“James Harden has to win a ring in 2021 or it’s a bust”: Shaquille O’Neal goes off on Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving’s newest Nets teammate

Shaq lays into James Harden and his postseason failures, says that he needs to win a ring with the Nets in 2021 or else it’s a bust.

The Brooklyn Nets went all out when trading for James Harden. What was presumed to be a package that would include around 5 FRPs, ended up being 8; all of which are unprotected and lead into 2028.

The Nets do not have their own first round pick until 2028 and are banking on their new trio of ball dominant superstars to bring their organization to the promiseland

A multitude of NBA analysts have poured in their thoughts on the James Harden trade. Many claim this will not work out because of the ‘fit’ alongside Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Others such as Zach Lowe are more optimistic about this “3-headed monster on offense”.

Also Read: ‘I’m 36, stop throwing the ball; Kyrieee’: LeBron James hilariously reacts to James Harden’s Nets trade

Shaq takes shots at James Harden and says he has to claim the championship with the Nets

James Harden isn’t who he is without his postseason misfortunes. The Golden State Warriors were perhaps the biggest hurdle in Harden’s career. A hurdle he was one game away from clearing in 2018, if it weren’t for 27 consecutive misses from beyond the arc.

Shaq references the ‘Beard’s’ lacklustre performances in games that matter. He said, “When you (Harden) say that you gave Houston your all; that isn’t true. The Rockets gave you Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, sharpshooters, and your Russell Westbrook, and it didn’t work out.”

“Harden didn’t do anything. He didn’t step up when he was supposed to step up. Now he’s got his little superteam, he’s got to win this year. If he doesn’t win this year it’s a bust.”

“He got his superteam. He has to win this year. If he doesn’t win this year it’s a bust.” @SHAQ reacts to Harden being traded to Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/YSTlqewqB7

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 15, 2021

Also Read: ‘LeBron James will be the GOAT over Michael Jordan if he beats the Nets’: Lakers star’s former teammate explains why a win over James Harden and Kevin Durant would be special

When you have players like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on your team, there shouldn’t be too many excuses as to why things didn’t work out.

James Harden is an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2023. So the Nets technically have time until then to claim their first ever championship. However, with KD and at the tail end of his prime, as Shaq said, Harden needs to step up.