HOUSTON — James Harden had options.
On a possession last month in Oklahoma City, the Rockets guard got a step on Thunder defender Corey Brewer. In front of Harden, Steven Adams was deep in the paint. To Harden's left, Carmelo Anthony was sagging off Luc Mbah a Mute, a 3-point threat Harden could hit with a pass. Another shooter, Eric Gordon, was available in the corner.
Harden swished a floater. But his sheer number of choices was telling.
When the NBA season began, the Thunder's game against the Rockets on Saturday was worth circling, a potential matchup between high-powered teams fighting for high playoff seeds.