December 23, 2020: the day the Thunder start the new season has been tattooed on my mind since the announcement. The months before have been full of challenges that are sort of like if random objects, particularly a chainsaw, an alligator, a rotting pumpkin, and a jumbo can of soup, were to fall directly on top of your head. That being said, there is something special about starting fresh with a new coach and a young team. Only one thing could be so toxic that it drains the hope out of even the biggest OKC fans. That one thing is James Harden.
ICYMI: Tonight’s Thunder vs Rockets Game has been postponed.
The first game for both the Thunder and Rockets season has been postponed. This news was plastered all over social media just hours before tonight’s game. Thankfully, no fans had to readjust their Wednesday night plans since the games are currently audience-less, that is, unless you’re like me and have EVERYTHING in your life planned around NBA basketball. Plus, the memories of another game postponed early this year at Chesapeake Energy Arena that led to the shutdown of the entire league is haunting the entire Thunder fandom.
The reason for this delay is because the Houston Rockets are unable to suit up eight players. This is due to one teammate’s actions. And while I am not one to usually jump to conclusions, my frustration with selfishness and total disregard for others destroys any amount of mercy from my emotional tool belt. Harden has put everyone in the NBA at risk during a global pandemic due to his own dedication to himself.
The Truth About Harden
Harden’s actions might have been easier to ignore in the past, but the times are changing. Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook’s departure from Houston show what, or rather WHO, is the common denominator in failed attempts at championship runs. While this has been obvious to all the skeptics who laughed at all of the claims of Harden’s greatness, we patiently waited. We knew every Napoleon finally faces defeat.
Maybe it appears I’m being a bit tough due to my own Thunder biases. Maybe I am. But let’s be honest: this is the truth that has been missing in the Harden conversation. Any sort of complaint about this Rockets player has been met with “but look at his stats!” type arguments. Sure, Harden is a talented player but he’s lazy. Can you imagine his greatness if he was to actually commit to something other than himself?
From a Thunder POV
The worst part of postponing tonight’s game is that Harden’s actions did not just hurt his own team. The current roster of the Oklahoma City Thunder is made up of so many young players that were ready to play their first professional basketball game. Those who are returning have been working to fill big shoes left behind, ironically by the two guys that left Harden in the dust in Texas.
Tonight’s match was supposed to set the tone for not only the Thunder 2020-2021 season, but for some of these guys’ careers. It was going to show the good, the bad, and the things that need to improve. Now, we wait. All of this could have been avoided.
