James Harden On Rockets: ‘I Love What We Have’

The Houston Rockets seemed to fall apart last season after reaching the Western Conference Finals. The relationship between Dwight Howard and superstar James Harden eroded, and the once-promising Rockets barely made the NBA playoffs with a .500 record.

Fortunately for Houston, things have turned around drastically this season. Howard may have left the franchise for the Atlanta Hawks, but the team brought in head coach Mike D’Antoni who has seemingly figured out how to get the best out of Harden.

As of Wednesday, the Rockets are sitting comfortably in the third seed in the West with Harden as happy as can be as a legitimate MVP candidate. Harden said the following about his team with the NBA trade deadline looming (Feb. 23), via ESPN’s Calvin Watkins:

“I love what we have, love it,” leading scorer MVP candidate James Harden said Wednesday. “From top to bottom, we have depth. You can throw any guy in there and they know their role, that’s important. I’m going to ride with these guys for sure.”

Even though the Rockets may be considered a second-tier team when compared to the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, and Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston seems to have something going as the D’Antoni era begins.

It seems as though the Rockets have taken the place of the Los Angeles Clippers in the West as a team on the rise with promising young players and a proven star leading the way. Houston may be a player away from being in the title-contending conversation and might be able to surprise some people in the playoffs as long as the team’s core can stay healthy.