Nets star James Harden presented an MVP-level performance in San Antonio on Monday. It was just the warm-up, as the former vice president returned Wednesday to the long-awaited return to Houston.
“Yeah, I’m excited to be back in Houston, where I basically had an amazing career there,” Harden said. “They showed me crazy love and respect and I’m excited to play in front of these fans. Yeah, I’m pretty excited.”
Harden won the last three scoring titles with the Rockets and challenged Golden State’s dominance in the West, playing under current Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni. But after the team left the playoffs last season and forced a move to Brooklyn in January, it is now back for the first time.
“[My] the weather was fantastic, ”said Harden. “Obviously we fell short of winning a championship or even a final, but only the work I did, hopefully those fans would appreciate everything I’ve done on and off the track and I continue to do so. I cut because it’s a place I call home.
“He is always at home and I feel that I am still part of everything, of the struggles and everything that happens. I’m excited to go back and see the familiar faces, see my family and play a game and the last game before the break.
Nic Claxton finished with 17 maximum points in the race in 17 minutes for a convincing performance. He fired 7 of 9 from the ground, had three blocks and shook himself not only with his left ankle rolled up, but a shot in the face.
“Feeling good. Back in the trenches honestly, get a little hooked and keep playing, it feels good. Take care of my body and I’ll be ready when we play in Houston,” Claxton said after just his fourth match of the season.
“It simply came to our notice then. I had a bit of a pace and started to get my legs back a bit, so it felt good to be out and the teammates found me. James especially put me in positions to score. When the game is so simple for me, I will take that money for free every time. “
After Claxton had 13 in the second quarter alone, Steve Nash praised his mobility and work.
“Nic, we know talent,” Nash said. “We all believe in Nic’s ability and in what he brings, but sometimes this development takes time. Sometimes you can be very prone to mistakes, especially when you haven’t played basketball, but your ability to move your feet really makes up for a lot of things on the floor. He can defend multiple positions.
“He’s so active, even when he’s mastered, that he makes it really hard in big grains. Viouslybviament tonight was his big game, but he has to keep developing, know the game plan, gain experience and confidence, but tonight was fantastic, and we all believe in him and think he can keep improving. ”