Golden State Warriors

Kevin Durant believes 'nobody really appreciates' James Harden's game

Published Oct. 20, 2016 4:42 p.m. ET

Brett Pollakoff

James Harden finished second in MVP voting to Stephen Curry in 2015, and his individual numbers were even better last season. But thanks to his Rockets finishing the year well below expectations, Harden's performance during the 2016 season went largely unnoticed.

Kevin Durant wants to make sure that Harden gets the credit he deserves, so while speaking to reporters in Houston at USA Basketball practice on Sunday, Durant offered up some unsolicited praise of his former Thunder teammate.

"Nobody really appreciates what he does except for the players in our league," Durant said, via Chron.com. "Everybody on the outside doesn't really appreciate what he brings. Anybody that can put up 29 points, seven rebounds, seven assists and not make the All-NBA team, that's like a sin to even think about not putting a guy like that on the All-NBA team.

"As a player and someone that played with him and a fan of the game I was (angry) because somebody is right here in front of you and you can't appreciate him. If he were to retire tomorrow, we would have so many stories and videos about how great he is, but he's here right now doing it. Appreciate what he brings."

In a recent interview with FOX Sports, Harden admitted to having a lack of focus at times, and if you read between the lines, he also alluded to locker room issues that were present throughout the season.

Players are ultimately judged by wins and losses, so with Houston only sneaking into the playoffs last year after finishing as the two-seed in the West the season before, there was going to be some backlash.

But Harden posted career-best averages in points, rebounds and assists, and somehow was left off of all three All-NBA teams. It's fair to say that Durant is correct in saying that Harden was underappreciated last season.