SB Nation Kansas City - Thunder vs. Rockets final score: James Harden's return is spoiled by OKC, 120-98https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-11-29T11:54:53-06:00http://kansascity.sbnation.com/rss/stream/34703332012-11-29T11:54:53-06:002012-11-29T11:54:53-06:00Durant 'happy to see' Harden
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Kevin Durant had nothing but love for his former teammate following the Thunder's win over James Harden and the Rockets on Wednesday.</p> <p>It's no secret what a close-knit group the Oklahoma City <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Thunder</a> were the past few seasons, with stars <span>Kevin Durant</span>, <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and <span>James Harden</span> appearing to be as good of friends off the court as they were great talents on the court.</p>
<p>That's part of what made the team's trade of Harden to the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> last month so shocking. Wednesday night, Harden and the Thunder were reunited briefly when the Rockets fell 120-98 in OKC. Harden struggled, scoring only 17 points while missing his first nine shots. Durant, who scored 37 in the win, had <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/durant-thunder-too-much-road-weary-rockets">nothing but love for Harden </a>after the game:</p>
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<p>"It was crazy seeing him before the game and seeing him in a different uniform was a little different. We moved past it though. We were happy to see him and we're glad he is doing well out there in Houston. It was a good win, and it was good to see him. Good luck to him the rest of the way."</p>
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<p>Harden was traded to Houston as part of a package that netted OKC <span>Kevin Martin</span>, who has assumed the role Harden played as a scoring threat coming off the bench. Harden won Sixth Man of the Year honors last year while helping OKC reach the NBA Finals. He's averaging 24.5 points per game as a starter for the Rockets.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/11/29/3706918/kevin-durant-james-harden-thunder-rocketsKevin Jeffers2012-11-29T11:40:00-06:002012-11-29T11:40:00-06:00Sampson: Harden was 'pressing'
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>James Harden was held to just 17 points against his former team Wednesday, and his coach said the shooting guard might have been pressing a little.</p> <p>It'd be tough to blame <span>James Harden</span> for wanting to play his best against his former team, but that didn't happen Wednesday night. The <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> shooting guard scored just 17 points and missed his first nine shots against the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> in a 120-98 loss.</p>
<p>Indeed, Harden might have been trying a little too hard, as head coach <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/rockets/news/durant-thunder-too-much-road-weary-rockets">Kelvin Sampson said after the game</a>:</p>
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<p>"I think James was probably pressing a little bit. I'm not sure that he would admit it. I've watched him play every game thus far this year and he's been playing really, really well lately but I thought tonight he was pushing a little bit."</p>
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<p>The Thunder traded the reigning Sixth Man of the Year to the Rockets last month -- right before the season started -- after the two sides failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension. It was Harden's first game against his former team.</p>
<p>Harden has played well as a starter with Houston, averaging 24.5 points and 5.4 assists per game while playing over 38 minutes a game. He sounded relieved when the game was over that he got the first matchup against his former teammates out of the way:</p>
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<p>"It feels good to compete against these guys and finally get it over with. Now, I can continue on with the season."</p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/11/29/3706818/kelvin-sampson-james-harden-thunder-rocketsKevin Jeffers2012-11-29T08:16:38-06:002012-11-29T08:16:38-06:00Thunder top Rockets in Harden's return
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>Kevin Durant badly outplayed James Harden on Wednesday night as the Thunder rolled to victory.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> steamrolled the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> 120-98 on Wednesday night in <span>James Harden's</span> return to OKC. For Harden, it was a night to forget -- he scored 17 points but shot just 3-16 from the field and picked up only three assists and two rebounds while turning the ball over three times. His saving grace was the free throw line, where he went 9-11.</p>
<p>The Thunder's main star had no such trouble -- <span>Kevin Durant</span> dropped in 37 points on a Rockets team that was without top wing <span>Chandler Parsons</span>. <span>Serge Ibaka</span> was second on the team in scoring with 23 points, while <span>Kevin Martin</span> chipped in with 17 points off the bench. As a team, Oklahoma City ravaged the Houston defense, shooing 54 percent as a team from the field. Houston, meanwhile, shot just 41 percent as a team.</p>
<p>Oklahoma City will get a night off before returning the court on Friday night when they host the <a href="https://www.slcdunk.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Utah Jazz</a>, while the Rockets will be off until Saturday night when they too host the Jazz. The Thunder and Rockets will next meet on Dec. 29 in Houston.</p>
<p><i>This story originally appeared at </i><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2012/11/28/3704822/rockets-vs-thunder-final-score-james-harden">SB Nation</a><i>.</i></p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/oklahoma-city-thunder/2012/11/29/3705974/thunder-vs-rockets-final-score-kevin-durant-trumps-james-hardensSB Nation NBA News2012-11-29T04:11:34-06:002012-11-29T04:11:34-06:00Loving & hating James Harden at the same damn time
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<figcaption>Kevin Jairaj-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>After watching James Harden return to Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, I was inspired by a 70's R&B group. It is indeed a thin line between love and hate.</p> <p>While watching the <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> and the <a href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> do battle on Wednesday night, watching <span>James Harden</span> wear the red and white No. 13 jersey, I was reminded of a song my mama used to play on the big house speakers when I was younger.</p>
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<p>The sweetest woman in the world<br>Can be the meanest woman in the world<br>If you make her that way, you keep on hurting her<br>She keeps being quiet<br>She might be holding something inside<br>That really really hurt you one day</p>
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<p>Those lyrics are by a R&B group called The Persuaders, a fitting name really. Four moustache and afro wearing gentlemen from New York, penned "A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" and had a No. 1 hit. If you haven't heard the song, its a man talking about a woman. A neglected and mistreated one, specifically. The man kept treating the woman poorly, never suspecting that she'd retaliate in a malicious fashion.<iframe width="550" height="413" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Pdov7l1V8xk" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p>You could say that James Harden was neglected by the Thunder brass. Deciding to give big money to players like <span>Russell Westbrook</span> and <span>Serge Ibaka</span> instead of the reigning sixth man of the year. Instead of giving the maximum effort (dollars) to Harden when contract negotiations were taking place could be seen as mistreatment. (Actually, the rush job of "sign this now, you've got one hour or we're moving forward with a trade" by Sam Presti is the bigger form of mistreatment, but I digress.) Things probably could've been managed better you could say.</p>
<p>Yes, the Thunder soundly defeated the Rockets 120-98, and OKC put Houston through the ringer. With intense on-ball pressure, a boatload of blocks, and precise shooting all night, the division champs put this one in the bag early. But I'll admit it...I'm not over it. Damn that beard still looks dope. That lefty stroke from three-point range is oh, so beautiful. Those herky-jerky moves have an affect on me, opposing defenders and referees alike. They're mesmerizing. Seeing Harden make passes to....<span>Omer Asik</span>? <span>Jeremy Lin</span>? <span>Patrick Patterson</span>? Those were supposed to go to Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka. How dare you, you Benedict Arnold! Good grief.</p>
<p>I don't really mean those words about Harden, but I'm just still bitter. Not at him, moreso at the situation that played out in front of us last month. What's truly scary is that, like the song says, he's really going to hurt us one day. It might be in a first-round matchup in an upcoming playoffs series. Or maybe its in a matchup where only the crafty skills of Harden could help OKC overcome its obstacle. Who knows?</p>
<p>However, it was good to see OKC take it to Houston and not be caught up in the moment. KD said it best with his post-game quote on his former teammate:</p>
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<p>"It was crazy. Seeing him before the game, in chapel, in a different uniform, it was a little different. But we moved on past it man, happy to see him, glad he's doing well out there in Houston. But we wanted this win bad for all those days in practice that him, Daequan and <span>Eric Maynor</span> beat the first group, I wanted this game real bad. It was a good win. Good to see him and good luck to him the rest of the way." -- <span>Kevin Durant</span> on James Harden</p>
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<p>Maybe the Thunder will have to beat the Rockets 5, 10, 20 more times for me to get over it. To see Harden as just 'another guy.' When that day comes, maybe I'll write another lengthy and verbose article professing why I feel that way, or maybe I'll just let the feeling float in the wind...like a fart.</p>
<p>I hate that freaking beard, you should shave it.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.thesportsfanjournal.com/columns/ed-the-sports-fan/andre-3000-shawn-michaels-manu-ginobili-james-harden-and-deferred-destinies/">Long live the beard</a>, I miss you No. 13.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/11/29/3705566/a-thin-line-between-love-and-hate-james-harden-returns-okc-wins-imEddie Maisonet2012-11-28T14:38:00-06:002012-11-28T14:38:00-06:00OKC homecoming no big deal to Harden
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<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
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<p>James Harden isn't making a big deal about returning to Oklahoma City with his new team, the Houston Rockets.</p> <p><span>James Harden's</span> return to Oklahoma City will be a big deal for a lot of people. It just won't be that big of a deal to Harden himself, if his <a href="http://blog.chron.com/ultimaterockets/2012/11/rockets-report-harden-insists-thunder-reunion-no-big-deal/" target="_blank">quotes to the Houston Chronicle are to be believed</a>.</p>
<p>Harden returns Wednesday night to the home of the team with which he spent the first three years of his career and helped lead to the Western Conference Finals. Harden, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, was traded to the <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Houston Rockets</a> last month after failing to reach a contract extension with OKC.</p>
<p>Still, Wednesday is just another night for the guard:</p>
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<p>"I'm on the road trying to get a win," Harden said Tuesday. "That's no different than when we played at Memphis or Atlanta or whatever the case may be."</p>
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<p>Harden has led Houston to a 7-7 record while OKC is in its expected spot near the top of the conference with an 11-4 mark. Harden is having a breakout year starting for Houston, averaging 25.1 points per game.</p>
<p>Harden did concede it will be nice to see some old faces:</p>
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<p>"It will be good to see some faces, some old teammates and coaches. They're all my family. I look forward to every single game I play. It's just another game."</p>
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<p>The Rockets and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> tip off Wednesday at 7 p.m. CT.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/11/28/3701692/james-harden-rockets-thunder-reunionKevin Jeffers2012-11-28T13:18:12-06:002012-11-28T13:18:12-06:00The Beard returns to OKC
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<figcaption>Scott Halleran</figcaption>
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<p>Houston Rockets guard James Harden has come out and that playing the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night will be ‘just another game.' Yep, and fat kids don't love cake. </p> <p>James Harden will make his first trip to Oklahoma City wearing an opposing team's uniform on Wednesday night as his Houston Rockets face the Thunder at the Chesapeake Energy Arena. That entire sentence just felt weird to write. Many questions are on the top of Thunder fans as this is a new experience for Loud City. Is James Harden a Benedict Arnold? Would OKC be any better with The Beard? Did Sam Presti do the right thing?</p>
<p>I tackled these three questions with <a target="_blank" href="http://www.dailythunder.com/2012/11/3-on-3-reacting-to-hardens-return/">Royce Young over at ESPN's Daily Thunder Truehoop blog</a>, as we prepare for the return of The Beard.</p>
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<p><b>1. Should Thunder fans boo James Harden tonight?</b></p>
<p>Eddie Maisonet, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.thesportsfanjournal.com">The Sports Fan Journal</a>/SB Nation: If they did I'd be thoroughly disappointed in them. Its easy to say what you would do if someone offered you $54-80 million to play basketball, but no one's knocking on your door to do such a thing. The Fear The Beard movement started in OKC, and we'll continue to cherish the 2009-12 Thunder era many moons from now.</p>
<p><b>2. Through 15 games, would this season look any different with Harden on the roster?</b></p>
<p>Maisonet: Oklahoma City probably wins 1-2 more games with Harden versus Kevin Martin, but 12-3 (with a 7-game winning streak) versus 11-4 (with a shuffled roster days before the regular season starts) with a 3-game lead in the division after 15 games? That's plenty acceptable either way you look at it.</p>
<p><b>3. With a month to reflect on, did Sam Presti make the right move?</b></p>
<p>Maisonet: It's still too early to tell. While I think the trade itself was great for the future, the trade told me that OKC never really intended to pay Harden anyway. Thusly, the Thunder were going to move in a different direction. What will be more interesting is the next couple of moves that are sitting on Presti's desk. Do they move Kendrick Perkins? Do they re-package Martin + picks for another stud wing? Do they re-sign Martin and move forward towards a title run? Presti's always been perceived as playing chess with checkers players, and time will tell if he's truly the Bobby Fischer of general managers or not.</p>
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<p>One last thing...</p>
<p><b>An egregious prediction just because I haven't made any egregious prediction in an egregious amount of time:</b> James Harden will get 30 points and 10 assists, but OKC will win with a....wait for it....Kevin Martin game winning three, 100-99. If this actually happens, I might run around my house butt naked. I'm serious bro...I just might do it.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/2012/11/28/3702634/james-harden-and-the-beard-returns-to-oklahoma-cityEddie Maisonet