Harden’s durability sets him apart from other elite

CHICAGO — For a few seconds Friday night, everyone on the Rockets bench stopped breathing.

James Harden, who came down awkwardly on his right foot after an attempted layup, sat on the baseline under the basket, clutching his ankle, grimacing in pain,

Rockets players and coaches in the United Center and the thousands of fans freaking out while watching at home didn’t have to worry long.

Within moments, Harden was on his feet stretching. And after that, walking near the bench, then hopping.

Coach Mike D’Antoni sat him for the final seconds of the first quarter. Medical personnel

checked him out, and he used a resistance band to stretch for a minute.

Then midway through the second quarter, Harden trotted back onto the court like nothing had happened. He went on to finish with 19 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds as the Rockets beat the Bulls 115-94.

The scare was legitimate. Any time a star — especially one that shines as brightly as Harden — is on the floor writhing in pain, hearts sink, stomachs churn, tons of prayers are sent by fans.

But you had to know Harden was going to get up, bounce back and then lead the Rockets to a win.

“He’s durable like that,” D’Antoni said. “It was a scare, but he’s fine. He says he feels good.”

That’s just what Harden does, and has done for the past few seasons.

He hasn’t had a ton of scares. He’s had injuries, illnesses and plenty of bumps and bruises along the way, sure.

Basketball is hard on players. On their knees, their ankles, their backs, their wrists, their shoulders … and so on.

Harden is far from invincible. He must be as careful as the rest of them.

But he does have a terrific quality for an NBA player: durability.

Harden’s strength, his playing style, his preparation contribute to it.

“I think a lot of it is natural,” D’Antoni said. “The way he plays — low to the ground. He doesn’t get knocked to the ground that much. He can play the whole game.”

And when D’Antoni wants to sit him?

“He says to me, ‘I’m not tired,’ ” D’Antoni said.

That should count for something.

As the MVP conversation heats up — particularly after Kawhi Leonard’s play against the Rockets on Monday — that should be considered.

Harden isn’t just the best player on the Rockets. He is the best player every night. Because he doesn’t rest.

Unlike Leonard or players like the Cavaliers’ LeBron James who have scheduled nights of rest, Harden, 27, plays every game.

“I don’t take nights off,” he said. “That’s not what I’m paid to do. I love playing the game of basketball. Frankly, I won’t be playing forever. I am just taking advantage of the opportunity while I’m here. I love being out there on the court, helping my teammates and playing for the Houston Rockets.”

This season, he has played in all 66 games and averages 36.5 minutes per game. If the Rockets weren’t winning by so much in a lot of those games, that number would likely be higher.

“He doesn’t miss any games,” D’Antoni said. “He doesn’t seem to get tired. James is remarkably resilient. He loves to play and wants to play. I think if I told him he needed to rest a night, I wouldn’t get very far.”

Harden could have a lot of season left if the Rockets can make the playoff run for which they are striving and capable of.

It’s not just how much he plays in games, either.

On Friday, Harden was one of the last players on the court during the morning shootaround, putting up shot after shot to prepare for the game.

That’s common at most shootarounds and practices .

The guy clearly loves being on the basketball court. And the Rockets are better for it.

At some point, the Beard might need to rest.

It probably won’t be any time soon, though.

The playoffs are around the corner, and Harden needs to be ready to lead the Rockets through the treacherous Western Conference bracket.

Before that, the Rockets have James and the Cleveland Cavaliers coming to town Sunday night.

You can bet Harden will be hyped up to take on the defending champs.

And you can bet he will want to be in the game for as long as possible that night. Just like he does