but Harden’s latest comments show that, at least in his eyes, the partnership doesn’t rank among his most cherished.

Why Dwight Howard Made It Over Chris Paul

One of the biggest points of contention in this list is Harden’s decision to include Dwight Howard instead of CP3. Howard’s tenure with the Rockets was solid but not spectacular, ending with reported friction between the two stars.

However, Howard was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time All-Star, and at his peak, the most dominant center in the league. For Harden, perhaps Howard’s prime physical dominance outweighed Paul’s cerebral leadership.

Some analysts also suggest that Harden’s selections leaned heavily toward size and versatility, building a lineup that would be nearly impossible to match physically.

The SEO Buzz — Why This Story Won’t Die Anytime Soon

From an online engagement perspective, Harden’s snub of Paul checks every box for a viral sports headline:

• Star power: Both Harden and Paul are household NBA names.

• Controversy: Leaving out a former co-star is an instant conversation starter.

• History: Fans love revisiting “what could have been” stories.

• Social media memes: Easy to create and share, fueling ongoing buzz.

Sports media outlets have milked the topic with multiple segments, fan polls, and “re-drafted” versions of Harden’s list — many of which, unsurprisingly, put Paul back in the lineup.

What This Means for Harden’s Legacy

Whether you love him or hate him, James Harden has cemented himself as one of the most unique offensive players in NBA history. His step-back three is iconic, his scoring records undeniable. But moments like this — where personal preference clashes with public expectation — reveal the complex, sometimes polarizing nature of his legacy.

For Chris Paul, the snub likely won’t matter much in the grand scheme. His Hall of Fame resume is already set: 12-time All-Star, 4-time All-NBA First Team, and considered by many to be one of the greatest point guards ever.

But for fans? This list will remain a screenshot, a meme, and a debate topic for months.

Final Take — Petty or Honest?

So, was Harden being petty or just honest? The truth might be somewhere in the middle. Player relationships are complicated, and an “all-time teammates” list is as much about personal feelings as it is about basketball skill.

What’s clear is that Harden’s latest move has kept him exactly where he’s been for years — at the center of the NBA’s most heated conversations. And if social media is any measure of influence, “The Beard” just pulled off another masterclass in keeping his name trending.