James Harden on Klay Thompson: 'We really know what's going on'
About a week and a half ago, Golden State Warriors All-Star shooting guard Klay Thompson was asked to name the NBA's best player at each of the five traditional positions.
Thompson ultimately went with himself at shooting guard, citing his confidence in himself and the Warriors' historic record as primary factors. But he also credited the Chicago Bulls' Jimmy Butler and Houston Rockets' James Harden as worthy candidates.
With the Warriors and Rockets set to face off in Houston on Thursday, Harden was asked about Thompson's claim that he was the best shooting guard and seemed to brush it off, via the Houston Chronicle:
“People are going to talk,” Harden said. “Just let them talk and do whatever they’re going to do. Whatever gets them excited and whatever gives them that confidence to want to talk, just go ahead and do it. But we really know what’s going on.”
Asked if Thompson’s comment adds any motivation to Thursday’s meeting, Harden left it at “No.”
And while there is no denying Thompson is the better defender, there is also no denying Harden is the superior offensive force.
Some claim Thompson could do more if he had his own team, but we have yet to see that (though we might get to with Stephen Curry likely out for a couple of big games).
Harden, meanwhile, has already led the Rockets to the No. 2 seed and to the Western Conference Finals last season, legitimately challenging Curry for the MVP award (and winning the player's awards version of it).
Sure, Harden has dropped off a bit this season, both efficiency-wise and as a defender, but he's still the game's best shooting guard.
Until, of course, he's proven otherwise. Let's see how the two fare come Thursday.
