Shaquille O'Neal Explains Why James Harden Has Struggled In Big Games

Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) controls the ball against the Denver Nuggets during the second half of game three in the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
There was a lot to like about James Harden's 2024-25 season, but it ended in disappointment, just like so many others. Harden once again failed to deliver in a Game 7 as the Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated in the first round by the Denver Nuggets, and Shaquille O'Neal has a theory for why he struggles in these big games.
"When you care, I can see it in your eyes," O'Neal said on The Big Podcast with Shaq. "We had a couple of Game 7s, and people didn't step up... I already knew they wasn't going to step up because it's the topic of conversation. If you have the I don't care attitude, you're going to take 30 shots, not f***ing eight, James Harden.
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"When he was playing, I could tell he cares what people say," O'Neal added. "Still a Hall of Famer, you still make a lot of money, but you care what people say. You're just adding to your narrative."
Harden finished with seven points (2-8 FG), five rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, and one block as the Clippers lost 120-101 in Game 7 to get eliminated. Just eight shot attempts in a game of that magnitude were unacceptable.
Harden now averages 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in Game 7s in his career and has a 3-4 record in them. The former MVP hasn't been the least bit efficient either, shooting 35.5% from the field and 22.4% from beyond the arc.
This latest loss meant Harden became the first player in NBA history to lose a Game 7 with four different teams. The 11-time All-Star's last defeat prior to this was against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2023 when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers.
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It was a similar story when it came to Harden in that loss to the Celtics. He had just nine points (3-11 FG), six rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block as the 76ers lost 112-88.
Harden is no longer the incredible scorer he once was when he won three straight scoring titles from 2018 to 2020, but you'd still expect a lot more from him in these critical games. As O'Neal stated, the 35-year-old is just adding to that narrative about him being a playoff dropper.
Despite all of Harden's struggles in the past, there was hope that things would be different this time around. He averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game in 2024-25 and was so impressive that he even earned a spot on the All-NBA Third Team.
Harden had 28 points in Game 6 against the Nuggets to help the Clippers stave off elimination. The stage was set for him to right the wrongs of the past, but he failed to deliver.
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Someone who did not come up short in Game 7s during their career was O'Neal. He had a 3-1 record in them and averaged 26.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game. He shot at least 15 times in three of those four games and was the aggressive force that his teams needed him to be.
Related: Ex-Rockets Teammate Highlights James Harden's Game 7 Shortcomings

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