If YOU were JAMES HARDEN - SUPERSTAR LIFE or CHAMPIONSHIPS?

This is NOT intended as a rag on Harden thread... I was as pissed as anybody watching Harden turn into a turnover machine in our last game. There have been numerous threads and conjecture about Hardens' partying... I've also seen numerous posts about how Harden is 25, young, a superstar talent and how further intensity, focus, desire or whatever will come in time/age... got me thinking about the superstar lifestyle in general...

Given his talent, I have no doubt Harden could become a player that could be in the future conversations with MJ and Kobe... Question is, how much does he even care about something like that?

I mean, let's be real... Harden likes living the superstar lifestyle - hanging with Drake, big booty strippers, and all the glam that comes with being a superstar. He can live that life AND still be in the running for MVP... The guy can continue to have a good time AND spend x number of years pulling in more money annually than most of us will ever see in a lifetime... he's set..

OR he could raise his intensity and focus, cutback the partying, live life with a devotion to the game and the intensity of MJ or Kobe and leave a greater legacy... and he's still set..

So given the choice of:
PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR AND BE RICH AS HELL!
or
WORK HARDER, WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS AND BE RICH AS HELL!

If U were James... which would YOU do?

Honestly, I can't say I'd buckle down to win championships... I mean life is short, right? If I've pretty much reached one of the pinnacles of existence and can enjoy ALL the indulgences and still command max money - where's my incentive? I mean winning championships would be phenomenal, but even if you buckle down, there's still a chance you come out the other side of 10 years broken with no ring like a Barkley or Reggie Miller... Carpe Diem right? seize the day! Live each day as it was your last... and all that rhetoric...

Most guys gotta stay focused to try and command bigger contracts because they have x # of years to maximize their earning potential... but if you're James Harden - either way, you are set for life if you manage your money right....

So as I said, this isn't necessarily about James Harden 'getting his priorities inline' or maturing or whatever, but more of a question of should he? would you given his options?

Just something to have fun with if inclned...

 

I think you can still devote yourself to the sport - and carve out a little something something for yourself along the way... I'm sure Mj, Kobe, Tiger.. all had their indulgences - but probably more in a methodical fashion than a partying style... if that makes sense....

 

Thing is... is it even about maturity? I mean if you show up and do your job to the best of our ability... Is what you do in your off hours a matter of maturity? Does it become more about the math of existence... You're rich - and realistically you got MAYBE 40-50 years to enjoy it... are you gonna limit that for 20 or 25% in pursuit of a ring?

 

Both a couple guys that worked harder than most and brought an intensity and desire that was always evident - and won a buttload of rings....

both also had their indulgences... but it typically wasn't out in the clubs makin it rain... lol

 

but how much of that change was out of necessity rather than desire? Normal people don't have guaranteed contracts... Is anyone gonna step at James if he shows up hungover to a practice (insert Allen Iverson - "we're talking practice" diatribe...lol) - would your boss step at you if you were hungover - lol!

Some guys lose focus due to family, trying to be a movie star or recording star or whatever else.... I'm sure the vast majority of people showup and do their job just fine - but rarely does someone devote themself to their job to level that we as fans would expect of Harden...

 

Oh there's no doubt James works his butt off.... ANY nba players has or does - even a Pig Miller or Tractor Traylor... guys that get made fun of prob work harder than most average people... question is - to what degree? I mean, I would figure a Kobe or a Jordan to be fanatical - which I'm sure harden is - but to what degree?

I mean only eating certain things and body is a temple kinda thing if you're an athlete - so would you never eat a burger?

And I don't doubt Harden wants to win - anybody would - but to what level are you willing to abstain from negative aspects?

 

just playin the odds... higher your level of devotion = better odds at success...

Hey the team played a great year. Harden had a phenomenal overall year. Add a couple pieces we may win a championship with James enjoying himself to the fullest....