There was a lot to like about James Harden's 2024-25 season, but it ended in disappointment, just like so many others. Harden once again failed to deliver in a Game 7 as the Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated in the first round by the Denver Nuggets, and Shaquille O'Neal has a theory for why he struggles in these big games.
"When you care, I can see it in your eyes," O'Neal said on The Big Podcast with Shaq. "We had a couple of Game 7s, and people didn't step up... I already knew they wasn't going to step up because it's the topic of conversation. If you have the I don't care attitude, you're going to take 30 shots, not f***ing eight, James Harden.
"When he was playing, I could tell he cares what people say," O'Neal added. "Still a Hall of Famer, you still make a lot of money, but you care what people say. You're just adding to your narrative."
Harden finished with seven points (2-8 FG), five rebounds, 13 assists, two steals, and one block as the Clippers lost 120-101 in Game 7 to get eliminated. Just eight shot attempts in a game of that magnitude were unacceptable.
Harden now averages 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 7.9 assists, 2.6 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game in Game 7s in his career and has a 3-4 record in them. The former MVP hasn't been the least bit efficient either, shooting 35.5% from the field and 22.4% from beyond the arc.
This latest loss meant Harden became the first player in NBA history to lose a Game 7 with four different teams. The 11-time All-Star's last defeat prior to this was against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 2023 when he was with the Philadelphia 76ers.
It was a similar story when it came to Harden in that loss to the Celtics. He had just nine points (3-11 FG), six rebounds, seven assists, two steals, and one block as the 76ers lost 112-88.
Harden is no longer the incredible scorer he once was when he won three straight scoring titles from 2018 to 2020, but you'd still expect a lot more from him in these critical games. As O'Neal stated, the 35-year-old is just adding to that narrative about him being a playoff dropper.
Despite all of Harden's struggles in the past, there was hope that things would be different this time around. He averaged 22.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.7 blocks per game in 2024-25 and was so impressive that he even earned a spot on the All-NBA Third Team.
Harden had 28 points in Game 6 against the Nuggets to help the Clippers stave off elimination. The stage was set for him to right the wrongs of the past, but he failed to deliver.
Someone who did not come up short in Game 7s during their career was O'Neal. He had a 3-1 record in them and averaged 26.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 0.5 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game. He shot at least 15 times in three of those four games and was the aggressive force that his teams needed him to be.
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SAN ANTONIO — De'Aaron Fox was supposed to take a tour of Asia a la Victor Wembanyama this summer, only his came with company. On July 8, Curry Brand announced its 2025 Curry Brand World Tour, set to feature both the San Antonio Spurs star and Golden State Warriors frontman Steph Curry beginning in August. Stops along the way included San Francisco, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Chongqing, China. Announced by Fox Friday afternoon, Curry will be making the trip solo. "Unfortunately, I won't be able to travel to Asia next month," the point guard said in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter. "This was a tough decision for me. I was really looking forward to traveling to ... meet all of you and show off the Curry 2s and experience the incredible basketball culture in Asia." Fox didn't provide a reason for his cancellation, and no official statement beyond the video has been made by Under Armour, Curry Brand, or the Spurs. "I'm truly sorry," he said. "Your love for the game and unmatched enthusiasm set you apart from any other fanbase in the world." The Spurs' point guard recently recovered from a pinkie surgery he underwent on March 17 to repair ligament damage sustained during training camp while still with the Sacramento Kings. Since then, he and the team have prioritized building chemistry ahead of next season. “We should be clear, me and Vic, ... around the same time," Fox said at the end of the regular season. "So, we’d be able to get together in the summer and be able to work with each other.”
As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to search for different ways to improve the roster, one area where the team needs help is depth. This could see Toronto's front office explore multiple options to bring more talent to the team. And it seems that the Maple Leafs are being linked with a former All-Star to help bolster the team. That would be veteran Max Pacioretty, who spent this past season with the Maple Leafs. Toronto and reportedly have mutual interest in a reunion, but nothing has come about yet. Pacioretty was rumored to be retiring earlier in the offseason, but it seems that he could return for another season. The veteran only played 37 games for the Maple Leafs this past season, mainly due to injury. With the Maple Leafs, Pacioretty scored just five goals and put up eight assists. Since his time on the ice was limited, the veteran may want to come back to prove he can still produce. This would give Pacioretty a chance to go out on his own terms, rather than leaving following an injury-riddled season. Pacioretty would give the Maple Leafs some needed depth, and he could play an important role in the backend of the lines. While the veteran isn't the same player that he once was, he could still give this team a jolt if he can stay healthy. But whether he decides to return or call it a career remains up in the air. However, it seems that if he does return for next season, the Maple Leafs may be the only team that he considers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers' signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers was an immediately polarizing move that did not sit well with large portions of the fan base. It also did not sit well with one of the team's all-time greatest players, four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw initially referred to the signing of Rodgers as a "joke" and that he should "stay in California and go chew bark" in reference to Rodgers isolating himself in a darkness retreat last year. On Saturday, Rodgers finally had a chance to respond to Bradshaw and did so with a combination of taking the high road, and also trying to make light of it. “I whisper to the gods every single day. I’ve known Terry for a long time, being a part of Fox. Terry’s a legend. He’s an absolute legend. He won four Super Bowls. He’s had a legendary career in the media. But Terry, like a lot of people, doesn’t know me. And so, he’s got an idea of what he thinks about me based on what I’ve done, the documentary, what I’ve said, darkness retreat, whatever the hell you want to talk about. I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level. I feel like if he gave me a chance to get to know him, then we’d have a good friendship." He ended the answer by saying, "So, I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level if he’s open to it. And maybe we can go chew some bark or whatever the hell he’s talking about together.” The Steelers were in a pretty desperate quarterback situation this offseason after completely overhauling the position for a second year in a row. They missed out on the chance to re-sign Justin Fields, let Russell Wilson walk, missed out on every other veteran who changed teams and passed on the opportunity to select a quarterback near the top of a weak quarterback draft class. (They ultimately selected Ohio State's Will Howard in the sixth round.) The whole Rodgers saga has been quite a soap opera for the Steelers as they waited around for months while he decided on whether or not he wanted to play this season, and if he wanted to play for the Steelers. Add in the fact he has had a tendency to cause some off-field distractions with his comments and weekly "Pat McAfee Show" appearances, as well as the fact he will turn 42 years old this season and hasn't been a top-tier quarterback in three years, and a lot of Steelers fans — and former players — were put off by the idea. The only thing that will matter in the end, however, is how Rodgers plays on the field. He has said all of the right things since joining the team, and his new teammates have all spoken highly of him so far, but it will still come down to results on the field. The Steelers have not won a playoff game in eight years and are facing added pressure each year to end that drought. They are hoping Rodgers has one more good year in him to help them advance in the postseason.
Three days into training camp, with a day off Saturday, the Green Bay Packers announced the final signing to fill the 91-player offseason unit: cornerback Garnett Hollis Jr., added as undrafted free agent by the Titans in May but released later to clear roster room. Hollis joins Green Bay Packers’ motley crew of CBs behind top 3 guys Hollis played four seasons in college, his last with West Virginia after transferring from Northwestern. In three years of real playing time, he recorded 120 tackles, 2 INTs, and 12 passes defensed. He started 29 of 39 career games. The 6-foot, 199-pound corner is a native of Nashville, Tennessee, but will head back north for the summer. The Packers have announced that he will wear no. 41 during camp. Although the 90th and 91st signings were named together in the team’s formal release, the arrival of running back Israel Abanikanda, a waiver pickup from San Francisco, was reported yesterday by various sources. Over at cornerback, Hollis will join fellow rookies Jonathan Baldwin, Tyron Herring, and Micah Robinson, Green Bay’s penultimate pick of the 2025 draft at 237th overall. In addition to that group is a number of fringe players with or without NFL snaps. Bo Melton has also completed his CB position switch from receiver. The only sure things at the position are Keisean Nixon, free agent signing Nate Hobbs, and third-year man Carrington Valentine. According to his West Virginia bio, Hollis earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern in education and social policy, and worked toward a master’s in sports management while with the Mouintaneers. Although undrafted free agents, let alone 91st signings, have an uphill battle, playing alongside a guy like Valentine, who has made a career for himself as a former 232nd pick, can offer encouragement. Per Spotrac, Hollis, 23, made $82,500 in guaranteed money, including a $12,500 signing bonus, from his contract with Tennessee.