Superstars in Harden’s path to title
SAN ANTONIO — Gray and white T-shirts rested behind him. Five world championship banners hung above.
This doesn’t get any easier for James Harden and his Rockets.
Russell Westbrook, the expected MVP, and the Thunder in round one. Kawhi Leonard and the annual powerhouse Spurs in the semifinals. Then, if Harden’s team advances, it’ll most likely be the superpower Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.
And then probably LeBron James and his defending champion Cavaliers if everything magically lines up for The Beard in 2016-17.
The NBA is loaded with superstars at their peak right now. Several (Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Leonard and Harden) are just entering their theoretical primes.
It’s also another reminder that Harden could be facing all of these big names over and over again in the postseason, into the next basketball decade. “The league is growing. The league is growing,” said Harden, repeating himself for extra emphasis. “So many guys are emerging, and then some of the younger guys that aren’t in the postseason. “The game is in great hands right now. Even (in the East). You’ve got LeBron doing it for a very long time. Young guys like (Isaiah Thomas). Both sides of the (league)are fun to watch. It’s exciting and I’m just happy to be a part of it.” Westbrook averaged 37.4 points in five playoff games against the Rockets. James is second in the postseason at 34.2, followed by Harden (31.0) and Leonard (29.7) with Curry (28.2) sixth. Harden could face them all if the Rockets knock off the Spurs and end up with their best season since 1995. “As every generation, they up the stakes. I think it’s incredible what they’ve done, what they’re doing,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “They could do it another four or five or six years. It’s a great time for the NBA.”