James Harden hasn't looked like his MVP self for the past couple of seasons. His performance in the final game of the Philadelphia 76ers' season cements that as the new reality.
The Sixers fell to the Miami Heat in Game 6 after a complete second half collapse with their season coming to an end on their own home floor. James Harden's lackluster performance sticks out as a big reason why.
The Beard finished with just 11 points in contest to go along with four rebounds and nine assists. The shocking part in checking the Sixers box score is that there's a goose egg in an unexpected column – free throws.
James Harden finished with zero free throw attempts in the contest, the first time he's ever done that throughout his entire career when playing at least 40 minutes.
James Harden averages 8.7 free throw attempts for his career and owns seven seasons averaging over 10 per game. He averaged 8.9 attempts per game in 21 games with the Sixers this season. He became the poster child for drawing fouls to such extremes that the league had to step in and regulate some of foul-drawing methods players have used in recent seasons.
In a game where the Sixers needed him aggressive and laying it all out on the floor, he failed to draw a single foul, which is arguably his best skill.
Obviously there are injuries at play here with his ailing hamstring and James Harden has infamously had poor showings in big games. But if there's any sign that his best days are behind him, this is likely it.