These step-back 3s are sent from another planet

James Harden is dribbling up to the left wing, and the Houston Rockets are down three with 48 seconds left. Kevin Durant calls off Andre Iguodala. He wants to guard his former teammate in one of the most intense moments of the 2018-19 regular season.

Durant, one of the longest wing defenders this league has ever seen, picks up Harden about 35 feet from the rim. His arms are already raised to prevent even the longest 3s Harden might consider.

But it's not Durant's arms that Harden is focused on -- it's his Nikes. As the pair arrives at the 3-point line, Harden invites his old friend to dance. Harden crouches into his coil and begins to break down Durant. It won't take long. He's about to tie…