In two amateur played with the Houston Rockets, Harden is averaging over 41 minutes, 41.0 points, 7.0 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
This comes afterwards a blockbuster barter amid the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Houston Rockets—one which beatific Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and two first-round picks to OKC in barter for Harden.
But wait, is it absolutely that surprising?
The Facts
In 2011-12 with the Thunder, Harden averaged 31.4 account per game, while accepting to allotment touches with adolescent superstars Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the arising Serge Ibaka. Harden still managed 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
For abounding teams that don't accomplish the NBA Finals, these numbers represent a advantageous NBA starter—for the Thunder, they were numbers which becoming Harden the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year Award endure season.
Since abutting the Houston Rockets, his acreage goals attempted accept added from 10.1 to 22.0, and he's demography an boilerplate of three added three-pointers per game. While 41.0 PPG will be a difficult clip to maintain, Harden will absolutely break up there with the NBA's best.
In addition, Harden was the endure section of the addle for OKC.
In the 2007 NBA draft, the SeattleSuperSonics (remember them?), called none added than Kevin Durant additional overall. The afterward year, the Thunder called Westbrook eighth all-embracing and Serge Ibaka24th overall. The year afterwards that—you estimated it—the Thunder took Harden third overall.
Though Harden capital to break in OKC, the Thunder don't accept amplitude for a amateur of his caliber. The Thunder gave Westbrook a max, five-year contract, and active Ibaka to a four-year, $48 actor arrangement (h/t The Oklahoman).
So, area does that leave Harden?
The ultimate assurance that Harden's canicule in OKC were numbered was if he alone a arrangement account $52 actor for four years.
Though the arrangement was initially account $52 million, the Thunder gave Harden the best of $54 actor or a barter to Houston. Harden was searching for a max, five-year arrangement account $60 actor (h/t Yahoo! Sports).
Obviously, Harden was traded, which got him a arrangement of 5 years, $80 million.
The actuality is: Harden was consistently account added than OKC was accommodating to pay him.
He consistently adapted superstar minutes, and money, which is what he's accepting with the Houston Rockets.
The absolute catechism is: Did the Oklahoma City Thunder get the best amount for James Harden?
Time will tell, but, advantage: Harden and the Houston Rockets.
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