The rivalry between James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo began to simmer a year ago, and now it seems ready to boil over. The two superstars have traded verbal jabs over the last few weeks, with the latest one coming from the Houston Rockets’ guard.

When Antetokounmpo picked Kemba Walker over Harden during the NBA All-Star Draft on Feb. 6, the Milwaukee Bucks’ star joked that he wanted “somebody that’s going to pass the ball.” Harden, who averages more assists than both Walker and Antetokounmpo, responded in a new interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols.

“I wish I could just run. And was 7-feet and (could) run and just dunk,” Harden said. “That takes no skill at all. I gotta actually learn how to play basketball and have skill.”

Antetokounmpo beat out Harden for the 2019 NBA MVP award in what was a two-man race. The Bucks’ star is a heavy favorite to win the award for a second straight year, while Harden isn’t considered much of a threat.

Harden leads the NBA in scoring for the third straight season. After averaging 36.1 points per game in 2018-2019, he’s averaging 35.2 points to go along with 7.3 assists and 6.4 rebounds this season.

Only Wilt Chamberlain and Michael Jordan have averaged more points than Harden did last year.

Harden plays 36.7 minutes per game and is asked to do more for his team than any other player in the league.

“I feel like I’m the best player,” Harden told Nichols when asked where he ranks among the league’s stars. “Throughout the course of the year, I don’t see double-teams from anybody else. Maybe Dame (Lillard). Obviously, he’s going on an amazing stretch. But usually, you see a double-team after you have a 50-point night or a 60-point night. If I have an 18-point night, the next game I’m seeing a double-team, which is pretty cool. The NBA has never seen it before.”

Houston is 38-20 and the No.4 seed in the Western Conference. The Rockets are two games out of the No.2 seed and 7.5 games behind the No.1 seed Los Angeles Lakers.

Antetokounmpo is averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists in 30.9 minutes per game. He’s also a Defensive Player of the Year candidate.

Milwaukee leads the NBA with a 50-8 record, on pace for the third-most wins in league history.

Milwaukee beat Houston 117-111 in the season opener. Antetokounmpo had a triple-double with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists on 17 field-goal attempts. Harden shot 2-13 with 19 points, seven rebounds and 14 assists in the loss.

The Bucks are scheduled to host the Rockets on March 25.

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James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets celebrates the 114-110 over the New York Knicks at the end of the game at Madison Square Garden on January 23, 2019 in New York City. Sarah Stier/Getty Images
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