James Harden is famous for his deadly step-back jumper, impressive three-point shooting and signature facial fuzz.The Cleveland Cavaliers star is known as ‘The Beard’ around the NBA and has rocked his patented look for as long as people can remember.Harden’s iconic beard is almost as famous as he isGettyHarden has been one of the NBA’s best players since 2009 but massively came up short in the Cavs’ quest for a title this postseason.James Harden comes up short in Knicks’ ECFs sweep of CavsCleveland were swept by the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.In the Game 4 closeout on Monday, Harden finished with just 12 points and two assists in 33 minutes.He had five turnovers and two buckets – his sixth game with more turnovers than buckets this playoffs. He averaged 19.6 points per game throughout the 2026 playoffs. Harden has now played in 191 playoff games without a championship, which is two behind Karl Malone for the most in NBA history.Those two players are tied for the most playoff wins (98) without a title.When asked about his recent playoff run during the post-game media session, Harden offered a surprisingly positive review. “I think I did pretty good … defensively, been extremely solid, and offensively, getting guys shots and fitting into a system that was already in place,” he said.On if the Knicks are better than the Cavs, he said: “It was 4-0, but I don’t think we had a chance as far as our best shot … Genuinely, I do feel like we are the better team. Series-wise, we didn’t show it.”James Harden looks unrecognizable without his signature beardLong before his time at the summit of The Association, former NBA MVP Harden was just another baby-faced baller looking to make it in the pros.Before he became an NBA superstar, Harden was an up and coming basketball player at Artesia High School in Lakewood, California.Harden and the Cavs were embarrassed by the Knicks and Jalen BrunsonGettyHarden’s quest for an NBA championship continuesGettyDuring his high school days, he was invited to play in the 2007 McDonald’s All-American Game where he starred alongside future NBA stars Kevin Love and Michael Beasley.Fast forward several years and Harden was honing his skills at Arizona State.Harden averaged 20 points per game in his second season with the Sun Devils as his beard started to take shape. However, at this point of his life, that iconic facial hair was still in its infancy.Harden’s older brother, Akili Roberson, once joked that Harden initially started growing his beard because he wanted to compete with him.“To be truthful I think he started growing a beard because he saw mine coming in and he got hair on his face,” Roberson said.However, the Cavs man disagreed.A beardless James Harden showcases his skills at a high school basketball camp in 2005GettyHarden’s iconic beard began taking shape during his time with the Sun DevilsGettyOn draft day in 2009 the beard was barely a blip on the radarGetty“You see his beard? It’s terrible, I didn’t get it from him, I just got it. I didn’t get it from him,” Harden said.Harden was subsequently drafted third overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2009 NBA Draft.His draft day photo showcased just how far he and his beard had come from his high school days.It was in OKC where both Harden’s NBA career and facial hair really began to take off.The uniquely skilled guard first made a name for himself as a Sixth Man, while his beard grew a reputation of its own.“Fear the Beard” became a popular mantra whenever Harden came to town.The volume on Harden’s facial hair began to increase playing alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, transforming into the impressive entity it is today.After losing to the LeBron James-led Miami Heat in the 2012 NBA Finals, Harden sought a new challenge and a more integral role. He joined the Houston Rockets which changed the trajectory of his career and catapulted him into superstardom.In episode 1 of Netflix’s Starting 5, Season 2, Harden explained what caused him to leave the Thunder.“My rookie year we lost to the Lakers who won a championship. My second year, we lost to Dallas when Dirk [Nowitzki] won his first championship. My third year, we lost to the Heat in the Finals when LeBron [James] gwon his championship. I was in a great space. My mindset was different. I’m coming in next year, championship for sure in Oklahoma City. It was over. It’s just one of those said stories for real,” Harden said.“It wasn’t about no real money. It was a couple million dollars. You know? To where it was like that’s what you do? you don’t see this thing through? I was mad too. ’cause I got the call..you see what we just did these last three years? It was like we’re gonna win the championship this year!..I was hurt. It was sad for real.”NBA's GreatestGreatest NBA players in the world right now – from Luka Doncic to Spurs phenom Victor WembanyamaBest players in NBA history to never win a championship – James Harden and Carmelo Anthony to Allen Iverson and Karl Malone10 richest owners in the NBA – family empires, media moguls and investment gurusMichael Jordan’s top 10 scoring games – counting down MJ’s most extraordinary totalsHarden averaged 25.9 points per game in his first season with the Rockets. By this point, he was combining his signature beard with a sharp-looking mohawk haircut.The 11x NBA All-Star would flourish into the game’s premier scorer in Houston, and was rewarded for his efforts with the 2018 MVP award.Across the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons, his beard grew to its fullest extent.By the time Harden joined the Nets and 76ers, his facial hair was more manicured than before but undoubtedly still one of the best in the game.Harden is widely considered one of the all-time great scorers, and in the conversation for one of the best shooting guards of all time.Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant are generally considered No.1 and No.2, with No. 3 more widely debated.The general consensus is that Miami Heat legend Dwayne Wade is No. 3, and Wade himself recently weighed in on the debate with him and Harden.“It’s going to be a lot of arguments about ‘Oh, he’s better because he scored more points. Oh, he’s better because I like his game better. He’s better because he won more rings.’ This conversation never goes anywhere… Winning a ring, it’s a whole different game than being a great player and having stats. I could have more stats if I didn’t care about winning a ring,” Wade said on the Time out podcast.Harden and Donovan Mitchell were supposed to lead the Cavs to the promised landGettyThey lost 4-0 to the Knicks in the Eastern Conference FinalsGetty‘The Beard’ was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021, but so far postseason success has eluded him.Along with Malone and Charles Barkley, Harden’s one of the best players in NBA history to never win a championship.He once said Steph Curry is the reason for that, given Curry’s dynastic Golden State Warriors dominated Harden’s Rockets in four playoff series in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.“That’s what it’s about. Year 16. Steph is obviously Steph. What he’s been able to accomplish his entire career, it’s unbelievable,” Harden said of Curry.“We’re all witnessing real greatness. The battles, the Warriors teams I had to go against, it’s probably the reason why I still haven’t gotten a championship yet. What he’s been able to do his entire career is unbelievable. I’m happy to be a part of something like that.”Harden’s championship woes looked to change late in 2023 when he was traded to the LA Clippers to play alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.Harden also joined LeBron, Oscar Robertson, and Russell Westbrook as only the the fourth player in NBA history to achieve at least 25,000 career points, 7,000 career assists, and 6,000 career rebounds.He’s now 9th on the all-time scoring list with 29,339 points and counting after passing Shaquille O’Neal.The Clippers finished the 2023/24 season with a 51-31 record and the fourth seed out West.However, they lost in the first round of the postseason to Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks – the eventual Western Conference champions.Two Harden enjoyed somewhat of a career resurgence, making the All-Star team for the first time since 2022.He helped the Clippers secure the West’s fifth seed in 2024/25 but they were beaten by Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets in seven games in the first round of the playoffs.On February 4, 2026, the Cavaliers acquired Harden from the Clippers in exchange for Darius Garland and a second-round pick.The Cavs had aspirations of winning a championship, but that fell short at the hands of the Knicks, and Harden’s search for a title continues.Stay up to date with the latest from the NBA across all platforms – follow our dedicated talkSPORT USA Facebook page and subscribe to our talkSPORT USA YouTube channel for all the news, exclusives, interviews and more.