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James Harden

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» Saturday, March 9 2013

 

» Friday, March 8 2013

But here's the real killer. Multiple sources have told me that, when Oklahoma City's Sam Presti decided to shop James Harden, Golden State was his first call. He wanted Klay Thompson and a pick. The Warriors would only consider the trade if Oklahoma City took back Biedrins or Jefferson for 2013 expirings, knowing they'd get crushed by the luxury tax in 2014 with Harden's extension plus Steph Curry's extension plus David Lee plus Bogut/Jefferson/Biedrins. At that point, Presti went to Washington (offering Harden for Bradley Beal, and unbelievably getting turned down), then Houston (where the shopping heated up). Presti never ended up calling Golden State back. Grantland

 

» Wednesday, March 6 2013

 

» Thursday, February 21 2013

 

» Wednesday, February 20 2013

 

» Monday, February 18 2013

 

» Saturday, February 16 2013

 

» Friday, February 15 2013

Westbrook said they’re still good friends, and they’re from the same area so they’ll continue to hang out in summers, and Durant said they’ll remain tight after learning together as professionals. “We miss him,” Durant said. “Of course we all grew up together and I’m happy he’s playing well in Houston, but we’ve got to move past it. “It’s been almost three or four months now, so it’s time to move on.” Houston Chronicle

"I felt kind of hurt and disappointed leaving those guys, leaving something special, especially being around Kevin and Russell all summer after (the) Finals (with the Olympic gold medal-winning Team USA)," Harden says. "Probably a month after the trade, I started getting used to it and started figuring it out that this is my team now, and this is what I have to do. I have to be a leader now. I have a new role." The transformation from super sub to superstar wasn't gradual. Never mind that the trade had left him stunned, or that he knew none of his new teammates beyond the usual in-game pleasantries. Harden decided before his first Rockets practice that this was his team, and he didn't leave any doubt. "That first day was sort of eye-opening to some of us, because he literally just started screaming at people to tuck their shirts in," Rockets small forward Chandler Parsons said. "I'm sure some people were like, 'This guy has been here for an hour and he's already talking,' but ... he knew coming into this that we were a young team that needed that." USA Today Sports

 

» Thursday, February 14 2013

Asked if he had a specific player he wanted to join forces with, Harden -- who doesn't have off-court relationships with any of the players mentioned -- says he's not sure just yet. "I don't, and if I did have a guy I'd be texting him every single day," he told USA TODAY Sports in a recent interview. "Dwight, Chris Paul, Bynum, all of them. I haven't come across them. I'm more low-key." USA Today Sports

 

» Monday, February 11 2013

But considering his young-and-upcoming team is still in need of the sort of talent that will be in ample supply at the event, he'll leave some time for the sort of recruiting effort that is tailor-made for this annual, star-studded scene. "I'll do a little bit of recruiting during the All-Star break, but my main focus is on just trying to get this team focused on every single game, every practice," Harden, whose team has significant salary cap space that can be used this summer if they don't do a major deal before the Feb. 21 trade deadline, told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday. "I can't worry about who we want to recruit and things like that. ... For the most part, we're trying to make the playoffs." USA Today Sports

But while free-agents-to-be Dwight Howard of the Lakers, Andrew Bynum of the 76ers and Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks could be coming his way, Harden said he doesn't have a specific player in mind on top of his personal priority list. "I don't because if I did have a guy (like that), I'd be texting him every single day," Harden said. Specifically, Harden said he has no relationship with Howard. "Like I said, if I did, I'd be texting him every single day," he said. "Dwight, (Clippers free agent-to-be) Chris Paul, Bynum, all of them." USA Today Sports

Asked if he had begun making his sales pitch, or at least laying the groundwork for next summer, he said he has chatted with "a couple guys." Asked who has received his initial recruiting attention, Harden smiled broadly and said, "A couple guys." Houston Chronicle

 

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