James Harden is always confident..sometimes too confident. To survive in the NBA, you need to believe in yourself. But Harden wants to do more than just survive.

Harden, despite playing behind Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder, eventually distinguished himself as one of the better offensive players in the game. He eventually forced himself out through a trade and ended up with the Houston Rockets where he became the focal point of their offensive attack.

Eventually, the Rockets acquired Dwight Howard from the Lakers, and they believed they could be a championship team. But last season, they were knocked off on the first round.

ESPN had the interview:

"Scoop: Bottom line, you are on this team and a lot of players aren't, but in your mind, who is the best basketball player alive right now?

Harden: Myself.

Scoop: That's what I was about to say, 'including you.' You made that sound like it was an easy answer.

Harden: It is. Myself.

Scoop: Then here's the question: Are you where you want to be basketball-wise, even if you are the best?

Harden: Nowhere near close. I've got a long way to go, a lot of learning to do, improvements to make. Um, you know, as long as I'm listening and focused on the right things, I can reach my potential.

Scoop: So in your mind, you haven't reached [your potential] yet?

Harden: Not even close.

Scoop: Then how do you get there? Does that come from work? Is it mental? Does it happen during the NBA season? What?

Harden: It comes through everything. Work ethic. Being in the gym all of the time. In events like this, learning from the best coaches, Coach K [Mike Krzyzewski], [Tom] Thibodeau and Monty Williams. Watching film. Watching other people play. I mean, you just, it's a variety of things where I learn and better my game."

The context of the interview was Team USA, and it's probable that he is the best player among that group since Kevin Durant departed, but he still says it's a team effort.

Still, not too many people will agree with his sweeping statement. We have this meme as proof: