To most basketball fans, James Harden's beard is as legendary as his step-back three. So when an AI-generated photo stripped the LA Clippers guard of his iconic facial hair, the internet couldn't look away. The altered image went viral, but beyond the jokes and shock was a reminder of how the beard became a symbol of Harden's identity, confidence and journey in the NBA.
James Harden never set out to make a statement with his beard. In fact, as he once told The Starters in a 2016 interview, the beard began as a simple act of convenience during his college years at Arizona State.
