ORLANDO -- Rookie James Harden, the No. 3 pick in the 2009 Draft, is a smart guy who will become a fine player as he grows up with the Oklahoma City Thunder.But the NBA Summer League may be giving him a false sense of security. As an NBA shooting guard, he will learn quickly that not everyone in his position puts their pants on one leg at a time.
When he starts trying to defend the likes of Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade, he may find himself a little more blistered than he thinks.
"Kobe is the best player in the world, but he laces up his shoes just like I lace up mine,'' Harden said earlier this week. "Sure, I'll get a welcome-to-the-NBA moment, but it's just basketball. I've played against him before [in the summer]. I won't be intimidated.''
Harden, who played two years at Arizona State, hasn't been flashy in the first four games of his Thunder career, but he has been the steadying, all-around player they expected. As the Pac-10 Player of the Year, Harden averaged 20 points and league-best 1.69 steals, along with 4.2 assists.
At the Summer League, he has averaged 15 points, 2 assists and 1.5 steals, creating plays for teammates as much as he creates for himself. He has been especially efficient without trying to do too much, hitting 19 of 34 shots (55.9 percent) and five of 12 (41.7 percent) from 3-point range.
"I'm not coming in here trying to dominate anything,'' he said. "I'm not even looking to score. I'm looking to win, looking to pass and get a better feel for the guys I'm playing with.''
The Thunder are expecting Harden to fit nicely between second-year point guard Russell Westbrook and third-year small forward Kevin Durant, giving them one of the most promising perimeter trios in the league.
The Thunder won just 23 games last season, yet they have remained patient in their plan to build through the draft, knowing it might be a couple more years before they can compete in the tough Western Conference.
"I'm not sure how to prepare myself for the NBA. I've never done it before,'' Harden said. "My plan is just to get in the best shape possible, and do everything I'm asked. But I don't feel any pressure. I just want to help this team get better and grow."
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
UH-oh better not let Kobe hear this or he'll torch Harden like he did Shane Battier after he saw that article praising Battier's defense on Kobe
sounds like somebody is taking his life for granted...
I think I will shoot myself if I see another article about Kobe Bryant. He a solid player but not great. He is not in the same class as Magic, Jordan, Bird, Lebron. This guy is a ball hog, his PER is good not great. his selfishness is what ruined him. He can have 30 rings, very few players can stand the guy and I am sure they know the "real" Bryant
4 championships, Hater.
LeBron? with Magis and Michael? HAHAHAHA
You embarrass yourself
sonchopanza, it is obvious you do not get to watch Kobe play very often.
Yes I am a Lakers diehard and Magic was great he was well "Magic."
But, Kobe Bryant is the greatest player on the floor no matter when or where he steps on it.
He makes shots on a regular basis that I've never seen anyone else make in the 30 years I've been watching the NBA.
For you to refer to him as a "solid" player is a shame, it says you either never get to see him play or you don't know much about basketball or both.
As for your comment that very few players can stand the guy I'd like to know how many NBA players you speak with and where do you get your "facts" from?
As for saying you will shoot yourself if you see another article about Kobe all I can say is I implore everyone that blogs at fanhouse to please write lots of articles on Kobe in the hope that you will indeed follow through with your promise.
Greatest player on the floor? You need to get out more. Bryant puts up huge number because he shoots 30 shots and gets 15 free throws a game. I wonder what Ginobli, Nash, Dirk, Parker, James, Turkalou, Lewis etc. would average a game with that many attempts.
The guy who called Kobe ordinary, and the guy who claims he's the best player on the floor, at all times, are both, in my opinion, patently wrong. Kobe Bryant has amazing athletic skills and determination, but he lacks the court vision and savvy of Magic or MJ. The reason he makes so many difficult shots?? He takes more difficult shots... more shots that are more difficult...than any one in the game. MJ never put the ball on the floor unless it was to shake a defender, get closer to the basket and create space. Kobe puts the ball on the floor, everyone knows he's going to shoot, and he dribbles into double and triple coverage while his teammates watch, know he has no intention to pass...and no passing lane if he did. You can watch a year of Jordan videos and not see him dribble into as much trouble as Kobe does in a single game. I'm a Laker's fan, and he's a great player. Watch Lebron James snake is way through defense: head faking, changing directions, going right on one defender, left on the next. Kobe does this on occasion, but too often, he just makes up his mind to shoot, no matter what the defense does. I'm a Laker's fan, and he's a great player. But MJ, Magic and now Lebron are without peer: their court sense sense and athletic skill sets them above everyone else. Kobe is not Jordan...
5thStfreddie....Finally, I was beginning to think a sensible Laker fan was an oxymoron.
In Jordan's glory days with the Bulls the NBA didn't allow the zone defense so he never had to worry about being triple teamed and LeBron snakes through the defense because he travels, er sorry he "crab walks" like I said he TRAVELS.
I think the better question to ask Harden is how fast he thinks the video tapes are gonna be confiscated by nike and the NBA after he dunks on queen lebronze
Sonchopanza, you couldn't be more wron. Magic, Bird, and Jordan were absolutely great, but Kobe is equally great. LeBron most definitely will be as well, but he's not there yet. At leas not in my opinion.
Am I a Kobe hater, No I just think he's a bad person with lousy morals. I'm a fan of team play rather than individual showing off so of course I prefer Magic, Bird, Jordan, Lebron type players. I will take a sweet pass over a 30ft jumper any day, it's a matter of choice.
NBA
Rank Player PER Season
1. Wilt Chamberlain* 31.84 1962-63
2. Wilt Chamberlain* 31.76 1961-62
3. Michael Jordan* 31.71 1987-88
4. LeBron James 31.67 2008-09
source: Hollinger ESPN
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH...sonchopanza is the morality police, where you posting from Iran?
Oh, and for a guy with such high personal morals its surprising to see Wilt Chamberlain on your list.Unless you are posting from a monastery somewhere I have to question your morals and even then you're probably whacking off.
Leave the morality crap out of sports, I'm sure most of your heroes wouldn't stand up to your high level of morality.And by the way all the players you listed, Nash,Ginobli,Parker etc. do you really think they match up to Kobe 1 on 1?
Gregg,
keep it clean man, this is a sports board. Show a little class. Keep your arguments to sports.
Oh, now the censorship police show up.Are you posting from Iran too?
Seriously though what'd I write that upset you?
sonchopansy, i am a kobe-lover and ur an idiot! even I know jordon is #1. get ur head out, douche! mabey u just wish u were one of wilt's 10,000!
sanchoponany! now that i think about it, props for admiting to be a kobe-hater. I just hope you follow through on your ealier statement : "I think I will shoot myself if I see another article about Kobe Bryant." go to espn or any news outlet tommarrow, get your gun, and end it all. GOODBYE MORON!!!! I'm sure no one will miss you!
For everyone who says Kobe is a bad person and then praises guys like MJ, Magic, and Wilt for their morals, that person is like Zach Galifianakis in "The Hangover" said, "A re-tard." MJ is divorced and has a mean gambling addiction. How do you think Magic got HIV? I'm sure it had nothing to do with all the orgies he was having (while married). Wilt admitted to 10,000 check marks on his belt. Like LakerGregg said, keep morality out of it. It's just amazing that Kobe is the only athlete I can think of who is held to morality standards for cheating on his wife. Rick Fox divorced Vanessa. Dwyane Wade was being sued by his soon-to-be ex-wife for abandoning his kids and giving her an STD. Shaq had a messy divorce with his wife. Hell, Steve McNair was cheating on his wife with a chick he was paying for her car and house and he's being mourned as a hero. And, lest we forget, Ray Lewis was on trial for freaking murder.
Let's keep sports with sports...please.
Better enjoy that trophy laker fans, Boston will crush you next year just like did before. Lakers are jsut too soft to beat a healthy Boston team
Greatest player on the floor? Get real!!!