James Harden makes preseason debut with Rockets

James Harden, star of the Houston Rockets, predictably showed a bit of rustiness in his preseason debut at the Toyota Center on Tuesday night, just a day after participating in his first team workout.

In a 112-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs, Harden contributed 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals in just 21 minutes, shooting 3-for-10. This marked the first time first-year head coach Stephen Silas got to see his entire team in action.

Silas expressed, “It was very meaningful. You may have to inquire from the others, but from what I observed the team spirit was quite high. Having a gifted player on the court is beneficial for everybody. It might require some adjustment for a few, but in the NBA, the more skilled players you have, the higher your chances of winning games. So overall, it was a positive experience.”

“Delving into the specifics,” Silas continues, “men determining how they can effectively work together is an ongoing process. We’ll need to thoroughly study our game tapes to identify the most effective team dynamics, understand where each individual excels, and ensure that everyone has a role in our strategy. This is a significant challenge we face. We don’t have an abundance of time to perfect this, but we must pay attention to the details.”

Silas confessed that he lacked sufficient experience with Harden to determine whether the star guard was rusty in his exhibition debut. Additionally, the coach was unable to assess how near the former MVP is to reaching his regular-season form.

James Harden’s first points of the preseason came on a step-back 3-pointer.

“Clearly, I’ve competed against him numerous times over the years,” said Silas. “However, I’m unable to answer that question. I’m uncertain about his progress as I haven’t spent much time with him.”

Harden joined the Rockets training camp on Dec. 8, but was only permitted to train with the team on Monday after six consecutive COVID-19 negative tests. He didn’t participate in Houston’s initial two exhibition matches against the Chicago Bulls, similar to P.J. Tucker and Sterling Brown who also made their preseason first appearances against the Spurs.

Nonetheless, Silas promptly put Harden and Tucker in the starting lineup. Prior to the game, Silas had initially stated his intention to give both around 20 minutes of playtime, with Brown’s time on the court capped at roughly 12 minutes.

Harden and Tucker each played for 21 minutes, whereas Brown remained on the floor for 24 minutes.

“Silas had high praise for Harden, stating, “He was good. It’s clear that he’s a great player who can execute numerous actions both on and off the ball. In terms of defense, he’s deft with his hands, can create plays, and is intelligent. It was wonderful having him out there.”

Harden and Tucker efficiently utilized their short span of time. Harden scored a step-back 3-pointer on his very first attempt of the night, before drawing a foul while attempting another deep shot during Houston’s subsequent court visit. He managed to shoot all three free throws successfully, raising his score to six points in less than three minutes into the game.

Meanwhile, Tucker made a successful first attempt at a corner 3-pointer before finishing the night with 8 points, a rebound, and an assist. Brown also contributed to the game with 2 points, 6 rebounds, and two steals.

“Being out there with the team again felt amazing,” said guard Ben McLemore. “Having a full team to compete with is always incredible. We’re all thrilled to have everyone back.”

Despite Harden and Tucker’s limited playtime, their first exhibition games provided a temporary respite from the recent turmoil within the organization. Reports suggest that Harden has asked for a trade, while Tucker, who is in his contract’s last year, has shown discontent about the lack of an extension offer from the team.

John Wall, the new point guard for Houston, who was traded for Russell Westbrook and a first-round pick on Dec. 2, had primary ball handling duties in the team’s first two preseason games. Wall acknowledged that Harden’s return slightly altered this dynamic, but he also expressed optimism about the Rockets’ potential offensive capabilities this season.

Silas noted, “having two dynamic ball handlers on the floor can be really beneficial.”

In his first game playing with Harden, Wall ended up with 15 points and three assists.

“In the beginning, it was a bit unusual for me as I’m typically in possession of the ball,” Wall admitted. “However, we were continuously communicating during the game and on the sidelines. There were instances where if he had the ball, I could figure out how to run ahead and receive outlet passes from him, while also allowing him to maintain his aggression. I assured him that I’m not fixated on scoring 30 or 40 points. My role is to function as the point guard and leader on the court, aim to provide shots for the team, and also be assertive to facilitate the offense. Simultaneously, we acknowledge your status as James Harden, a top-notch scorer in this league. So, regardless of the situation, play your game.”

Harden did not make an appearance for the media after his debut on Tuesday, and Wall mentioned he has no intention of discouraging his new teammate from his attempts to transition to a new team.

“James and I had a good relationship even before we became teammates. I never imagined we would end up playing on the same team,” said Wall. “Ultimately, he will do what’s best for him, just as the organization will do what’s in their best interests. The key is that when we are on the court, our focus is on the game. I don’t pry into his personal decisions because that’s his private matter. My concern is about how we can work together to make the Rockets the best team possible for as long as we’re all here, and how we can progress from there.”

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Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.

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