Five years to the day after he was traded to the Rockets, guard James Harden called the years since the stunning trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder "the best five years of my life." "Five years go by fast, man," Harden said. "It's been a good five years, a great five years, the best five years of my life. This organization has shown me so much love and given me the opportunity to show who I am as a person and as a player. I appreciate it." Harden has been an All NBA selection in four of his five seasons with the Rockets and MVP runner up twice. He signed a contract extension with the Rockets in each of the past two seasons with his current deal worth $228 million over six years after. He has had career bests in scoring, rebounding and assists in each of the past three seasons, averaging 29.1 points, 11.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds last season. "I knew it was going to be something good," Harden said. "It's been better than good. It's more than I could ever imagine or dream of, just the opportunity the Rockets have given me and life in general, with family, close friends. It's a great feeling right now."
I had little hope before this trade...went from trying to talk myself into enjoying a team featuring Lin and Asik to watching a 6MOY winner turn into an MVP candidate
Remember how late this trade was in camp. 4 days after the trade Harden scored 37 pts with 12 assists, followed by 45 points in his second game, setting NBA records. First game Second game now... Remember when Harden said McHale is "a clown" and "didn't teach me anything." Then Isiah Thomas stroked McHale's ego the next day to say "Sure you taught him things." McHale didn't teach him anything in 4 days.
That pre-Harden team was mediocre treadmill. No ceiling. When the Rockets got Harden....the ceiling was through the roof.
I was at a Halloween party and just drunkenly yelled "we got Harden!" throughout the night. It was a great night.
We were going to tank that year, for good for once. McHale to lead that ship, and Lin to sell the seats. SIL
I remember thinking Harden was overrated due to his brutal showing in the Finals vs. Miami before then.
