The NBA world is currently having a heated debate about who is a better shooting guard: James Harden or Dwyane Wade?
This all started when former player Jeff Teague said on a podcast that he’d take Harden over Wade.
After that comment, everyone began to make their opinions known.
Speaking on First Take, Stephen A. Smith forcefully pushed back on Teague’s comments and claimed that Wade is clearly the better player, for one huge reason.
“Yes, individually, one-on-one, James Harden was absolutely spectacular and unstoppable,” Smith started.
But he then added: “That’s not all it entails. You got to know how to be a team player.”
.@stephenasmith says Dwyane Wade is a better SG than James Harden 👀 pic.twitter.com/LOfkqOwxkN
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 28, 2023
Smith, like many others, pointed out that Harden hasn’t remained happy with any team he’s been on.
He has demanded multiple trades, and he has received them
He has demanded multiple stars alongside him, and he has received them.
Yet, Harden has bounced around from team to team and seems to sour on each location after only a few seasons.
Meanwhile, Wade was very loyal during his 16 years in the league.
Although he technically played for three teams, he spent the vast majority of his time with the Miami Heat, where he won three championship rings.
Harden might have better skills than Wade in some regard.
For example, Smith admits that Wade could never shoot a three-pointer like Harden can.
He also said that Harden is one of the best one-on-one players in the history of the league.
But Harden is not the team leader that Wade was and that makes all the difference when it comes to ranking these two stars, according to Smith.
It’s about more than points and who can shoot the best.
Smith summed it all up with his closing statement: “D-Wade has three rings, and Harden has none.”
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