James Harden, who Chose Money Over Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, Reflects on Biggest “What If” in OKC

The Oklahoma City Thunder had one of the best and youngest cores in recent NBA history. Unfortunately, that core quickly got separated and went on their own ways. That team will always go down as one of the biggest ‘what ifs’ in NBA history.

Now separated from Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, James Harden goes to Oklahoma City to win the Clippers’ 10th straight game. Here is what The Beard had to say about going to Oklahoma for an away game.

James Harden talks about his next game in OKC

The Oklahoma City Thunder were one of the best teams in the Western Conference, if not the league in the early 2010s. Unfortunately, due to decisions by the Thunder’s front office, James Harden was the first to leave and make a legacy of his own in Houston. While his departure involved complex motivations, one primary reason was money as Harden desired a larger contract.

Now with the Los Angeles Clippers, Harden and the team fly to Oklahoma City next in the hopes of winning 10 straight games for the Clippers. Before that, Harden was asked about how he felt about going to Oklahoma.

That is when Harden said, “It always has a special place in my heart. They’re the ones who gave me an opportunity, Sam Presti, and everyone over there. So, they’ll always have a special place in my heart.”

Harden went on to acknowledge how people still talked about what could’ve been had the Thunder kept the core intact. But he mentioned that he only has love and respect for the city and the franchise.

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The Thunder kept Harden on the bench for most of his tenure with OKC. As much as he was fine with that, differences arose when the time came for a contract extension and Harden chose to look out for himself.

Will Harden’s efforts pay off with the Clippers?

James Harden went on to join the Houston Rockets after his tenure with OKC. And that is where the world saw Harden in his prime, setting new records on a nightly basis. Unfortunately, since then, Harden has not been the same player.

However, after bouncing around the league for a few years, Harden may have found a place where he is happy and comfortable. Los Angeles has always been one of Harden’s landing spots.

And now that he is a part of the Clippers, his effort does show how the team has won nine games in a row. Let’s see if the Clippers become the first team this season to win 10 games in a row after all.

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