Birmingham to host NBA preseason game in 2018, featuring star James Harden Birmingham is set to host a preseason NBA game in 2018. NBA star James Harden appeared as part of announcement at Parker High that Birmingham will host an NBA preseason game featuring the Houston Rockets. The exact date remains undetermined. Harden stars for the Rockets and was runner-up in last year's NBA MVP voting. The announcement came in conjunction with the finale of the "Summer of Opportunity" initiative hosted by BBVA Compass for young people throughout the Birmingham area. Preseason exhibition NBA games have taken place in Birmingham in the past. The Charlotte Bobcats and Atlanta Hawks played at the BJCC in 2005, while the Orlando Magic and Atlanta played there in 2006. Back in 1999, Birmingham hosted the Detroit Pistons and Houston Rockets.
