Making Sense of a Possible Harden Houston Return
Why Does It Make Sense?
Even though he started his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder and even reached the 2012 NBA Finals alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, James Harden, now playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, had some of the best years of his career while playing for the Houston Rockets.
In nine seasons in Houston, Harden appeared in 621 games while averaging 29.6 points, 7.7 rebounds, and six rebounds. Of course, it was during his Houston stint when he won the 2018 MVP award as well.
During the 2017-2018 season, Harden averaged 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 steals, and 38.7% three-point shooting. Under then Head Coach Mike D’ Antoni and with Chris Paul running point, the Houston Rockets finished with an NBA-leading 65-17 record.
Unfortunately, one of Houston’s best seasons in recent memory didn’t transform into a championship as the Rockets lost in the Western Conference against the Golden State Warriors in a series that went to Game Seven. The Rockets were up 3-2 in the series after winning Game Five but an injury to Chris Paul plus missing 27 consecutive threes in Game Seven doomed the Rockets.
Of course, that was four years ago.
James Harden then went to the Brooklyn Nets before getting shipped to Philadelphia.
Today, Harden is averaging 21.8 points, 11.1 assists, 6.4 rebounds,1.4 steals on 37.1% shooting from deep. Unlike in his stint in Houston, Harden doesn’t need to carry as much of the scoring as he has Joel Embiid to help him in that department. However, rumours of a return to Texas in the offseason won’t die down. Why?
Even though the Rockets are one of the worst teams in the NBA with only 10 wins on the year, a James Harden reunion next season could be beneficial for both Harden and the young squad.
For one, James Harden could return to his old scoring ways alongside Jalen Green. And if the Rockets managed to nab Victor Wembanyama in the next NBA Draft, the Rockets would have a legitimate Big Three for next season and beyond.
For another, it would be an almost poetic ending to Harden’s career if he ends it in Houston.
Harden Downplays Rumours
James Harden himself has already downplayed the possibility of a Houston return with two words: “I’m here.”
He added, “We’re playing very well, and I don’t know where that report came from but I’m excited to be here. We’re playing very well. We’re continuing to get better.”
Harden isn’t wrong in that respect as the Sixers have a 21-14 record- good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Joel Embiid is averaging 33.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.1 steals, and 52.9% field goal shooting (career-high).
Harden also signed a two-year contract with the Sixers that will earn him $68.6M. More importantly, Harden going back to Houston with that same young core the Rockets have at the moment could hurt Harden as it would likely mean he would play more minutes and need to shoulder a large chunk of the scoring load.
While he wouldn’t be the first player to ever say something publicly and promptly do the opposite in the offseason, James Harden staying in Philly would make more sense than him entering free agency next summer and landing back in Houston.
At 33 years of age, Harden’s window to win a championship is slowly closing, and the guard is acutely aware of that fact. So unless the Rockets get big upgrades between now and the start of the 2023-24 season, Houston isn’t going to be competing for a championship anytime soon.
Still, crazier things have happened in the NBA. And where Victor Wembanyama ends up could prove to be enticing propositions to potential free agents this summer.
-Iggy Gonzales
Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.