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Brooklyn Nets Star James Harden Talks Title Aspirations, Leadership Role, Therabody Investment

May. 19, 2021
Brooklyn Nets Star James Harden Talks Title Aspirations, Leadership Role, Therabody Investment

The only thing missing on Brooklyn Nets star James Harden’s Hall of Fame resume: a championship.

Harden maneuvered his way to Brooklyn — even turning down a $100 million extension with Houston to get there — to get another shot at that elusive ring. And with the playoffs set to get underway this weekend, he certainly has a chance to lift the Larry O’Brien Trophy playing alongside Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.

“It goes without saying, competing for a championship and winning a championship is the ultimate goal,” Harden said through his PR team as part of an announcement for his latest investment and ambassadorship — Therabody. “That’s the goal of every player in the league, but only one team can win the trophy. We’re playing really great basketball right now, and we’re looking forward to competing in the upcoming playoffs.”

Harden has an MVP, Sixth Man award, three scoring titles and nine All-Star teams to his name. He just doesn’t have that ultimate postseason success. In his last six elimination games, Harden has averaged 23.8 points on 38 percent shooting with 6.7 turnovers. Granted, the script might be different had Chris Paul not gotten injured during the 2017-18 Western Conference finals against the dynastic Golden State Warriors.

After his Jan. 14 trade to the Nets, Harden has proven to be a perfect blend of all-world talent, leadership and sacrifice. With him in the lineup, Brooklyn went 29-7 en route to a 48-24 record and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Harden also tied Jason Kidd with a franchise single-season best 12 triple-doubles. “The Beard” is not afraid to be confrontational with his teammates as needed, while also balancing that with encouragement — especially for the younger guys on the squad.

“I’m trying to be a great team leader, no matter what team I’m with, and being a good vocal leader is all about communication,” Harden said. “Throughout my career and even in college, I was always told to speak up, be vocal, and make sure your teammates hear you. That’s what I did with Houston and what I’m doing now with Brooklyn. Great leadership always circles back to communication.

Off the court, Harden’s investment portfolio includes Therabody, Bodyarmor, Pura, Gopuff and the Art of Sport. On the court, he has earned an estimated $224 million, according to Spotrac.

“I’m proud of all the investments I’ve made because they’re all organic and authentic to who I am and what I believe in,” Harden said. “I never invest in products or brands that I don’t find personal value in or where I don’t align with their vision.”

Therabody is the latest addition to Harden’s portfolio, a company dedicated to technology that improves athlete wellness and recovery — which includes their RecoveryAir compression boots. Despite suffering a hamstring injury that caused him to miss 20 of 21 games late this season, Harden has largely been known for his durability throughout his career.

“I invested in Therabody earlier this year because I truly believe in the company and the vision they have for the future,” Harden said. “What Therabody offers with their products is common in my world as a professional athlete, but it should be available to everyone because it can truly help everybody— and that’s what Therabody is making possible.

“By taking this partnership to the next level and becoming an athlete ambassador for Therabody, my hope is to help spread that message. I am lucky enough to have been taught the importance of taking care of my body by world-class trainers, but serious self-care shouldn’t just be for the professional athlete. I love that Therabody shares that belief with me and is really setting out to break down those barriers in the wellness space.”


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