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Is Harden an All-Star?
Namely, Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden, who didn’t make the cut for the All-Star Game in Salt Lake City despite averaging 21.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and what should be a league-best 11 assists per game.
1. He Once Was Part of an All-Girl Dance Troupe
As a young teen, James Harden along with some of his friends joined a local all-girl dance troupe called the ‘Strawberry Peaches’. This fact shows that even in his formative years, James possessed the boldness, charisma, and confidence necessary to take risks and step outside of his comfort zone.
2. He Lives a Modest Lifestyle
Despite being one of the most sought-after players in the NBA, James Harden is much more invested in the game of basketball than in the material trappings of wealth. This is reflected in the simple lifestyle that Harden prefers to live, eschewing the standard celebrity lifestyle for something much more modest.
3. He’s a Generous Philanthropist
Harden is one of the most generous players in the league, donating to numerous charitable causes annually. He is particularly passionate about supporting inner-city youth, going so far as to establish the Three-Point Pledge, through which he donates 3% of his annual salary to organizations aiding disadvantaged youth and education.
4. He’s a Lifestyle Brand Mogul
Before becoming one of the most well-known and celebrated basketball players around, Harden already had a business empire in the form of his own fashion and lifestyle brand, Fear No Evil. Through his brand, he designs and sells hats, custom apparel and accessories, giving his fans another outlet to express their admiration for the star.
5. He Spends Time Refusing Autograph Requests
When he’s not playing basketball, James Harden can often be found spending time with charitable causes and interacting with fans. He has been known to often politely refuse autograph requests, but this doesn’t mean that he isn’t appreciative to his fans – quite the contrary, he is very grateful to them for their support.
6. He Has His Own Signature Line of Shoes
In 2019, James Harden and the sneaker company, Adidas, teamed up for their third consecutive collaboration of shoes. This collaboration resulted in “Harden Vol 3”, which sparked the release of a new range of shoes within the three stripe brand.
7. He’s an Animal Lover
Like most NBA stars, James Harden also has an intense love for animals. This is highlighted by a photo he posted from his visit to the Tarongo Zoo in Sydney, Australia in 2017. In the photo, he can be seen holding several exotic animals and smiling lovingly at them.
8. He’s Artistic and Talented with a Paintbrush
James Harden is not only a great basketball player, he is also an artist. He has admitted to being a fan of abstract artwork and have passed some of his talent to the canvas. He painted a beautiful mural in 2018, which he donated to his hometown of Los Angeles in support of Black creativity and expression.
9. He’s a Fashion Icon
James Harden is known for his fashion sense, which has often been a topic of conversation in interviews. He had famously worn several multi-coloured suits in the past and has been photographed in numerous fashionable outfits. He has also been the face of different fashion campaigns from the likes of adidas and Supreme.
10. He Has Numerous Accolades
James Harden’s accolades stretch far and wide. He currently holds the record for the most consecutive games played with a triple-double. He has won three NBA championships, as well as a sixth NBA player of the year award, three scoring titles, and numerous All-Star game appearances.
James Harden will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the greatest basketball players of all time and it is clear that his lasting legacy will have an impact on the future generations.
