Being a James Harden fan must be tough, with public criticism after almost every postseason. After the 2026 playoffs, an older clip of the 11-time NBA All-Star sharing his woes with Hall of Famer Allen Iverson is making the rounds.

The video clip gained fresh attention after the Cleveland Cavaliers were swept 4-0 by the New York Knicks. The footage comes from a July 2020 call featuring a private conversation between Harden and Iverson. 

In the clip on X by BGN Hoops on June 1, 2026, Harden noted, “Everything that I’m going through right now is what you went through, just a new version. Criticism, negative energy, negativity… Maybe when I’m retired, maybe when I’m gone, it’ll catch up to y’all... I wanted to say I appreciate you, bro.”

By calling himself a "new version," Harden was not claiming to be a copy of Iverson's playing style. Both superstars were often labeled as selfish players whose styles clashed with league norms. Iverson was criticized for his famous practice rant. He also rebelled against the NBA dress code with his tattoos and cornrows. 

Similarly, Harden gets hate for his step-back three-pointers, foul-baiting, and offense.

The post by BGN Hoops brought these words back to attention because they mirror his current situation.

Harden just finished a highly criticized series in the 2026 Eastern Conference Finals. During the 4 games, he averaged 16.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. 

He struggled with his shooting efficiency, finishing at 38.9% from the field on 21-of-54 shooting and a low 17.9% from three-point range on 5-of-28 attempts. 

Harden has qualified for the postseason for 17 consecutive years. Still, he has not won a single championship, similar to Iverson.

The Impressive Playoff Journey and Championship Drought for Both Superstars

The postseason narratives for both Harden and Iverson mirror each other. The 2001 NBA MVP carried a weak 76ers roster to the Finals that year but never won a ring. He also faced complaints about his shooting efficiency throughout his career, despite raising his playoff scoring average to 29.7 points. 

Similarly, Harden saw his scoring average dip from 20.9 points in the regular season to 19.2 points in the 2026 playoffs.

Iverson was a smaller, physical underdog. Meanwhile, Harden is a taller volume scorer with better longevity.

Both stars remained elite performers despite their inability to capture a ring.

Both dominated the regular season. Iverson was a four-time scoring champion and the 2001 MVP. Harden is a three-time scoring champion and the 2018 MVP. 

Over 191 total career playoff games, Harden averages 22.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game. Critics point out that these stats show a decline from his regular-season career average of 24.0 points per game.

The closest he ever came to winning a ring was during the 2012 NBA Finals. Back then, he played a supporting role as a sixth man for the Thunder behind teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. However, the team lost to the Miami Heat in 5 games.

What do you think of how history will view Harden's long playoff legacy? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Utsav Sinha

Edited by

Surjo Ray