James Harden Is Aging Like Fine Wine—How Is He Still This Good at 35?

As the regular season winds down, James Harden and the Clippers are in a fierce battle for playoff positioning. And if you take a closer look at Harden’s numbers, one thing stands out—his scoring has significantly improved compared to last season.

This year, Harden is averaging 22.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game, nearly putting up a 23-6-9 stat line. While those numbers don’t quite match his Houston Rockets prime, let’s not forget—Harden is 35 years old. Many players don’t even make it this far in their careers, let alone continue producing at an All-Star level.

So, what’s the secret to Harden’s longevity? Why isn’t he showing the same steep decline as other aging superstars?

Why Harden’s Game Is Built for Longevity

Unlike players who rely on speed and explosiveness, Harden’s style has never been about pure athleticism. He plays at his own pace, using footwork, deception, and elite ball-handling to create scoring opportunities.

Many players who rely on athleticism experience rapid decline as they age—especially if they lack a strong shooting ability. But Harden doesn’t have that problem. His shooting has no major weaknesses, and his step-back three remains one of the most unstoppable moves in basketball.

Another reason Harden has remained effective is his crafty finishing. Instead of forcing acrobatic layups that demand elite athleticism, he uses floaters and soft touch around the rim—skills that don’t diminish with age.

The One Skill Harden Never Mastered

If there’s one area Harden could have improved to extend his peak even further, it’s catch-and-shoot three-pointers. Unlike players like Stephen Curry, who seamlessly switches between on-ball and off-ball play, Harden has always been more comfortable as the primary ball-handler. If he had developed a lethal off-ball shooting game, he could have aged even more gracefully, staying dangerous in any offensive system.

Still, even without that particular skill, Harden’s longevity is impressive. It wouldn’t be surprising if he remains a high-level player until at least age 38. What do you think—how much longer can Harden keep this up?