Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie praised Los Angeles Clippers star James Harden as the greatest offensive player the NBA has ever seen.
Speaking on the “Run Your Race” podcast, Dinwiddie acknowledged Harden’s scoring prowess and playmaking skills, while noting two rising stars who could surpass him.
“He’s the greatest offensive engine that we’ve seen,” Dinwiddie stated, via HoopsHype. “The only two people I see really being able to surpass that are probably Jokic and Luka. And again, we’re not talking about ‘player’ because, you know, LeBron’s done what he’s done.”
Dinwiddie clarified his stance, emphasizing that the debate about the greatest player of all time revolves around LeBron James and Michael Jordan. However, he highlighted Harden’s unparalleled ability to dominate games offensively.
Harden, now 35, has consistently demonstrated his offensive versatility throughout his career. This season, he is averaging 22.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 8.3 assists in 33.8 minutes per game with the Clippers.
During his peak with the Houston Rockets, Harden put up historic numbers, including a career-best 36.1 points per game in the 2018-19 season. Over the course of his career, he has averaged 30-plus points in three different seasons while leading the league in assists twice.
Dinwiddie also pointed to Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic as potential successors to Harden’s offensive dominance. Jokic, a three-time MVP, is renowned for his ability to orchestrate the Denver Nuggets’ offense with precision passing and efficient scoring. Doncic, Dinwiddie’s teammate in Dallas, continues to amaze with his all-around offensive game at just 25 years old.
Harden’s combination of scoring and playmaking sets him apart, as he has averaged 10-plus assists per game in four different seasons. His ability to manipulate defenses and create opportunities for both himself and his teammates has been a hallmark of his career.
