Houston Rockets: 3 takeaways from huge Game 4 vs. Warriors

1. James Harden is a different breed

Just days after knocking down his signature step-back over the outstretched arm of Andre Iguodala to help the Rockets survive in a must-win Game 3, James Harden would make his return to the hardwood and provide a sellout crowd of 18,055 fans with yet another grand show at the Toyota Center.

For the second time in the last three nights, Harden proved to be the ultimate star of stars, as the reigning MVP constantly worked to exploit mismatches out in isolation. He mixed up his attack to set his defenders up with an onset of 3-point shots and floaters inside that would provide the combo guard with the chance to create space and establish his rhythm from the immediate onset.

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Harden, who has scored 79 points on 37-for-61 shooting from the field over the last two games, surpassed Chauncey Billups for 12th place on the all-time 3-pointers made list in the postseason with his 38-point explosion in Game 4.

"“He been attacking since he was at Artesia High School,” Warriors forward Kevin Durant told reporters about his former teammate’s latest stretch. “Ain’t nothing changed but the jersey.”"

Although most of Harden’s skeptics will continue to allude to the national narrative that he does not play up to par on basketball’s brightest stage, no one can deny that the Beard is truly in a unique class of his own when it comes to his game itself.

In a game that the Rockets desperately needed to avoid staring down the depths of a 3-1 series deficit, Harden would find a way to overcome his lacerated eyelid yet again and put together one of his most efficient offensive performances on the playoffs.

He showed exactly why he is regarded as one of the greatest players in his profession, as the player who spent hours before game time getting shots up appears to be ready to take the next official step in his illustrious career.

At this point, Harden seems hellbent upon proving that hard work indeed pays off, even for stars that strive for more.

The Rockets will now look to rest and recover prior to heading back to Oakland for Game 5 on Wednesday night.