News for James Harden - 2020 8 Category, $200 Cap, 4G/4F/2C

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Wed Jul 17 201917:29Oklahoma City Thunder's rebuild will take some time
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Yosef Maaroof wanted one more Russell Westbrook memory in Oklahoma City.When he learned Thursday night the Thunder were planning to send Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and draft picks, the 20-year-old Tulsa resident planned to make the two-hour drive to Oklahoma City with friends. They wanted to take videos and photos in front of the large images of Thunder players that adorn Chesapeake Energy Arena during the season, hoping Westbrook's photo would still be up on Friday morning.It wasn't, so Maaroof came up with a different tribute. In a video he posted on Twitter, he put on the Westbrook jerseys he's collected since 2012 , took them off one by one and laid them side by side in front of the arena. He wore 18 in the video, which has been viewed more than 85,000 times.Maaroof said Westbrook has always been his favorite player. And the next addition to his collection will be a Rockets jersey."He was never perfect, but just the emotion he showed — he was... [More]
Tue Jul 16 201902:50Oklahoma City Thunder's rebuild will take some time
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Yosef Maaroof wanted one more Russell Westbrook memory in Oklahoma City.When he learned Thursday night the Thunder were planning to send Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and draft picks, the 20-year-old Tulsa resident planned to make the two-hour drive to Oklahoma City with friends. They wanted to take videos and photos in front of the large images of Thunder players that adorn Chesapeake Energy Arena during the season, hoping Westbrook's photo would still be up on Friday morning.It wasn't, so Maaroof came up with a different tribute. In a video he posted on Twitter, he put on the Westbrook jerseys he's collected since 2012 , took them off one by one and laid them side by side in front of the arena. He wore 18 in the video, which has been viewed more than 85,000 times.Maaroof said Westbrook has always been his favorite player. And the next addition to his collection will be a Rockets jersey."He was never perfect, but just the emotion he showed — he was... [More]
Fri Jul 12 201914:29Analysis: Westbrook, Harden will need to change their games
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Everyone knows that Russell Westbrook and James Harden played together before, which automatically makes their reunion in Houston seem like the right fit.It won't be that easy.They've both changed since those days.But here they are, together again after the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to trade Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and another load of draft picks that Sam Presti is collecting in the same way that sneakerheads hoard vintage pairs of Jordans. On the surface, it's a shiny move for Houston — two of the last three NBA MVPs, the two guys with the most points over the last five seasons, in the same backcourt.Per NBA rules, there will only be one ball in play, however.The term they use is "ball dominant," a fancy way of saying certain players need the ball in their hands more than others. Westbrook and Harden are two of those guys. Harden held the ball for nearly 6½ seconds — a league high — and took nearly six dribbles, on average, every time he touched... [More]
Fri Jul 12 201913:59Analysis: Westbrook, Harden will need to change their games
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Everyone knows that Russell Westbrook and James Harden played together before, which automatically makes their reunion in Houston seem like the right fit.It won't be that easy.They've both changed since those days.But here they are, together again after the Oklahoma City Thunder decided to trade Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and another load of draft picks that Sam Presti is collecting in the same way that sneakerheads hoard vintage pairs of Jordans. On the surface, it's a shiny move for Houston — two of the last three NBA MVPs, the two guys with the most points over the last five seasons, in the same backcourt.Per NBA rules, there will only be one ball in play, however.The term they use is "ball dominant," a fancy way of saying certain players need the ball in their hands more than others. Westbrook and Harden are two of those guys. Harden held the ball for nearly 6½ seconds — a league high — and took nearly six dribbles, on average, every time he touched... [More]
Thu Jul 11 201923:39AP source: Russell Westbrook going to Rockets for Chris Paul
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Russell Westbrook and James Harden are together again, and Chris Paul is leaving Houston to make that reunion happen.A person with knowledge of the situation says the Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Paul in a swapping of top point guards. The Thunder also are getting first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, plus the right to swap first-rounders in two other seasons, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the trade has not been announced.ESPN first reported the agreement.Paul is a nine-time All-Star, Westbrook an eight-time selection. Paul has 9,181 career assists, the most among active players. Westbrook has 138 triple-doubles, tied with Magic Johnson for second-most in NBA history behind only Oscar Robertson's 181. Both members of Houston's new glitzy backcourt are recent MVPs: Westbrook won it in 2017, Harden won it in 2018. And the trade means that the NBA's two highest scorers... [More]
Thu Jul 11 201921:49AP source: Russell Westbrook going to Rockets for Chris Paul
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Russell Westbrook and James Harden are together again, and Chris Paul is leaving Houston to make that reunion happen.A person with knowledge of the situation says the Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Paul in a swapping of top point guards. The Thunder also are getting first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, plus the right to swap first-rounders in two other seasons, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the trade has not been announced.ESPN first reported the agreement.Paul is a nine-time All-Star, Westbrook an eight-time selection. Paul has 9,181 career assists, the most among active players. Westbrook has 138 triple-doubles, tied with Magic Johnson for second-most in NBA history behind only Oscar Robertson's 181. Both members of Houston's new glitzy backcourt are recent MVPs: Westbrook won it in 2017, Harden won it in 2018. And the trade means that the NBA's two highest scorers... [More]
Thu Jul 11 201921:29AP source: Russell Westbrook going to Rockets for Chris Paul
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Russell Westbrook and James Harden are together again, and Chris Paul is leaving Houston to make that reunion happen.A person with knowledge of the situation says the Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Paul in a swapping of top point guards. The Thunder also are getting first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, plus the right to swap first-rounders in two other seasons, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the trade has not been announced.ESPN first reported the agreement.Paul is a nine-time All-Star, Westbrook an eight-time selection. Paul has 9,181 career assists, the most among active players. Westbrook has 138 triple-doubles, tied with Magic Johnson for second-most in NBA history behind only Oscar Robertson's 181.Westbrook and Harden were Thunder teammates for three seasons, the last of those in 2011-12 when that duo and Kevin Durant took Oklahoma City to the NBA Finals. They... [More]
Thu Jul 11 201921:09AP source: Russell Westbrook going to Rockets for Chris Paul
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A person with knowledge of the situation says the Oklahoma City Thunder have traded Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul, a shake up of top point guards and a move that reunites Westbrook with James Harden.The Thunder also are getting first-round picks in 2024 and 2026, plus the right to swap first-rounders in two other seasons, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday because the trade has not been announced.ESPN first reported the agreement.It is part of a massive shake up by Oklahoma City, which traded Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers and now sends Westbrook — its franchise player — to another West rival while adding to an enormous stockpiling of draft picks. The Thunder got five first-rounders in the trade with the Clippers for George.And it splits up the pairing of Paul and Harden in Houston, a team with title aspirations. Westbrook and Harden were Thunder teammates, part of a team along with Kevin Durant that went to the 2012 NBA Finals and lost to LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat.___More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
Sat Jul 6 201923:48Analysis: It's a new day in the NBA, and a welcomed change
LAS VEGAS (AP) — There is no favorite.This is what the NBA wanted. And needed.The biggest piece of valid criticism about the league in recent years has been it's predictable. Golden State got to the last five NBA Finals. LeBron James had made it there eight years in a row, four with Miami and then four more with Cleveland. Brooklyn used to be the 'other' team in New York, and the Clippers used to be the 'other' team in Los Angeles.No more.Welcome to a new NBA. If you think the Clippers can win it all next season, or the Lakers, or Utah, or Philadelphia, or Milwaukee, or Houston, or Denver, or even Golden State and maybe a few others, you're right.Technically, there is a favorite: The sports books in Las Vegas, after hearing the news that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are heading to the Clippers, listed them as the best bet Saturday to win the 2020 NBA championship. Yes, the Clippers. A team that has won exactly four playoff series since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. A team that had 12... [More]
Sat Jul 6 201918:48Analysis: It's a new day in the NBA, and a welcomed change
LAS VEGAS (AP) — There is no favorite.This is what the NBA wanted. And needed.The biggest piece of valid criticism about the league in recent years has been its predictable. Golden State got to the last five NBA Finals. LeBron James had made it there eight years in a row, four with Miami and then four more with Cleveland. Brooklyn used to be the 'other' team in New York, and the Clippers used to be the 'other' team in Los Angeles.No more.Welcome to a new NBA. If you think the Clippers can win it all next season, or the Lakers, or Utah, or Philadelphia, or Milwaukee, or Houston, or Denver, or even Golden State and maybe a few others, you're right.Technically, there is a favorite: The sports books in Las Vegas, after hearing the news that Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are heading to the Clippers, listed them as the best bet Saturday to win the 2020 NBA championship. Yes, the Clippers. A team that has won exactly four playoff series since moving to Los Angeles in 1984. A team that had 12 consecutive... [More]
Fri Jun 28 201915:18Analysis: In big-money times, NBA teams face biggest risks
Golden State owner and CEO Joe Lacob often uses the same phrase when asked about how much money the Warriors are willing to spend to keep a championship-contending roster together."Whatever it takes," Lacob says.In the NBA, those words have never been as weighty.The summer spending starts Sunday in the NBA, with teams and players set to reach agreements on more than $2 billion — maybe even more than $3 billion — in new deals over the next few days. It's a risk-reward play, one where teams must dig deeply into their pockets to land the best players and hope that those massive financial commitments don't end up crippling their franchise for years.The Warriors are likely to offer Kevin Durant a $221 million, five-year deal that will come with two big pills for the team to swallow. One, he'll be on a $38 million scholarship next season while he recovers from Achilles surgery and cannot play. And two, Durant would be owed more than $50 million when his then-35-year-old self plays the final year... [More]
Fri May 17 201912:27Not every NBA player will put body on line to take a charge
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Toronto guard Kyle Lowry squarely planted his feet and braced for contact with Milwaukee Bucks athletic big man Giannis Antetokounmpo barreling down on him.Lowry, one of the best in basketball at taking a charge, absorbed the punishment and drew a foul against the 6-foot-11 Antetokounmpo. These days, not everybody is willing to do what Lowry does in the fast-paced, open-floor NBA game."I think it's kind of a lost art," DeMarcus Cousins of the Golden State Warriors said of taking a charge.Spurs coach Gregg Popovich won't argue that sentiment."It seems so, doesn't it? You can count on one hand how many charges are taken over the course of five or 10 games, in some situations," Popovich said with a chuckle. "You see it a lot more in college than you do in the NBA. Maybe they're protecting their contracts, don't want to get hurt, I don't know. There aren't very many, that's for sure."Successfully taking a charge is difficult and even those who are willing to try won't... [More]
Mon May 13 201919:46Warriors' Durant likely out for Games 1 and 2 vs Blazers
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant watched from home in the Bay Area as the Golden State Warriors finished off James Harden and the Houston Rockets on the road.The two-time reigning NBA Finals MVP has a bit more cheerleading to do before he gets back on the court.Durant is likely to miss Games 1 and 2 of the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trail Blazers while he recovers from a strained right calf. Durant was injured in Game 5 against Houston."Everyone needs to slow down a little bit on the Kevin stuff. He hasn't even stepped on the floor yet," coach Steve Kerr said Monday, a day before Game 1, noting a more extensive update would come Thursday.Golden State showed it can win without KD: Stephen Curry came alive at last in the second half of the clincher at Houston, scoring all 33 of his points after the break.Curry and Splash Brother Klay Thompson will look to build off strong performances in that final game against the Rockets to lead the top-seeded Warriors. The two-time... [More]
Sat May 11 201918:55Rockets ousted from playoffs by Warriors again
HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden and the Houston Rockets were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors yet again.Now the Rockets are left to ponder how they'll get over the hump and past the Warriors to contend for a title.The two-time defending champion Warriors beat Houston 118-113 in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals on Friday night despite the absence of Kevin Durant and behind 33 second-half points from Stephen Curry to send the Rockets home for the fourth postseason in the last five years.With each early playoff exit, the Rockets vow to find a way to defeat the Warriors and get their first championship since winning back-to-back titles in 1994-95. But year after year they are unable to do that and are faced with questions about whether this team ever will.Despite the latest disappointment, team owner and casino and restaurant magnate Tilman Fertitta remains confident Harden will be able to lead them to a title soon."I can promise you, we're going to win some championships with... [More]
Thu May 9 201918:14Warriors look to eliminate Rockets on Friday without Durant
HOUSTON (AP) — In the Western Conference finals last season, the Houston Rockets had home-court advantage and took a 3-2 lead over the Golden State Warriors before Houston star Chris Paul went down with a hamstring injury that kept him out for the rest of the series.As these teams prepare for Game 6 of the conference semifinals Friday night, the Warriors find themselves in almost the same situation Houston was in last year.The Warriors are just a win away from advancing to the conference finals for the fifth straight time, but will have to do it without NBA-playoffs leading scorer Kevin Durant, who will miss the rest of the series with a strained right calf.The two-time defending champions took advantage of Paul's injury in 2018 to win two straight after falling behind 3-2 and eliminated the Rockets on their home court to advance.The Rockets don't want to see Golden State celebrate a series victory on their home court again and are determined to bounce back after Wednesday night's loss... [More]
Wed May 8 201903:43Durant-Harden duel may go distance; Bucks can finish Celtics
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant vs. James Harden. This duel may just go the distance, and the two stars know it.Everyone figured the Western Conference semifinal between Golden State and Houston had a chance to be more like the NBA Finals in terms of talent on each side, and now it's tied at 2-all.The NBA's best are dazzling on defense and trading big shots on offense."The way both teams are playing with such intensity and aggression, it's fun to be out there," Durant said. "We're looking forward to Game 5."The series resumes Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, which could host its final game if Golden State doesn't handle business at home. The Warriors will move to new Chase Center in San Francisco next season."The mood's good. Playoffs, this is what it's about," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday afternoon once his team touched down in Oakland. "Our team has been here many times. We've been in much worse situations, being down in a series, being on the road for Game 7s. We've pretty... [More]
Tue May 7 201921:33Durant-Harden duel may go distance; Bucks can finish Celtics
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant vs. James Harden. This duel may just go the distance, and the two stars know it.Everyone figured the Western Conference semifinal between Golden State and Houston had a chance to be more like the NBA Finals in terms of talent on each side, and now it's tied at 2-all.The NBA's best are dazzling on defense and trading big shots on offense."The way both teams are playing with such intensity and aggression, it's fun to be out there," Durant said. "We're looking forward to Game 5."The series resumes Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, which could host its final game if Golden State doesn't handle business at home. The Warriors will move to new Chase Center in San Francisco next season."The mood's good. Playoffs, this is what it's about," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Tuesday afternoon once his team touched down in Oakland. "Our team has been here many times. We've been in much worse situations, being down in a series, being on the road for Game 7s. We've pretty... [More]
Tue May 7 201917:43Durant-Harden duel may go distance; Bucks can finish Celtics
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Kevin Durant vs. James Harden. This duel may just go the distance, and the two stars know it.Everyone figured the Western Conference semifinal between Golden State and Houston had a chance to be more like the NBA Finals in terms of talent on each side, and now it's tied at 2-all.The NBA's best are dazzling on defense and trading big shots on offense."The way both teams are playing with such intensity and aggression, it's fun to be out there," Durant said. "We're looking forward to Game 5."The series resumes Wednesday night at Oracle Arena, which could host its final game if Golden State doesn't handle business at home. The Warriors will move to new Chase Center in San Francisco next season."Nothing's really happened yet. Both teams have won two home games," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.Also Wednesday, Boston will try to stave off elimination playing at Milwaukee. The Bucks are up 3-1."These kinds of situations show a lot about people," Celtics coach Brad Stevens... [More]
Sun May 5 201917:36Bucks-Celtics, Warriors-Rockets ready for Game 4s
The scenario is simple right now for Milwaukee and Golden State: Win a road game on Monday, go home toting a 3-1 series lead and be one win away from a spot in the NBA's version of the Final Four.The scenario is equally simple for Boston and Houston: Win a home game on Monday, or else.Top-seeded Milwaukee leads fourth-seeded Boston 2-1 in their Eastern Conference semifinal series, and top-seeded Golden State leads fourth-seeded Houston 2-1 in their Western Conference semifinal. The Celtics and the Rockets host Game 4s, knowing a win will earn them a berth in what becomes a best-of-three showdown and knowing a loss places them squarely on the abyss that overlooks elimination."It's a great opportunity to respond," Celtics coach Brad Stevens said.Boston had the home-court edge over Milwaukee, then gave it back with a loss on Friday night. Houston was a bounce or two away from getting into the most-dreaded 3-0 hole against Golden State, then rallied to win Game 3 on Saturday night and keep... [More]
Fri May 3 201917:55Rockets look to avoid falling in 0-3 hole against Warriors
HOUSTON (AP) — James Harden knows the success or failure of the Houston Rockets falls on him regardless of what the rest of the team does in the Western Conference semifinals against the Golden Warriors.That burden, he says, is one that most people can't understand but that makes him better, something he'll need to be if the Rockets hope to avoid falling into a 0-3 hole Saturday night when they host Game 3."How can I explain it," he asked. "If you've never been in that situation before or don't know what it feels like I can't give you the (feeling)."Last year's MVP and a front-runner this season thrives on that pressure and is ready for the challenge facing him as the Rockets try to close the gap in the series."It makes me who I am and I wouldn't expect anyone who hasn't been in this position or doesn't got the world on their shoulders to get it," he said.Harden is recovering after both of his eyes were injured in the first quarter of Game 2 when he was hit by Golden State's Draymond Green... [More]
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