Hold onto your hats, basketball fans, because history has just been made on the court! James Harden, the Los Angeles Clippers' powerhouse, has officially surpassed the legendary Shaquille O'Neal to claim the 9th spot on the NBA's all-time scoring list. But here's where it gets even more impressive: Harden achieved this milestone during a game against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday night, sinking a 3-pointer early in the third quarter that pushed his career total to 28,598 points in just 1,187 regular season games. Shaq, for comparison, scored 28,596 points over 1,207 games in his 19-year career. And this is the part most people miss—Harden’s journey to this point has been nothing short of remarkable, especially considering he entered the night averaging 25.6 points per game, his highest since the 2019-20 season when he dominated with 34.3 points per game and secured his third consecutive scoring title.
Now, let’s talk about the road ahead. Harden, who started Monday’s game with 28,582 career points in his 17th season, faces a daunting challenge to climb higher on the list. Wilt Chamberlain sits in 8th place with 31,419 points, achieved in a staggering 1,045 games over 14 seasons. At the top of the mountain? None other than LeBron James, who leads the pack with 42,601 points as of his game with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. Rounding out the top 10 are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki, and Kevin Durant. But here’s where it gets controversial—while Harden’s scoring prowess is undeniable, some argue that his playstyle, heavily reliant on isolation and free throws, doesn’t quite measure up to the dominance of players like Shaq or Chamberlain. What do you think? Is Harden’s achievement as impactful as those who came before him?
It’s not just scoring where Harden shines, though. He recently climbed to 12th place on the all-time assists list, proving he’s more than just a one-dimensional player. The 11-time All-Star also holds the second spot for most 3-pointers made in NBA history, trailing only the unstoppable Stephen Curry. As Harden continues to rewrite the record books, one can’t help but wonder: Where does he rank among the greatest players of all time? Is he a future Hall of Famer, or does he still have something to prove? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is a debate that’s sure to spark some heated discussions!
