James Harden Wants To Retire As A Rocket

James Harden has had a remarkable three years with the Houston Rockets. He started his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he was considered an electrifying bench presence and won the 2011-12 Sixth Man of the Year Award.

Once he was traded to the Rockets, though, he changed that perception almost overnight and is now considered a bonafide superstar and one of the five best players in the NBA in an era that could be considered a golden age of talent.

The Thunder opted to move Harden instead of paying the $60 million over four years that he was asking for (the Thunder were willing to pay $55.5 million, a difference of just over $1 million per year), and ended up receiving Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb and three draft picks in exchange.

If it wasn’t for that fateful trade after the 2011-12 season when the Thunder went in the NBA Finals and fell short against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat, Harden may never have emerged from the shadow of teammates Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.

In the three years he’s been in Houston, he’s found a home and has made the Rockets unquestionably his team.

In an interview with Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle this week, Harden expressed a desire to finish his career with the Rockets.

"Signed through the 2017-18 season, when asked if he intends to play the rest of his career in Houston, Harden did not hesitate.“Definitely,” Harden said. “Definitely it’s going to end here.”"

Harden just turned 26 years old in August, and he should have a long career ahead of him if he can remain injury-free. At times last season it seemed like he was the only player on the Rockets’ roster who wasn’t bogged down by injury, so his durability can’t be questioned.

If he’s able to play the rest of his career in Houston, a number of Rockets’ records are certain to fall.

He’s already fourth in three-point field goals, having made 564 of them in his time in Houston. Vernon Maxwell leads the way with 730 made three-pointers, and that is a record that Harden should own by the end of next season.

He is also in the top 10 all-time for free throws made and attempted for the Rockets, with Hakeem Olajuwon leading the way handily in both categories. However, while the 5,256 free throw attempt gap may seem daunting, Harden attempted 824 free throws last season. If Harden has another seven or eight years in him, it’s entirely reasonable that he may claim both records.

Feigen continues in his article, reminding readers that in spite of Harden’s outstanding resume, including finishing a very close second in the NBA MVP Award balloting to Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors last year, it hasn’t always been an easy road for Harden.

"Harden said he wants to a “legend” and a Hall of Famer. But he also cites the time he was not sure if he would play Division I basketball and still uses that to drive him."

With any player in their mid-20s, it’s far too soon to project any player not named Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird or LeBron James as a legend or Hall of Famer. But James Harden’s production is on track for greatness. If nothing else, his devotion to his team is unquestioned.

It’s rare when a marriage between team and superstar fits quite as well as this matchup between the Rockets and Harden does, but it works.

Harden has his home, and Houston has its superstar.

Next: NBA: Top 10 MVP Candidates In 2015-16

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