Remember when the Oklahoma City Thunder appeared to have a solid, strong core built in place for the next five years, almost ensuring them a trip back to the finals (barring a collapse due to the inevitability of injuries) maybe as soon as this season?
Or in May and June when everyone was on the Thunder’s bandwagon because no one wanted to admit to being on the Miami Heat’s?
That all became a blur on October 27, when the Thunder sent star Sixth Man of the Year Award winner James Harden, along with guard Daequan Cook, forward Lazar Haywood, and center Cole Aldrich to the Houston Rockets for guards Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, and two first-round picks in next year’s draft.
Four days later, Harden agreed to terms on a new contract with the Rockets for five years, $80 million.
To make the Thunder look even worse for trading him, Harden put up 37 points, 12 assists, and six rebounds in his Rockets debut against the Detroit Pistons.
His 37 against the Pistons was the most ever for a player’s debut with the Houston Rockets, and tied for third most for any NBA player in his debut with a team.
Two days later, he shocked the country again, by scoring a career-high 45 points, seven assists, and 10 rebounds versus the Atlanta Hawks.
Thru the first two games of the season, Harden had 82 points. Only Michael Jordan and Wilt Chamberlain have scored more points in a team’s first two games; In 1961, Wilt put up 105; in 1962, he had 106; and in 1965, he scored 86. Jordan put up 91 points in 1986.
The impact James Harden, once thought to be the outcast in Oklahoma City around Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, is having for the Rockets is showing up on his new teammates as well.
Houston Rockets true point guard Jeremy Lin said Harden makes a “big time difference”. Lin is spreading the ball around the court and looking almost like he’s paying homage to his breakout performance with the New York Knicks last season, while simultaneously shutting up all of his doubters.
Free agent pick up and center Omer Asik is putting up career highs in rebounds, first throwing up 19 against the Hawks, and then 15 the following night against the Portland Trail Blazers.
The stats show that the influence Harden has is immaculate. He is no longer the star sixth man he was in Oklahoma City. He is now a starter going for an MVP in Houston.
Only time will tell, but this trade could wind up being one of the most crucial in NBA history.
Check back in the next issue for a follow up on this trade and how Oklahoma City benefits from it.
