What does an artist do when frustrated and feeling lacklustre? Seek inspiration of course! That is Sexactly what Filip Periac, an illustrator did when he felt he was in a rut! A obsessive basketball fan, he hit upon the idea of a crazy personal project of creating portraits of his favourite NBA player James Harden, known for his distinctive beard. Thus while in one illustration, Harden’s beard became a giant whale and in another it manifested itself into a map of a fictional country named, none other than…wait for it ‘Hardenia’!

The Man and His Muse

The bearded NBA star could not help but take notice when this bizzare project of a series of 26 images went viral who acknowledged the artist saying that his images were “dope” but also used a few as a backdrop during his interviews. What we are saying is James Harden without a beard is almost as unimaginable as Christmas without Santa Claus! If you follow basketball even if you are not obsessed with the game, it is unlikely for you not know James Harden. Not just because he is one of the best scorers in NBA but because of his signature beard!

In fact James Harden’s beard is so legendary that fans almost cannot believe that James Harden without a beard was even a possibility in childhood! Contrary to popular fan theory, it was not always that James Harden had his signature beard. James Harden without long beard was very much a reality during his high school days when he looks like every other clean shaven gawky teen! So how did the legendary beard begin? While Harden has a tough time remembering when was the last time he “saw his chin” and been James Harden without full beard, he has confessed that experiment with facial hair began in college.

The Many Faces of James Harden

There is pictorial evidence of the fact Harden did experiment with several looks before growing out his signature lumberjack beard. During his early days in college he was seen sporting a very light moustache with a light trimmed chin goatee. Next came in the pencil moustache that extended to join his from both sides to join his chin goatee. Next came in a trimmed beard that progressed into a stubble and soon James Harden was too lazy to continue experimenting with different looks as basketball took centre stage.

Thus what began as laziness soon became a lucky charm. His style and throw soon began to attract attention and pull in crowds to the stands. While he darted across the basketball court people referred to him as the beard, and his career catapulted James Harden without long beard was history! What is simply too much of a coincidence is the steady rise of Harden’s career graph as he grew out his awesome man beard!

Is it The Man or His Beard?

His ardent fans and even critics believe that it is his magnificent beard that gives him the confidence to play with formidable force, take bigger risks and make the opposition nervous! In fact there are fan theories that go to the length of stating that Harden owes his career success to his beard! While at Arizona State he was a ‘beard’ as stated earlier, it wasn’t until his second season in the NBA did ‘the beard’ began manifesting as we know it today.

By the third season Harden had transformed from an average looking guy with a chin that was too narrow to a handsome dude with knowledge of some great truth! It seemed as though the beard had given him wisdom beyond his years, that worked its magic.

Although it seems far fetched to say that James harden would not have been quite the star as we know him today without his beard, there is no denying that it has done wonders for his personality. And why not? If merely changing one’s posture like standing with the hands on the hips gives one confidence, why couldn’t magnificent facial hair work wonders for a professional basketball player like James Harden?

CONTENTS:

Today, the NBA star who is unmistakeable on the court, regularly buries three point shots from positions that are way beyond the arc making it impossible for the opposition to defend such moves. “Fear the Beard” is the chant from the stands when Harden arrives on the court! Naturally then, his fans are nothing short of crazy for him. While some like Periac pay tribute to him with their art form, there are others who follow him around like a cult attending each game with fake beards on!

The Money is Where The Beard is

Today James Harden without a beard is literally impossible. He has had a seven year dream run with facial hair and no one apart from his specialist barber is even allowed to trim it all the time from 2014! It’s not just the fans who are riding high on the beard but there is an estimated $18-20 million riding on it too by way of endorsements. Harden endorses several brands like Papa John’s pizza State Farm, Hulu, Foot Locker and Beats by Dre.

While other brands rely on his dry sense of humour and extravagant personality, a confectionary brand called Trolli has simply given the beard centre stage! The tongue in cheek press conference even stated had the beard talking while the rest of James Harden was “had to go elsewhere”. It indeed seems like the beard has a personality of its own and it sure seems as though it has a hold on the man!

There is never a dull moment on his twitter account or Instagram handle that is predominantly about his beard! While there are times he admits that there are troubles that he faces because of his beard, such as food getting into it all the time that makes it impossible for him to eat in front of strangers or the girl he is dating, it is evident that is he too much in love with his beard for the fear of “something bad” happening! Thus James Harden without a beard is not going to be a reality anytime soon!

Although he does not admit it openly, maybe he believes heart of hearts that James Harden without long beard would be no NBA star but perhaps only an good professional basketball player!