Houston Rockets: We can’t forget to appreciate James Harden

HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets warms up before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center on March 10, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 10: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets warms up before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center on March 10, 2020 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
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Houston Rockets, James Harden
Houston Rockets, James Harden (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Houston Rockets were knocked out of the playoffs yet again this year, however, James Harden deserves our utmost respect and appreciation.

Now that the Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets series is underway, let’s get down to the real business. Houston Rockets star James Harden should be appreciated.

Although the Rockets lost 4-1 in five games to the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers and the combination that is James and Anthony Davis. Although they almost lost to his former teammate Chris Paul and the OKC Thunder, his former team. James Harden deserves our appreciation.

After being dragged to a Game 7 by the Thunder, his former team, and knocked out of the Conference Finals by the Lakers, the Houston Rockets have got to be tired. The Rockets have not given Harden the superstar treatment yet, and they have not yet won a championship in the Harden era.

The goal for the Rockets seems to be to win a championship because why else would they still have Harden and not have considered trading him to one of the other teams in the Western Conference by now, or recognize him as a part of the problem in Houston? Because the Rockets know that Harden isn’t a part of the problem.

It is the Harden era. The time is now. You can feel it every time the Rockets play. Harden kicks it up a notch every year. The time is now for the Rockets as an organization to make a championship the target and at the same time look James Harden in his eyes and say, “Thank you.”