No one knows that better than James Harden, who had to bide his time, come off the bench and grow his game—and his beard—on the journey to superstar status with the Houston Rockets.
And this year is no different. Coming off a season where his greatness was not fully appreciated, he’s had to remind everyone, including those who declined to vote him onto any of the All-NBA teams last season, of his abilities.
So when the Western Conference Player of the Week spoke with deference about his former teammate, Russell Westbrook, who, along with Harden, are the first players to average at least 30 points and 10 assists through the first 10 games since Oscar Robertson, everybody listened.