Since acquiring him from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2012, the Houston Rockets have enjoyed some great success under the steady hand of James Harden. Tuesday night in particular marked the fifth season in seven years that the Rockets won 50 games since trading for Harden.
For all the criticism Harden receives about the playoff performances, Houston has enjoyed awesome regular season success during his tenure with the team. It may not be the NBA finals that the Rockets came so close to making last season, but it’s definitely not something that should be ignored.
This would be the eighth career 50-win season that Harden’s enjoyed for his career if not for the lockout-shortened season in 2011-12 where the Oklahoma City Thunder won 47 games. Harden has also yet to miss the playoffs for his 10-year career.
Houston wouldn’t be in the position they are if not for Harden’s heroics. This season, Harden’s averaged 36.4 points, 7.6 assists, 6.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game on 61.4% true shooting.
With four games remaining in the season, the Rockets are set to finish with homecourt advantage going into the playoffs and may even finish as high as second in the Western Conference.
