Speaking at an Adidas event, Houston Rockets star James Harden commented on his highly anticipated partnership with former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate and former NBA MVP Russell Westbrook.
Harden shared his excitement to play alongside Westbrook once again. And despite questions about their fit, the 2018 NBA MVP said that their partnership is “going to work.” Harden also emphasized that “when you have talent,” “guys with IQ” and “guys willing to sacrifice,” things “always works itself out.”
“I’m excited,” Harden said, via Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. “It’s a new chapter, but I know he’s excited. He’s been in Oklahoma City for 11 years so it’s a new chapter for him. We welcome him with open arms. It’s going to work.”
“We played with each other in the NBA and the (2012) Olympics and all that,” Harden said. “When you have talent like that, it works itself out. You communicate. You go out there and compete possession by possession. You figure things out. Throughout the course of the season, you figure things out.”
Westbrook — acquired from the Thunder by the Rockets in exchange for 34-year-old point guard Chris Paul and picks — spent 11 years with OKC and was the Seattle SuperSonics' final lottery selection prior to the franchise's relocation out of the Pacific Northwest. Harden became OKC's first pick the next year and the two played with each other alongside Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka.
Unfortunately, before the 2012-13 season, Harden was dealt to Clutch City.
Westbrook, Harden and Durant helped the Thunder reach their first NBA Finals appearance in 2012. Now, the reunited teammates have a chance to win it all in Houston together in a risky move by general manager Daryl Morey, who's gambling the former Thunder cohorts can make magic happen in a loaded Western Conference.
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