Houston Rockets: What Did James Harden Say?

As the season winds down and the race for league’s Most Valuable Player becomes more heated than ever, for the first time in quite awhile, a member of the Houston Rockets continues to be mentioned as one of the top candidates.

In case you’ve been under a rock lately, James Harden has been at the top of the conversation at the water cooler.

And why shouldn’t he be?

He has had the type of season that has exceeded most hoops fans expectations.

We all knew what the Beard was capable of and understood what an offensive juggernaut that he is but he seemed to be indifferent about playing defense.

He has done a complete 180-degree turn from past seasons and has evolved to be the premier player in the Association.

But for the first time, the Beard went on the record and declared himself the MVP.

Here’s what he told the Houston Chronicle’s Jenny Dial Creech:

"“I think I’ve done enough but that’s not my main focus,” Harden said."

What could that be?

Harden added:

"“My name being in the conversation is a blessing and an honor,” Harden said. “I’m not worrying about it. I am worried about doing the right things to get my team ready for the playoffs.”"

This is a perfect answer on all levels — appreciating the honor, emanating confidence about himself as a player but is more focused on the team’s success.

Stephen Curry has a great shot but the Golden State Warriors would still be a very good team without him and Russell Westbrook has to get the Oklahoma City Thunder to the playoffs in order to make his case even stronger.

That’s a far cry from the past and it goes to show how far he has come along as player, ensuring that having that kind of mindset will keep the Rockets a successful bunch for quite some time!

The Rockets have to get out of the first round this season, last year’s abrupt exit left a bitter taste in all of our mouths because we expected so much more out of this team.

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This team has the tools to make that run starting with the Beard himself as well as Dwight Howard will be ready to go full tilt to help as he eases his way into the playoffs.

Our supporting cast will have to step up big time as well because after all, they’re going to be the most important ingredient of the Rockets’ postseason success.

The Beard can’t do it all!

Remember our back-to-back championship years?

It was guys like Vernon Maxwell, Robert Horry, Mario Elie, Matt Bullard, Pete Chilcutt and many others that made such a difference in helping the team win.