Game Five Is A Must Win For James Harden’s Career, Says NBA Analyst
The Houston Rockets lead the Oklahoma City Thunder 48-45 at the half. James Harden led the way for the Rockets with 20 points, two rebounds and two assists. On the other side for the Thunder, Dennis Schröder led them in scoring with 19 points, one rebound, and one assist.
The series is currently tied 2-2, but if asked Brendan Haywood, who is one of the hosts of ‘ The Opinionated 7-Footers podcast ‘, shared that game three against the Thunder is a most win not only for the series, but his entire career.
“Tomorrow I don’t know what the games are going to look like, but one game that I will be looking at is OKC versus Houston. This is a must win game for James Harden’s career… Career! They [Houston Rockets] can’t lose this series, if they go down three-two OKC will find a way to win one of those games,” said Haywood. “Down the stretch if they go down 3-2. James Harden and them boys got to get this game they were just up 2-0. There is no home court advantage. This is one of the most important game in James Harden’s career.”
He would continue on Harden’s career.
“If James Harden doesn’t make it out of first-round against OKC, every time he goes into the playoffs and doesn’t do well. It just makes people discount even more what he does in the regular season. James Harden at 6:30 pm Eastern time, he better bring it all, and not leave nothing on the floor. The lefty jumper better be floating because man if they don’t win this game, James Harden’s career people are not going to take it, I mean he is still great, but are going to say he scores when doesn’t matter.”
Harden has struggled in the postseason dating back to his time in Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2012 NBA Finals.
The Rockets lost against the Golden State Warrior in the Western Conference Finals in 2018, and against the Warriors in the 2019 Western Conference Semifinals in six games.
“We let opportunities slip away, opportunities in the last game, opportunities in Game 1 and 2,” said Harden.
“It was a pretty good year for us.”
The current scored at the release of this article 91-67 Rockets at the 9:12 mark in the fourth quarter.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
