The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rockets’ Harden impresses coach, teammates at workout
Wire services
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. — NBA scoring leader James Harden of the Houston Rockets practiced with his team for the first time in more than four months Thursday, saying his arrival at the league’s restart bubble at Walt Disney World was delayed by family issues.
Harden came to Disney earlier this week, satisfied his league-mandated quarantine requirements and got cleared to participate.
“I’m happy I’m here,” Harden said. “It felt actually really, really good to be out here with the guys, getting after it, just pushing our way. Every single day is going to be a new challenge for us.”
Harden has been working out, but said Thursday was his first time playing actual 5-on-5, contact-laden basketball in more than a month.
“I pushed myself through it today,” Harden said.
Harden’s arrival means Houston finally has half of its starting backcourt at Disney. On Monday, guard Russell Westbrook revealed he tested positive for COVID-19.
It’s not known when Westbrook will be ready to arrive. But Harden wasted no time in impressing his teammates.
“He looked good,” Houston coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He probably was rusty for about 30 seconds . ... A good beginning.”
Rockets guard Ben McLeMore was more succinct.
“Same James . ... Didn’t miss a beat,” McLeMore said.
D’Antoni didn’t expect Harden to do much 5-on-5 work initially, figuring he would need some time to build up his wind. But Harden arrived fully ready, in D’Antoni’s eyes, showing that whatever regimen he was following had paid off.
“James is smart,” D’Antoni said. “He knows his body. He knows what he needs to do. He’ll come over late at night if he needs extra shooting or if he needs extra running, he’ll do it. But he loves to play. He’s the ultimate professional on what he needs to do to get ready. So, I trust him totally.”
The Rockets are scheduled for three scrimmages and eight seeding games, but for Harden and most of the teams in Orlando, the real tests start in mid-August when the playoffs begin. With no travel or hostile crowds, the playing field has been leveled.
“It’s like home-court advantage? There’s no home-court advantage,” Harden said on a videoconference call Thursday. “Everybody doesn’t have any fans. It’s you versus us and we’ll just have to figure it out . ... For us, it’s about getting into shape and making sure our offense and defense are crisp, and we’re all on the same page. We’ll play anybody.”
Harden is a cinch to win his third consecutive scoring title. He’s averaging 34.4 points, well ahead of second-place Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards. Beal, who isn’t participating in the restart because of an injury, finished the season averaging 30.5 points.
Harden would become the seventh player in NBA history to win at least three consecutive scoring crowns, joining George Mikan, Neil Johnston, Wilt Chamberlain, George Gervin, Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant.