James Harden News: Pro Sports Daily

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March 18

The Oklahoman

"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. Multimedia Photoview all photos More Info 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. ..."

Kyle Weaver will get opportunity with James Harden out

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March 13

The Oklahoman

""Wins are wins," said Oklahoma City coach Scott Brooks. "It's not easy to win in this league... But we're going to watch the film and definitely address it because we can't afford to make those careless mistakes at the end. That's unacceptable."We will get better, but we still have to address those issues. We can't throw them under the rug and say, 'OK, we'll figure it out.' We have to figure it out quickly."Nets All-Star guard Devin Harris had a chance to cut it to two with 25 seconds left, but his runner in the lane rolled off the rim. Kevin Durant hit two free throws to finally seal the win. But even with a 104-98 lead with six seconds left, the Thunder was sloppy."I think we got a ..."

James Harden to miss up to four weeks

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March 13

The Oklahoman

"James Harden's strained hamstring will sideline him two to four weeks, time the rookie shooting guard says he'll use to watch and learn, to get better while benched. "It's one of those things where I could take this time to rest and just get back and healthy and as soon as I get back just come with that energy," Harden said. Harden landed awkwardly on his right leg after driving to the basket Wednesday against New Orleans. Harden said he tried to balance himself but his knee bent backward while his body lunged forward. Harden remained in the game but played just 14 minutes, his fewest since Dec. 31. It's the Thunder's first significant injury this season. Of the team's top six players in ..."

James Harden snaps out of shooting slump

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March 7

The Oklahoman

"One of the only positives to come out of the Thunder's blowout loss at Denver last Wednesday was an opportunity for rookie James Harden to regain his offensive rhythm. "Even though we lost by a lot, it was a chance for me to get my feel back with my shot and just be aggressive and I carried it over into (Friday's) game," Harden said. Prior to the Nuggets game, Harden had scored in double digits only one time in the previous six games. Over that six-game span, Harden had made just 15 of 42 shots (35.7 percent) and had missed 14 of his 19 3-point attempts. Against Denver, though, Harden scored 19 points, his most since scoring a career-high 26 on Dec. 7 against Golden State. And he got to ..."

No deal, no problem for Scott Brooks; James Harden finding his groove

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February 19

The Oklahoman

"Thunder coach Scott Brooks spent the past few days avoiding discussing the team's trade options or divulging his opinion on whether Oklahoma City should make a move before Thursday's deadline. And now that the Thunder has moved forward without a shakeup, Brooks won't be heard complaining. Brooks' attention has been on getting the most out of the players he has under his guidance rather than opining about opportunities that might have been out there. And with the Thunder at 31-21, it's become impossible for Brooks not like what his eyes have seen. "The focus and the concentration level is at a high level," Brooks said. "And when you have that with talented players, you're going to improve. ..."

Thunder's James Harden is proud of his defense

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February 12

The Oklahoman

"The first thing you notice about James Harden is the beard. Because his beard has grown so long he's starting to resemble Abe Lincoln, Harden looks older than a 20-year-old NBA rookie. Scott Pera, having coached the 6-foot-5 shooting guard in high school and at Arizona State, was asked if Harden grew it to hide a baby face. "I'll protect him on that," Pera said, laughing. "But you might be on to something. That's all I'm going to say." It was a beard-on-beard matchup that's been the highlight for Harden, who was selected as one of nine rookies for tonight's Rookie Challenge at American Airlines Center. In a recent 100-99 loss to the Cavaliers, a game in which the Thunder nearly upset the ..."

James Harden, Russell Westbrook looking forward to trash talk in Rookie-Sophomore game

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January 28

The Oklahoman

"James Harden, one of nine rookies selected for the Rookie-Sophomore Game Feb. 12 in Dallas, will be playing against Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook, one of nine second-year players selected. "Talking trash, just having fun and competing, that's what brings us closer (as a team)," Harden said, smiling. "(The rookies) will definitely win." It's not a Joe Namath Super Bowl III-like upset prediction. But the sophomores have won seven consecutive games. Kevin Durant scored 46 points to lead the sophomores to a 122-116 win last year in Phoenix."

Oklahoma City's Westbrook, Harden named to NBA Rookie Challenge

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January 27

The Oklahoman

"Oklahoma City teammates Russell Westbrook and James Harden will face each other in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, Feb. 12 in Dallas during NBA All-Star 2010. The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot. Westbrook joins 2009 Rookie of the Year Derrick Rose of Chicago on the Sophomore team. Other players on that team are Miami Heat forward Michael Beasley, Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon, Minnesota Timberwolves forward/center Kevin Love, New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez, New York Knicks forward Danilo Gallinari and a pair of teammates from the Memphis ..."

Serge Ibaka, James Harden earning fourth-quarter minutes

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December 22

The Oklahoman

"Rookies Serge Ibaka and James Harden continue to be the two biggest surprises this season with their strong and steady play off the bench. Lately, they've been rewarded with the much desired duty of closing games down the stretch. Harden played all 12 fourth-quarter minutes in Saturday's 95-90 road loss to Houston. Ibaka played all but 1 minute, 40 seconds in the final period. In Wednesday's 109-98 home win over Detroit, Harden played the entire fourth quarter while Ibaka played all but the period's final 2 minutes, 39 seconds. "Serge is really coming along and improving every game," said Thunder coach Scott Brooks. "He's doing that because he's working hard. He deserves the success that ..."

Big finish lifts Oklahoma City Thunder over Pistons Thunder 109, Pistons 98

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December 19

The Oklahoman

"Led by bench players James Harden and Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City raced to a 109-98 win over the banged up Detroit Pistons.Harden scored 14 points off the bench, nine in the fourth quarter, to help the Thunder build a 95-82 lead to break open a see-saw game. Ibaka scored a season-high 12 points and grabbed five rebounds.Riding a three-game losing streak entering the game - and facing a tough three-game road trip afterward - notching a win probably was more important than usual for a mid-December contest."

James Harden knows how to draw the line

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December 8

The Oklahoman

"In case Thunder fans haven't realized it by now, James Harden is more than a perimeter shooter. Harden scored a career-high 26 points in the Thunder's 104-88 win over Golden State Warriors on Monday night at the Ford Center. Half his points came at the line. Before last year's NBA Draft, Harden was best known as a left-handed sharpshooter. What was rarely mentioned is he got to the line as frequently as any player in Arizona State history other than Ike Diogu. "In college, I wasn't a spot-up guy at all," Harden said. "I'm just getting used to this great league, picking my spots, learning how to create shots for me and my teammates." Harden was 13-of-14 at the line, grabbed nine rebounds ..."

James Harden making an impression in practice

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October 20

The Oklahoman

"Rookie James Harden was held out of last Wednesday's game against Miami in Tulsa and didn't like the feeling of sitting. But he understood. Thunder coach Scott Brooks is toying with his rotation early to give players a fair shot while also using these exhibition games to evaluate everyone as adequately as possible. But Harden responded in a big way over the next few days, Brooks said, putting together his best two practices of the season Friday and Sunday."He came back really focused on improving. I like the fact that he did that," Brooks said.Brooks said the No. 3 overall pick is steadily improving but has the same challenge as all players, picking up the game's faster pace in games and ..."

Thunder rookie James Harden suffers second setback of training camp

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October 1

The Oklahoman

"Thunder rookie James Harden has had a forgettable start to his first NBA training camp. The No. 3 overall pick sprained his left ankle midway through practice Wednesday and couldn't complete a session for the second time in as many days. Coach Scott Brooks said following the first of Wednesday's two-a-day sessions that Harden sustained a mild rolled ankle during a routine pick-and-roll play but "probably would be back" for the evening portion. Harden, however, left the team's training facility walking with the aid of one crutch, which could be a preventative measure or indicate the injury is more serious."

Thunder players rave about James Harden

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September 30

The Oklahoman

"Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Shaun Livingston made a bold proclamation when asked the impact James Harden might have this season. "He has the type of ability he could run away with Rookie of the Year, depending on what that guy in LA does," Livingston said. "That shows how much confidence I have in him, how much I believe in him." Reminded "that guy in LA," Blake Griffin, the No. 1 pick who played at OU, is a local icon, Livingston said: "I don't want people around here to be mad at me. But (Harden) is the No. 3 pick and I still think he's underrated. "The kid is experienced beyond his age. He has a point guard's feel for the game in a two-guard's body. He can score, play defense, get ..."

James Harden suffers minor setback

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September 30

The Oklahoman

"James Harden had a rude welcome to the NBA on the opening day of his first training camp Tuesday. The No. 3 overall pick was accidentally poked in the eye by a teammate and had to leave practice near the conclusion of the session to get it treated as a precaution. The incident was labeled minor by a team spokesman, and Harden was scheduled to play in the night session that wrapped up the first two-a-day of camp. Harden was leaving the practice court at the same time media members were allowed into the gym and wasn't available for comment. Thunder coach Scott Brooks said the rookie performed well in his first real NBA practice before the setback. "James really buys into wanting to get ..."

James Harden impresses Thunder coach Scott Brooks

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July 12

The Oklahoman

"is no different than the average Thunder fan who watched Oklahoma City's five games in the Orlando Pro Summer league. The Thunder coach became smitten at the poise and control with which No. 3 overall pick James Harden played. It wasn't Harden's seemingly effortless scoring ability, or his perceptive play-making skills, or even his all-out hustle that stood out most for Brooks. What left a lasting impression in Brooks' mind was how the former Arizona State shooting guard knew where to be on floor at all times, how he never got rattled and how he made his opponent play at his pace."He really has a great control to his game while he's on the floor," Brooks said. "He plays like he's been ..."

Thunder signs James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Byron Mullens

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July 12

The Oklahoman

"The Thunder announced Saturday that it has signed rookies James Harden, Serge Ibaka and Byron Mullens to contracts. Harden was the third overall pick in this year's draft, Mullens was selected 24th by Dallas and acquired in a draft-night trade and Ibaka was the team's 24th pick in the 2008 draft. Ibaka spent last season playing with Ricoh Manresa of the Spanish ACB League. He averaged 7.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and one block in 15.5 minutes per game. Per team policy, terms of the players' contracts were not disclosed. But under NBA rules as outlined in the collective bargaining agreement's rookie scale, Harden can sign for a maximum first-year salary of $4,004,160. Mullens and Ibaka can ..."

James Harden impresses with attitude and hustle

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July 8

The Oklahoman

"In the third quarter of Tuesday's 91-88 loss against Indiana, Oklahoma City rookie James Harden dribbled into the frontcourt and was swarmed by Pacers hopefuls Trey Johnson and Anthony Smith, getting the ball ripped away and losing possession. Harden immediately threw himself to the floor and atoned for his mistake, tying up Johnson and then winning the ensuing jump ball. It's that attitude and hustle that landed him in Oklahoma City, endearing him to GM Sam Presti and his front office staff. The 20-year-old Harden is a fighter, making him the perfect fit for a team trying to carve out an identity as an intense, defense-oriented outfit that will fight you for every inch. Diving on the ..."

Thunder selects James Harden with the third overall pick in the NBA Draft

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June 26

The Oklahoman

"James Harden pounded his cream three-piece suit and bow-tie-covered chest and smiled.The Oklahoma City Thunder had just made the Arizona State shooting guard the third overall pick in Thursday night's NBA Draft. Harden is now the newest member of the Thunder's talented young core, joining Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook. The Pac-10 Player of the Year seemingly will become the team's shooting guard of the future and serve as the answer to the Thunder's perimeter shooting problems last season.The Thunder passed on Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio, who is widely considered the second best prospect behind former Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin. In doing so, Oklahoma City avoided a ..."