OKC Thunder: 3 former stars with most to prove in 2021 NBA Playoffs

Former OKC Thunder star No. 3) James Harden

Without a doubt, of all the former OKC Thunder stars currently heading into the playoffs, James Harden easily has the most to prove.

Since parting from the franchise after his 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year winning season, the combo guard has gone about and secured nine All-Star appearances, seven All-NBA selections, three scoring championships, and a league MVP.

However, despite all of his individual successes, Harden has yet to accomplish the ultimate goal of winning an NBA Championship. In fact, as we all know, he has yet to even make an appearance in the Finals whilst being the leader of his respective ball club.

Now, we understand that winning an NBA Title is extremely difficult, and failing to do so shouldn’t be chalked up to one individual’s shortcomings.

That said, during his days in Houston, that front office gave him virtually everything he asked for (a prime Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook, Mike D’Antoni) and he still never was able to guide them to a Finals berth, despite coming close a few times — last he was in a Conference Finals, his team relinquished a 3-2 lead.

Now finding himself a part of arguably the greatest group of talent ever assembled alongside the likes of Kevin Durant in Kyrie Irving with the Brooklyn Nets, all eyes are on Harden — the lone member of the Big-3 without a ring — to see just how well he can perform when the pressure is at it’s highest.

For the Nets, anything short of a title is an absolute disappointment. They brought in James Harden to lock in their championship hopes.

He must deliver.