James Harden

Even after enjoying top-of-the-league dominance with 65-win juggernauts, NBA Finals runner-ups, and “What If” teams of generationally-great potential, James Harden needed only a few months before placing the 2024-25 L.A. Clippers among the best he’d ever played for. Still as uncheckable as they come in isolation situations, Los Angeles’ 11-time All-Star illustrates one of the reasons why, first by blurring past Tyler Herro, all the while keeping the whereabouts of his teammates in his peripheral. Spot-on in his dice-rolling, over-the-head no-look dime towards the far corner, Harden leaves both teammates and opponents in awe, unlocking the path to a corner 3-pointer. The days of 50-point outbursts and seldom-seen box scores may be few and far in between, but Harden punished the Miami Heat through a different variation, scoring or assisting on 51 of the Clippers’ 119 points in March 12, 2025’s win. The dynamic floor general flirted with a triple-double by evening’s end, collecting 24 points, eight rebounds, 11 assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers.