If Harden cannot win the championship in his career, he must break through 30,000 points in total

On June 2, James Harden's career was already brilliant enough, from the Thunder's best sixth man, to the Rockets' MVP, to the Nets and the Sixers' core, he left a strong mark in NBA history in his own way. However, the championship ring has always been the biggest regret of his career. If the O'Brien Cup is ultimately unable to win, then the 30,000 mark will undoubtedly become another monument in his career.

### **Harden's scoring path: From substitute to super scorer**

Harden's scoring ability has long been recognized. In the 2011-12 season, he was only the sixth man for the Thunder, averaging 16.8 points per game, but after transferring to the Rockets, his scoring talent completely exploded. In the 2012-13 season, he averaged 25.9 points per game, officially joining the league's top scorers. In the following years, he continued to evolve, and averaged 36.1 points per game in the 2018-19 season, becoming another player who averaged 35+ per game in a single season after Jordan and Kobe.

His scoring methods are extremely rich, his signature three-pointer step back, sharp European breakthroughs, and precise foul-making ability make him a nightmare for defenders. Even though his athletic ability has declined at the age of 34, he can still contribute 20+ points steadily with his excellent rhythm control and basketball IQ.

### **How ​​much is the distance between 30,000 points? **

As of now, Harden's total career score has reached 27,931 points (as of June 2025), 2,069 points away from the 30,000 point mark. Based on his average score (about 18-20 points) and attendance rate (65-70 games) in the past two seasons, he only needs to play for another two seasons to easily break through this milestone.

If he can stay healthy and continue to be one of the team's main scorers, then at the end of the 2026-27 season, he is likely to become the 8th "Thirty Thousand Points" in NBA history. Currently, only LeBron James, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Wilt Chamberlain have achieved this achievement.

### **What does 30,000 points mean? **

In NBA history, 30,000 points are not only a symbol of personal ability, but also a proof of lasting peak state. If Harden can achieve this, he will completely lock in the Hall of Fame seat and further consolidate his position as an all-time scorer. Even without a championship, his influence will still be undisputed.

In addition, 30,000 points can also allow Harden to continue to rise on many historical lists. At present, his total score has surpassed legends such as Moses Malone and Elgin Baylor, and he will even have the chance to reach the top five in the future. If he can play until he is 38 or even longer, it is not impossible to surpass Kobe (33,643 points).

### **Health is the key, but Harden is still competitive**

Although he is getting older, Harden's style of play does not rely entirely on explosive power, but more on rhythm and skills. As long as he can avoid major injuries and maintain a stable playing time, it is almost a foregone conclusion.

More importantly, even if he is no longer the team's number one core, he can still help the team with his organizational skills and outside threats. If he joins a championship team in the future, he can even transform into a purer field control master and extend his career.

### **Conclusion: Is 30,000 points more realistic than the champion? **

For Harden, the championship needs the right time, place, and people, while 30,000 points depends more on his persistence. If he cannot win the championship in the end, then the impact of 30,000 points will be the perfect curtain call for his career. This is not only the ultimate recognition of his scoring ability, but also the best tribute to his long career.

In the next two seasons, as long as we stay healthy, we are likely to witness the birth of another "Mr. 30,000 points". For fans, Harden's legendary career is worth remembering whether there is a championship or not.