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[SI cover] The unlikely MVP candidate, James Harden

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by J.R., Feb 17, 2015.

  1. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    Story

    [​IMG]

    Houston Rockets star guard James Harden is recognizable just about anywhere he goes. He is 6’5” -- but what gets most people’s attention is a beard that has become just as well-known as his talents.

    “Sometimes I want to rip it off and be a kid again,” says Harden, who graces Sports Illustrated's national cover this week. Harden, who is profiled by SI senior writer Lee Jenkins, is one of three shooting guards featured in this week's magazine, along with Golden State's Klay Thompson and the Bulls' Jimmy Butler.

    Whether Harden ever loses his trademark beard remains to be seen. Until then, Harden will just have to settle for being one of the best players in the NBA.

    It took a few years for the 25-year-old Harden to reach star status in the NBA. He was shipped to Houston in 2011 from Oklahoma City, where he spent the first three seasons of his career in a reserve role.

    Harden was notoriously known, especially during his first two seasons in Houston, as being aloof, not speaking much after games and providing little insight on the real James Harden.

    “I was being lazy, being tired, wanting to go home and relax,” he said. He also became a running joke around the league for his lack of playing defense.

    “I put defense on the backburner,” Harden admits now.

    Harden is now the focal point of the Houston team, leading the NBA in scoring at 27.4 points a game (on 46 percent shooting). He also averages 6.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds for the Rockets, who entered the All-Star break at 36-17, tied for fourth place in the Western Conference.

    Now an Olympic Gold medalist, a three-time All-Star, former NBA Sixth Man of the Year and being named first-team All-NBA last season, Harden is confident about his status in the league.

    “I see an opportunity to become one of the best players in the world,” he says. “I could be the best player in the world.”

    http://www.si.com/nba/2015/02/17/houston-rockets-james-harden-sports-illustrated-cover
     
    #1 J.R., Feb 17, 2015
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2015
    1 person likes this.
  2. KingStevo10

    KingStevo10 Member

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    Ohhhhh yea SI shown some love!!!

    Gotta cop that!
     
  3. vstexas09

    vstexas09 Contributing Member

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    *Shipped from OKC to Houston in 2012....how can a sports mag not fact check?

    nonetheless, proud to see the bearded one get some love
     
  4. OlajuwonFan81

    OlajuwonFan81 Member

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    Makes me want to go out and purchase a copy.
     
  5. lean

    lean Member

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    I was so stoked when we got him in 2012, had no idea he would get this good though. So thankful to have a player like this in Houston.
     
  6. BamBam

    BamBam Contributing Member

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    Congrats to The Beard for being the on the cover of SI! I love how the cover is a beautiful Rockets Red!!! Admitting to being lazy on defense is a positive step in the right direction! He's definitely worthy of being the MVP THIS YEAR!

    Thanks for sharing J.R. !

    .......
    .......
    .......
     
  7. BackNthDay

    BackNthDay Member

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    Baby Dream, hopefully he can lead us to championships.
     
  8. Deckard

    Deckard Blade Runner
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    The first of many SI covers, I hope.
     
  9. ApuN

    ApuN Member

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    Okay clutchfans, is he a superstar now??
     
  10. davidio840

    davidio840 Contributing Member

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    I will definitely get me a copy of this!


    Anyone who disputed that is a first class idiot.
     
  11. JoeBarelyCares

    JoeBarelyCares Contributing Member

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    Nooo! Beware the dreaded S.I. cover jinx!
     
  12. linvetb6

    linvetb6 Member

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    Unlikely?


    Wtf thats some more disrespect. Hes front runnner!
     
  13. chenjy9

    chenjy9 Numbers Don't Lie
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    I believe that was Yolo. You can be a superstar without any post season success; just ask T-Mac.
     
  14. heypartner

    heypartner Contributing Member

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    They mean "unlikely" in terms of what people were saying before the season began.

    Look at the subtitles:

    "The Unlikely MVP. "
    "The Unlikely Turnaround"
    "The Unlikely Breakout Star"

    They're actually calling him their MVP in context.
     
  15. HouStu_Rocket

    HouStu_Rocket Member

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    At least Harden will secure that scoring title if MVP falls through but the dude absolutely deserves it as much as anyone else
     
  16. Scionxa

    Scionxa Contributing Member

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    Looks like it's fixed now but noticed that as well
     
  17. SF3isBack!!

    SF3isBack!! Member

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    I think it's a way of admitting they didn't expect it, but here it is.
     
  18. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    No. Not enough jeans commercials.
     
  19. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Hopefully it will jinx the full Warriors team!
     
  20. cdrive

    cdrive Contributing Member

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    Haven't bought a SI in a loooong time. Definitely need to get this one & frame it for the cave.
     

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