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James Harden has given us so many memes over the years, between his outfits and his famous side-eye GIFs .

Now, we’ve got two new ones that came in his last two games, where we’re seeing Harden having fun again with the Los Angeles Clippers. That’s also come along with him playing some of the best basketball we’ve seen in him as of late — a 35-pint performance against the Pacers on Monday and a 17-5-11 contest in a win over the Mavericks.

But: let’s get to the memes. There’s one of him opening his mouth to a camera and the other is a reaction to a tough Kawhi Leonard bucket:

The first meme

https://t.co/N28UFlS5Oj pic.twitter.com/c5KfUqaPAt — LA Clippers (@LAClippers) December 19, 2023

can you make the harden scream a gif please admin 🙏🏾 — HoodieBev  (@HoodieBev) December 19, 2023

If that was Embiid he was going to flop into Luka. Harden couldn’t believe he’s witnessing REAL hoops. pic.twitter.com/mITRziUB5g — 𝑳𝒖𝒗𝒗 𝑩𝒓𝒐𝒅𝒊𝒆🏴‍☠️ (@HonourTheGift) December 21, 2023

Harden gave us a quality meme here 😂😭 https://t.co/jWmktUfWxA — Silver Surfer (@LindoSilver) December 21, 2023

Some more jokes

james harden is now a meme 🤡🤡🤦🏾‍♂️🤦🏾‍♂️🖐🏾 pic.twitter.com/zG2ug8GUDP — Isaiah Banks (@mrbanks2008) December 19, 2023

NEW HARDEN MEME JUST DROPPED LMAO pic.twitter.com/i6g3x5jaTi — BirdGang 🦅🔔 (+Flyers Playoffs Arc) (@kevin_baumann06) December 19, 2023

Harden acting like he did something pic.twitter.com/7WhSQqsfil — At The Buzzer (@AtTheBuzzer1) December 21, 2023

Wow pic.twitter.com/odTyv8hg7G — 🇬🇭 Quophi Pending 🇬🇭 (@am_pending) December 21, 2023

New James Harden scream GIF HAS DROPPED pic.twitter.com/QVVwHlMCwr — Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 19, 2023

James Harden making snow angels GIF pic.twitter.com/vMABzI2YnX — Oh no he didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) December 19, 2023

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The 6 funniest things about James Harden’s double-step-back travel that wasn’t called

Harden stepped back and then uhh did it again. That’s not allowed.

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Two things can be true about James Harden : He’s one of the best offensive players in NBA history, AND he gets away with a disproportionate amount of egregious travels.

Maybe it’s his left-handedness that catches referees off guard, or maybe the moves happen so quick in real time that it’s tough to blow the whistle.

Either way, look at this hot garbage double-step-back three:

What should we call this James Harden move? @ESPNNBA pic.twitter.com/C5cog9IhVB — SB Nation (@SBNation) December 18, 2018

This ... is a travel. Instead, Ricky Rubio was called for a foul in what was then a three-point game with less than a minute to go. (The Jazz lost by 5.)

I don’t even know what else to say. He took so many steps back he looked like someone trying to impersonate James Harden . And it almost looked fluent? Like, Harden maybe practices the step-step back-back knowing he won’t get called for a walk.

For those who need it broken down

Here’s step-back 1:

And here’s step-back 2:

Yep. That’s a travel. A real bad one. And a lotta people had stuff to say about it.

A few of the best moments from this:

• Candace Parker singing the “Running Man” song throughout the entirety of Harden’s step-backs.

If you listen back to the original video, Parker starts singing on the second playback.

THIS IS NOT NEW!

CP3 has called out the running man Harden move before.

"James Harden be doing the Running Man, and that's not a travel?" - @Candace_Parker #KGArea21 pic.twitter.com/ZgozL6am6s — KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) April 25, 2018

2. James Harden refusing to snitch on himself

James Harden: “What do you want me to say? Tell on myself?” https://t.co/XSdE77kijh — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) December 18, 2018

The Stepback King has no reason to tell the teacher he forgot to assign homework.

3. Ricky Rubio giving the no-answer, answer

Ricky Rubio on the Harden stepback++: Rubio: "You watch the play?" Me: "Yeah." Rubio: "What do you think?" Me: "I personally thought it was a travel." Rubio: "I'm not going to answer, but I think 100 percent of the people know the answer." — Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 18, 2018

The poor guy never learned how to defend that move.

4. Rudy Gobert in awe of the new move he learned

Rudy Gobert on the Harden step-back-into-the-step-back 3: "I didn't see it live, I saw the video. That's a new move." — Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) December 18, 2018

Nobody wanted to eat a fine after this one, huh.

5. Isaiah Thomas discovering how he can make his comeback

Come on cuz lol... There letting that happen now? Lol I’m really bout to be unguardable https://t.co/hMM7tYJaKT — Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 18, 2018

This is going to become the left-handed point guard move, isn’t it?

6. Andre Iguodala alerting the authorities on Twitter

@OfficialNBARefs — Danielson... (@andre) December 18, 2018

Hahaha the Warriors are absolutely done with this guy.

Did you enjoy this blog? See you here again, same time next travel.

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James Harden blatantly traveled on a step-back jumper, and NBA Twitter had a total meltdown

Twitter was abuzz after yet another controversial play by the reigning mvp.

It is safe to say that the officiating -- or non-officiating -- of James Harden reached a new low on Monday night in the Houston Rockets ' 102-97 win over the Utah Jazz .

While there was little doubt that Harden was absolutely phenomenal in leading his team to victory with a 47-point, six-rebound, five-assist night, there was a pretty ridiculous no-call during a key sequence late in the game.

With the Rockets leading 97-94 with roughly 54 seconds remaining in the contest, Harden pulled off a step-back jumper in which Ricky Rubio was called for a shooting foul. It wasn't just a step-back, however -- it was a double step-back, which means that it was a travel. Except the problem is, there was no travel called.

"It looked like he did two step backs." 😂 pic.twitter.com/k0V0AQLStB — NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 18, 2018

This was pivotal, because it should have been a turnover. The Jazz's Donovan Mitchell ended up hitting three free throws on the ensuing possession, which would have meant it would have been a tie ball game had a turnover been properly called.

Harden has received a lot of flack over the years. Whether it's because of all of the questionable foul calls he draws on offense or the perception that he doesn't get called for enough defensive fouls, there's a lot of criticism surrounding the way Harden is officiated by the refs.

Following this no-call on an obvious traveling violation, NBA Twitter had a lot of fun cracking jokes regarding how referees officiate the reigning MVP.

Come on cuz lol... There letting that happen now? Lol I’m really bout to be unguardable https://t.co/hMM7tYJaKT — Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) December 18, 2018

One of these days James Harden gonna do a quadriple thousands step back to the moon and I bet the refs won't even notice it and Stephen Curry won't believe it 😂 pic.twitter.com/P7xzbPJnmY — Harambae (@andikamajaya) December 18, 2018

James Harden 😂😂😂😂😂😂❤❤❤❤ — Lucas (@LucasMendes972) December 18, 2018

📍 James Harden looks like that silly @$$ crab from Spongebob in his movements! He’s a superstar & he’s gonna get that call! Michael & Kobe did! Allen Iverson palmed the ball for a long time. We’ve gone from palming to dribbling w/ no call. We need a Mueller investigation! https://t.co/WLDKhwleS2 — Brandon Robinson (@ScoopB) December 18, 2018

@OfficialNBARefs Any defense of the James Harden play today in which he was playing hopscotch while holding the ball? Can’t wait to start doing the new lethal double step back move in pickup games. — Matthew Dumas (@shootermtd25) December 18, 2018

The refs letting James harden get away with everything is making dislike James harden — Eric (@EpicMamba24) December 18, 2018

A journey of a thousand miles ... best describes a James Harden step-back three pointer. #Rockets — Sean Doe (@SeanFiveOne) December 18, 2018

@JHarden13 that is not a travel. That is a vacation. — RDII (@rawl_23) December 18, 2018

I’ll just say it: James Harden is anti-basketball. — Clay Merritt (@NotClayMerritt) December 18, 2018

One thing is for certain -- Harden is definitely "creative" on offense. He proved it in Monday night's win over the Jazz.

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James Harden or James Soften?

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James Harden has a knack for going viral. Here’s why that makes him perfect for the Sixers.

Harden’s basketball skills are almost secondary when it comes to his ability to go viral. Pairing him with a team that is equally energetic will only lead to more viral moments.

I cannot tell you that newly acquired 76er James “The Beard” Harden will help get Philadelphia a championship, but I can tell you this: Philadelphians on Sixers Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit have already won. Their treasure is forthcoming, one of memes, GIFs, and other viral content contained within the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Harden.

Internet connoisseurs say Harden’s facial expressions, beard, and mannerisms have among the largest digital footprints out of current hoopers. On the surface, it’s almost surprising that Harden out-internets more beloved, and dare I say “cookie-cutter,” players like Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Yes, Harden, the 2018 MVP, is easily one of the top 15 players in the league. But he’s been accused of phoning his talents in when he doesn’t want to play and a lack of loyalty for recent franchise moves.

Still, Brandon Wink, associate editor of meme dictionary “Know Your Meme,” described Harden’s basketball skills as being almost secondary when it comes to his ability to go viral. Pairing him with a team that is equally energetic and has a lot of chemistry will only lead to more viral moments from Harden.

“He shows that he’s having fun and people respond to that,” said Wink. “When he’s on the bench and one of his players makes a clutch shot, he jumps up and down, he gets excited. People love that.”

A prime example of that magic sauce can be seen in a photo of Game 2 of the 2011 Western Conference Finals. A young Harden and Kevin Durant, who are playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, are celebrating a shot in a close game against the Mavericks. Well, Durant is celebrating — leaning forward, arms clenched — Harden is looking up, sticking his tongue out.

Fans superimposed “MOM MADE PIZZA ROLLS” on the photo and the rest is internet history .

As Harden’s star rose, so did his exposure, Wink said. It’s easy to catch someone doing an iconic move when cameras are watching their every move.

In 2015 Harden would break the internet again. After scoring more than 40 points for the second night in a row, this time on the Houston Rockets, a sideline reporter asked Harden if he had “his rhythm going.” Harden’s response was a sassy eyeroll and a slide away from the reporter, ending the interview.

An exchange like that offers entertainment value to those who might not even know who Harden is, said Jeff McDevitt, a social video producer for the WWE who spends his days thinking about what makes content go viral, and a Sixers fan. He made a video ahead of the trade, highlighting some of Harden’s most meme-able moments.

McDevitt said Harden’s online appeal boils down to this idea that he’s a guy enjoying life, something especially true in his Houston years from 2012 to 2020.

“He was a dancing maniac pregame,” said McDevitt. “Every night at 6:30 when he was warming up, there’d be some video of him just grooving along to the music in the arena.”

Sometimes it’s good dancing, full of swag, sometimes it’s a silly face, other times Harden is caught upset because he didn’t get a call. In any case, it’s an organic detail that sets Harden apart from the heavily curated online content pushed out by franchises. Players posturing after a dunk in a GIF is not very useful to non-basketball fans.

A GIF of Harden bouncing a basketball in frustration and the basketball hitting him in the face? Perfect for when you accidentally remind your boss about a meeting.

Harden’s knack for becoming a meme will likely reach new heights with the Sixers, a team with players who understand the internet and a fan base that’s used to commiserating, celebrating, and defending their team during the almost decadelong Process .

Sam Hinkie, the Sixers general manager who fathered The Process, was hired in 2013, at a time when platforms like Twitter were exploding in popularity .

“The Process was a really big internet thing,” said McDevitt. “Since they were losing so many games on the court, everything was sort of decided on the court of the internet and social media of whether this was the right or wrong thing to do.”

And who could forget “Burnergate,” one of the team’s biggest scandals , which was all about how then-general manager Bryan Colangelo’s wife admitted to creating fake Twitter accounts where she disclosed sensitive franchise information and trashed players.

Thus The Process years steadily fed the fanbase, which was quick to give Hinkie the meme treatment.

Not to be left out, the team’s current centerpiece Joel Embiid has a strong grasp on internet culture himself, asking out Rihanna on Twitter and posting an obscure meme celebrating Ben Simmons’ trade to the Nets.

So while we don’t know how Harden will gel with the team, we can expect him and Embiid to break the internet on more than one occasion.

“Just wait till the playoffs,” said Wink.

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James Harden Traveling

'Look at Harden's feet': Critical no-call changed course of Wolves-Clippers

James Harden Travelled Egregiously Before Dishing Game-Winning Assist vs Timberwolves

T he Minnesota Timberwolves lost their 2nd-straight game of the season on Sunday, dropping them into 2nd place in the Western Conference. Should Wolves fans be concerned? Probably not. Anthony Edwards missed the 2nd half of their first loss (Friday) for the birth of his child, and their 88-89 loss today vs the Los Angeles Clippers should be under review, if that were a thing.

Why? Well, no game comes down to one play. But it is worth noting that the game-winning Clippers basket, which came with two minutes left to play in the 4th quarter, was on a James Harden assisted Kawhi Leonard layup in which Harden committed possibly the most egregious non-call travel in NBA history, which is saying something.

James Harden travels on play that beats Minnesota Timberwolves

On the play, Harden catches the ball at the top of the key, where he proceeds to take, count them – SIX STEPS before he tosses the admittedly beautiful bounce pass that put LA up two points, a lead they wouldn’t surrender.

Karl-Anthony Towns couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn and the Wolves, in general, were cold from deep most of the night. That is not a recipe for winning NBA games in 2024. So nobody is blaming referees for the Wolves’ L today.

Related: Minnesota Timberwolves Sign T.J. Warren to 10-Day Contract: Does This Impact Marcus Morris?

Nonetheless, these refs need to be held accountable at some point. How do you not call this travel? If you give me 30 minutes, I could teach my 12-year-old daughter (who has no idea what “travel” means outside of getting in an airplane) what a basketball travel is and she would be able to point this out in real time.

How an NBA referee missed it is beyond me. The Minnesota Timberwolves will play the 2nd half of a back-to-back on Monday night vs the awful Portland Trail Blazers. The perfect slumpbuster.

More must-reads:

• Minnesota Timberwolves Sign T.J. Warren to 10-Day Contract: Does This Impact Marcus Morris?
• Marcus Morris Agrees to Buyout with Spurs, Likely Landing Spot Still Minnesota