Thunder vs Rockets: Not just another game
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 Nov 2012
CHICAGO -- There are 11 games on tap in the NBA in this cold, wintry Wednesday night. Just another busy day in the tedious regular season calendar.
But out there in Oklahoma City, tonight's game isn't just another 48-minute smackdown. It's the return of James Harden, the former Thunder who was traded to the Houston Rockets late last October when contract negotiations fell through.
Upon his arrival in Houston, Harden immediately inked a five-year extension worth $80 million. It's a little more money than Oklahoma could afford because the Thunder are already flirting with the salary cap limit. Just this season alone, the Thunder's Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook collect a combined $30.3 million in salaries. And next season, the annual installment of Serge Ibaka's four-year $50 million contract extension also kicks in.
If he had taken a pay cut, like Durant and Westebrook did before signing their long-term deals with Loud City, this Thunder wouldn't have been stolen by Houston.
Why didn't the Bearded Wonder stay?
Did the NBA's reigning Sixth Man depart OKC for more money?
Or did Harden land in Houston to be the Main Man instead of being only the third option behind Durant and Westbrook?
Well, only Harden knows. Unfortunately, he's not sharing. Very tight-lipped.
What's talking, though, and very loudly so, is Harden's game.
The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Harden jumpstarted his Rockets career by scoring 82 points in his first two outings. He has since cooled off but his 25.1 points a game average is fourth best in the league. The 23-year old Arizona State University alum also whips 4.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists per in 14 games.
Although the Rockets are a disappointing 7-7 in the standings, Harden seems happy and content beneath his new jersey. He is playing with the same fire, passion and unbridled joy that have come to define his budding three-year NBA career.
It's easy to assume that the wonderful, basketball-loving folks out there in Oklahoma are happy for Harden and his filthy rich contract. But, believe me, there is no such thing as a happy divorce.
When Harden performs at the Chesapeake Energy Arena tonight, the once friendly den turns into an enemy lair.
So, will the Thunder fans give Harden a polite cheer, or a bitter, angry jeer?
I don't know. What I do know is that there will be a lot of good basketball to be played.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
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