ESPN's basketball writer Scoop Jackson recently sat down with Houston Rockets shooting guard James Harden. Eventually, Jackson asked Harden who he thought was the best basketball player alive.

Harden responded by saying, "Myself."

Since joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2009, Harden has been a top quality scorer. He's capable of scoring from anywhere on the floor, and his passing game has improved every year. Harden has averaged over 25 points per game in both seasons with the Rockets.

But Harden is dreaming if he truly believes he is the best player in the world.

Harden doesn't play great defense, or any defense for that matter much of the time. His lack of defense led the Rockets to a first round exit in each of the last two postseasons. In neither of those series were the Rockets even able to force a seventh game.

Harden's comments and attitude symbolize this Rockets squad.

Although Harden is very talented, he's not realistic or the best teammate. Refusing to show a dedication to defense has set a bad example for the team. Dwight Howard is considered one of the best players in the today's game, but he too lacks leadership. Howard has shown that he would rather have a good time instead of improving his game where it's needed.

Howard's free throw shooting hasn't been at 60 percent since his rookie season. Veteran point guard Steve Nash attempted many times to help Howard with his free throws, but he declined.

Harden recently said:

"Dwight Howard and I are the cornerstones of the Rockets. The rest of the guys are role players or pieces that complete our team. We've lost some pieces and added some pieces. I think we'll be fine next season."

It was also later rumored that both Harden and Howard eat separate from the rest of the team.

Obviously Harden and Howard are the two best players on the Rockets, but for Harden to say the rest of the team are just "role players" is a smack in the face. After winning 54 games last season, and finishing with the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference, Harden was nowhere to be found on defense. Not much of a "cornerstone" player.

This is also the same James Harden who disappeared in the 2012 NBA Finals.

Howard faced a lot of criticism after he left the Los Angeles Lakers from former teammates. Both Jameer Nelson and J.J. Redick fired at Howard about their playing days in Orlando with the Magic. They both acknowledged that Howard always wanted to focus on being in the media and limelight, rather than focus solely on winning.

Former NBA Center and current NBA analyst on TNT Shaquille O'Neal has called out Howard multiple times before as well.

The Rockets are still a good team, one of the best in a heavily loaded Western Conference. They have a lot talent, and will no doubt be in next year's postseason. But in the process, their two best players have to show more leadership and a commitment to the team going forward.

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