James Harden, the reigning MVP, is confident his Houston Rockets can dethrone the back-to-back champions.
The quest to prevent the Golden State Warriors from winning their third NBA title in a row begins on Sunday, when Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. hosts Harden and the Rockets at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time.
The Rockets have been itching to play the Warriors in the playoffs this season after Golden State bounced them in seven games in the Western Conference Finals last season.
When asked about this opportunity, Harden talked confidently about his squad.
“We’re a very confident group of guys. We’ve been that way the entire year,” Harden told reporters on Saturday, including ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “We’re more than capable. We’re excited about the opportunity. We know the difficulties and the challenges that are going to come along that way, but we’re prepared for them.”
Harden explained that “every possession, every game” will be a chance to win, and that his team will have to take advantage of that.
But Harden said he knows how “difficult” it is going to be.
The Rockets are healthy and happy and rolling full of momentum after bouncing the Utah Jazz in the first round in five games.
Being healthy is a big deal for the Rockets, who lost Chris Paul for Game 7 of the conference finals last season — a big reason why not just the the Rockets, but fans, think the Warriors eventually won the series.
The Warriors are banged up, and Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson are nursing ankle injuries and are questionable for Game 1.
This series will certainly be one to watch.
