Harden can’t wait to play Pacers here

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from showing support for the NBA’s 3x tournament involving 200 teams here this weekend, Houston star James Harden is in town to promote the Rockets’ preseason game against Indiana at the MOA Arena on Oct. 10.

Harden, 24, will be involved in making Philippine basketball history as the Houston-Indiana game is the first NBA contest ever to be played on local soil. Two years ago, Harden was in Manila to play in a two-game All-Star series during the NBA lockout. “I’m definitely excited to be back here,” said Harden in a one-on-one interview with The STAR at the Sofitel Hotel last Thursday. “I had a good experience last time I was here with the guys, so many beautiful people and amazing fans. I’m back just kind of prepping for an actual NBA game to be played here for everybody to get a chance to see the guys play, to see the Rockets play. It should be a great experience.”

With no hesitation, Harden said Houston will enjoy the homecourt advantage over the Pacers in Manila, jokingly adding that Filipino fans know the Rockets but not the Pacers. The Rockets will unveil newly recruited center Dwight Howard in the outing and Harden said he hopes the 6-11 former Los Angeles Laker is the answer. “We know what Dwight’s capable of (doing), he’s the best big man in the NBA,” said Harden. “We’re looking forward to it and we’re all excited for him to be in Houston. I’m both nervous and anxious at the same time.”

In the recent NBA playoffs, the Rockets bowed out of contention after losing 4-2 in a first round series to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Harden said it was weird that he went up against his team the previous three seasons. The Thunder took the first three games but the Rockets stormed back to win two in a row before succumbing. “It was a couple of games we let slip away, Game 3, Game 2, if we won those, it would’ve been a different scenario, a win by one point is all that matters,” he said. “We’re excited to have that playoff experience the first time together. Now, adding Dwight and a couple of other pieces, we should be better.”

Harden singled out Houston coach Kevin McHale as the Rockets’ driving force. “He’s had a major impact on our team, he’s got what it takes to win because he’s a winner himself,” said Harden referring to McHale’s three championships with the Boston Celtics as a player. “He can put us in the best possible situation to win every single game, at practice, that’s all that matters. As long as we’ve got somebody like him on our side who’s been through struggles, won championships, that gives us a definite advantage.”

As to playing for the US gold medal team at the London Olympics last year, Harden said it was a surreal experience. “Playing alongside all those great players, when I was younger, just getting a chance to watch those players, now just being alongside them, playing for our country for a championship, it meant the world to me,” he continued.

Before moving to Arizona State, Harden saw action for Artesia High School in Lakewood, California where Talk ‘N’ Text guard Ryan Reyes also played. “Ryan’s a little older than me (and) I’ve heard so many great things about him, great guy, tremendous talent,” he said. “I know his younger brother real well. I ran into Ryan a couple of years ago when I was here. Hopefully, I get a chance to see him again on this trip or when I come back in October.”

Harden said it was tough leaving Oklahoma City then playing against the Thunder in the playoffs. “It was a weird situation, being with the guys (Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City) the past few years, going to the Finals, being with them all summer for the Olympics, kind of split us up,” he said. “It was definitely weird and it hurt but it’s a business. Playing against those guys in the playoffs was definitely a weird situation but it’s a business and things had to be done.”

Harden said he broadened the scope of his game just by watching others play, learning and incorporating what he saw into his own style. “I try to be the best I can be out there, being in the gym all the time working on my shot, ball-handling, working on different things to get better,” he added.

Asked to name the man who has inspired him to play at the highest level of the game, Harden pointed to Kobe Bryant. “I was a Laker fan growing up in LA, rushing home after school to watch Kobe play,” he said. “I’m a tremendous fan, I have a lot of respect for him. Obviously, we don’t have similar games but his passion, will to win and work ethic are things I try to instill in myself.”

But Harden skipped Bryant in naming his all-time best five players in the NBA. He started with Shaquille O’Neal at center, calling him the most dominating big man ever. Then he chose Magic Johnson at point guard, Tim Duncan at power forward and LeBron James at the three spot. At shooting guard, Harden picked Michael Jordan. “I could sub for Jordan,” he chuckled. “I would be the sixth man.” Harden was the NBA’s Sixth Man awardee in 2011-12 when he was the league’s leading bench scorer with a 16.8 clip as an Oklahoma City reserve. This past season, he averaged 25.9 points, fifth in the NBA, as a Houston starter. In his Rockets debut, Harden erupted for 37 points and collected 12 assists, six rebounds and four steals.