James Harden Defends Russell Westbrook amid Criticism: 'We'll Be in the Hall of Fame'

James Harden defended his former teammate after he and Russell Westbrook were back on the floor together during Saturday's game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Denver Nuggets.

"We're both inner-city L.A. kids," Harden said after leading the Clippers to a 109-104 win over Westbrook's Nuggets, per Law Murray of The Athletic. "When it's all said and done, we'll be in the Hall of Fame. That's a story right there. I'm happy he's happy and he's playing well. He's doing his thing here in Denver. So it's always happiness when we see each other."

The pair were teammates last season for the Clippers, as well as during the first three seasons of Harden's career on the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2009 to 2012. They were also together on the Houston Rockets during the 2019-20 season.

Harden is correct in saying they will both be in the Hall of Fame.

His resume features a league MVP, three scoring titles, two assist titles, seven All-NBA selections and 10 All-Star nods, while Westbrook's includes a league MVP, two scoring titles, three assist titles, nine All-NBA selections and nine All-Star Game nods.

Yet Westbrook is off to an ice-cold start in his first two games with the Nuggets this season.

He was 0-of-8 from the field in Saturday's loss after going 2-of-10 in the season-opening defeat to the Thunder. He is coming off the bench as a potential source of energy that can provide a spark to the secondary unit, but there have been some initial growing pains.

Fortunately for the Nuggets, it has been just two games. There is plenty of time for the future Hall of Famer to turn things around, especially for a team that needs quality depth after falling short in the second round of the playoffs last season.

And Harden will surely be cheering for him to do just that after having his former teammate's back Saturday.