"James Harden sat at his locker before Wednesday's game at Charlotte with his arms folded and his right hamstring tightly wrapped with ice. By the way he answered questions about his injured leg, using crisp, to-the-point responses, it was clear that the Thunder's rookie shooting guard was not pleased with his progress and certainly didn't feel like talking about his setback.
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Harden's recovery on schedule
And that was with things being on schedule.
"I'm doing better day by day," said Harden, who reported that his leg is no longer sore.
Harden, who originally was scheduled to miss two to four weeks, has made it through the first week of his recovery. But he still is expected to be sidelined for another one to three weeks.
Harden said he still hasn't been cleared to return to practice but has increased light workouts and is using this time to develop his upper body strength.
BOBCATS WELCOME JORDAN AS OWNER
The NBA on Wednesday approved the sale of the Charlotte Bobcats to Michael Jordan, and the hope around the Bobcats' organization is that the NBA legend can revitalize the city's once proud tradition of professional basketball. After leading the league in attendance for years while hosting its inaugural franchise, the Hornets, Charlotte's 15,613 average now ranks 22nd. The Bobcats haven't had a winning season in their previous five years.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks said he thinks Jordan will have a big impact on the franchise.
"It's a great addition to the league, and this franchise and this area," Brooks said. "He has a lot of pride. He's going to want to have success...He's one of the greatest workers of all time. I'm sure he's going to instill all of those great characteristics he had as a player into this organization."
GREEN BANGED UP
Forward Jeff Green hit the floor hard following a drive to the rim late in the second half of the Thunder's 100-92 loss to the Bobcats. Green was whistled for an offensive foul on the play after pushing off with his off hand but landed awkwardly. He remained on the floor while the training staff and players from both teams circled around him during a timeout, but he got up and walked off the court on his own power and stayed in the game.
Green did not speak to reporters after the game, but he was seen wearing a black sleeve under his street clothes before departing the locker room. Brooks said Green should be fine going forward."