Houston Eager to Spoil Harden’s Return as Rockets Face Nets
Return of the Beard. Over the Nest. Thirteen.
“He who marches out of step hears another drum.” A quote from the classic film, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, that brings tonight’s showdown between the Rockets and Nets to mind. After eight seasons of drumming of step-back highlights, dominant performances, and leading the squad to the playoffs every year, James Harden is no longer a Rocket. The Beard returns to Houston for the first time since the trade. And he’s still running the show. Say what you want about Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving. KD’s too injury-prone, and Kyrie’s too inconsistent. Harden plays every night. Every. Single. Night. There’s a reason he’s overtaken LeBron James as the MVP favorite after KD went down, and the Nets record improved drastically. As Harden returns to H-Town tonight, expect a vintage “Unguardable Tour” performance.
Harden got out of the NBA’s version of a Cuckoo’s Nest, and has found the perfect fit. The Beard is nearly averaging a triple-double, and despite his superstar teammates, is undoubtedly the Nets’ best player. If the season continues its current trend, Harden should be in line for a second MVP award, with a second team, joining a very elite list of players.
It’s going to be an emotional night in H-Town tonight. No one wanted to see Harden go, but the Beard did so much for the Rockets for nearly a decade. Expect an emotional tribute video. Houston already announced they have plans to retire Harden’s #13 jersey. A little quick to that trigger, but the Rockets are one of the league’s classiest organizations. They realize how Harden put Houston, and the Rockets, on the map for a new generation of fans. And tonight, the best player in the world is amped up to get revenge on his former team, a city he still calls “home.” Hopefully Houston plays with fire. They’ve got to be motivated and inspired to have the desire to beat Harden after he basically quit on the squad early this season. But if you think the Rockets are winning tonight’s game, think again. Tonight’s all about James. He has the chance to give Houston their 13th straight loss, the same number as his jersey. It just seems set up perfectly for Harden to put on a show. Expect to see many nostalgic step-backs, unstoppable drives, free-throws, and probably a definitive highlight-slam. Except all those step-backs, they’re not gonna be in Rocket-red (or blue for tonight’s game). The Beard matched out of Houston, took his step-back to Brooklyn, and’s still drumming along per usual. This band of Rocket players better prepare to march to a different tune. Harden’s back in Houston… get ready to dance to his new beat.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Brooklyn Nets (23-13): Gray
Houston Rockets (11-22): “City Edition” Blue
TV: 6:30 PM CT – ESPN