Berry Tramel: “The Thunder tried to downplay the Harden reunion angle, but Durant admitted it “felt a little awkward, looking across there and seeing him with another team. We gotta get past that.” The Thunder got past it just fine in Game 1 of this Western Conference playoff series. Most possessions started with Thabo Sefolosha dogging Harden, but when the Thunder switches — with Durant or Russell Westbrook or even Serge Ibaka moving onto Harden — it neutralizes Houston’s pick-and-roll offense. No one knows better than Oklahoma City how productive Harden can be in the pick-and-roll.”
Ben Golliver of SI.com: “The Rockets definitely got a taste of the best the Western Conference has to offer, and Harden’s attempt at optimism is in line with Morey’s pre-playoffs excitement. Given how the match-ups broke, this year was mostly about getting the Rockets’ young core their first set of playoff repetitions together, with an eye towards the future. The Rockets’ regrouping message for Game 2 should be simple: There’s no shame in getting blown out by the Thunder, who led the league with a +9.2 margin of victory, on an off night. Play sharper and shoot better and a more competitive contest awaits. That said, the series goal has crystallized quickly for Houston: try to avoid the sweep.” Keep Reading…
The next chapter begins with closing the last one
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It begins as it should.
The Thunder’s fourth voyage into the up and down jungle known as the NBA Playoffs begins with James Harden. It’s appropriate. The only thing more appropriate is if the Rockets somehow switched conferences before the season then made a surprising run to the Finals where the Thunder then faced Harden as their final hurdle toward winning an NBA title.
It’s fitting though it starts with Harden because he’s going to define the Thunder’s 2012-13 season one way or the other. Even if the Rockets don’t beat the them in this opening round, Harden can still beat the Thunder. Because unless Oklahoma City’s season ends with a win, Harden’s absence will be the focus. He’s cast a shadow over this season, and it’s one that will forever hover unless the Thunder raise a banner. Keep Reading…