NBA: 30 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 season
8. Thunder Buddies reunite in Houston
Russell Westbrook and James Harden were two-thirds of a Big Three that brought the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Finals in 2012. Fate soon sent them in separate directions for the betterment of their individual greatness, only to reunite them years later with a desire for the one accomplishment that’s alluded them both ever since.
Separated, these two have broken all types of individual records, statistical dynamos as the leaders of their respective franchises. How they are alongside each other with their newfound cache remains to be seen, but finding out won’t be devoid of entertainment.
“The bigger picture in the NBA is the championships, MVPs and all that nonsense but for me, it’s about brotherhood.”
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 27, 2019
— Russell Westbrook on his friendship with James Harden pic.twitter.com/4AwsFS6TMB
The latest backcourt pairing has chemistry that dates back to their childhoods in California. At the same time, they’re responsible for some of the most ball-dominant seasons in league history and making the necessary sacrifices could prove a greater challenge than they’re expecting.
The Rockets brought in Westbrook with a belief in his ability to put them over the top in a way Chris Paul’s aging body no longer could. Time will tell if that is the case. Independent of the final results, the sight of two of the game’s best guards under one roof will provide plenty of theatrics fans won’t want to miss.