Paul Pierce Explains Why James Harden Is Better Than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

James Harden is widely regarded as the third-best player on the Los Angeles Clippers. Sometimes, on his top days, he is the second best player.

Conversely, on a nightly basis, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is an MVP candidate the clear top dog on the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Despite that, according to Paul Pierce, Harden is still the superior star.

Pierce made the case for this claim on a recent podcast appearance.

“James Harden is still a bigger superstar than him,” he said.

“I don’t think Shai is a superstar yet. I think he on the verge of it. I think it’s still some places he can go, because they not on national TV every week. You know, he not in the commercial. He’s an emerging superstar. He has everything.

“James Harden is still a bigger superstar than [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander]. I don’t think Shai is a superstar yet… He’s an emerging superstar.”

Do you agree with Paul Pierce? 🤔

(via @allthesmokeprod)pic.twitter.com/3xv2QyK2YR

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 22, 2024

Michigan State Cheerleader’s Photos Cause A Stir Before North Carolina Game: https://t.co/QthIjkWmqd

— Game 7 (@Game7__) March 23, 2024

“The ingredients — he in the oven right now, lord. He in the oven. He ain’t came out the oven yet. Nah, not yet. No he’s not. He’s an emerging superstar. James Harden is still a bigger superstar than [Gilgeous-Alexander].”

As things presently stand, OKC boasts the top record in the Western Conference.

Duke Cheerleader’s Photos Cause A Stir After Vermont Win: https://t.co/bt0R58nQte

— Game 7 (@Game7__) March 23, 2024

Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging 30.9 points per Game on 54.4 percent shooting from the field and 37.6 percent shooting from three. He is playing incredible basketball by any objective observation, but apparently not good enough to earn Pierce’s respect.

Will 2024 mark the year that Gilgeous-Alexander leads the Thunder past the Clippers in the playoffs and cements his place as one of the league’s biggest stars? Time will tell.

Related: Duke Cheerleader’s Photos Cause A Stir After Vermont Win

Carlos Garcia

A longtime Sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB Games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.