Houston Rockets star guard James Harden is confident that he belongs in the mythical list of top 10 players in the NBA following a word war between former teammate Kevin Durant and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.

Asked if he believes he is right there in the list of the ten best players in the NBA, James answered in the affirmative. "For sure. Last year I got a chance to prove it, I kind of broke out of the shell a little bit. Even though it was my first year [as a starter], I've got a lot more to prove. I've kind of always been the underdog, always been looked over, so it's nothing new," he was quoted by SI.com as saying.

His new teammate, center Dwight Howard who undoubtedly belongs in the list despite having a disappointing year with the Los Angeles Lakers last season, agrees with James' assessment. "No doubt. I think he has the ability to be one of the best shooting guards to ever play the game. He has a lot of talent. He works very hard, and he's young. He just turned 24 years old. The potential for him is through the roof. I believe in him, me and him can do some special things together."

Durant and Wade went at it on Instagram last week after the former hinted that Harden deserves to be in the top ten list instead of Wade.

After being the top sixth man in the league with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Harden established himself as perhaps the best 2-guard in the league by averaging 25.9 points, 5.8 assists and 4.9 rebounds in his first year with the Rockets.