After a strong showing against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Intuit Dome, James Harden sat to answer questions. He sported a black graphic tee, with Whitney Houston, a pop culture icon printed at the front. A reporter managed to notice the details and tread in between the lines. The Beard found a way he and Houston had some commonality in the approach to their profession.

Houston, regarded as one of the most talented singers often made appearances during NBA games. Notably, she sang the national anthem during a Lakers-Nets game at the Staples Center in 1989. Interestingly, Houston was also a close friend to Michael Jordan at a time when the Bulls legend didn’t allow many to get into his inner circle.

Upon her untimely demise, Jordan felt worried about his mortality. The celebrated vocalist was only 48 years old when she passed away.

Till now, her only true NBA connection aside from her bond with Jordan was through her brother, Gary Garland. The 6’4″ guard played for the Denver Nuggets, a stint that only lasted one season. However, several of the modern NBA stars connected with her through her melodic voice, James Harden being one of them.

“I still listen to some of her songs to this day,” the Beard admitted after a dominant win against Philly. Still, Harden admits to being “too young” to fully comprehend her impact on the music industry and society. Houston was a beacon that “paved the way for a lot of female artists” to prosper by setting the benchmark for excellence.

But when it came to drawing parallels between himself and the iconic singer, Harden found a way to appreciate both of their illuminating legacies. “Whitney is iconic,” he simply stated.

The versatility of James Harden is shining through

Prior to the season beginning, Harden made a bold confession. The veteran felt he was in the best shape since turning 30. To Clippers fans, who have yet to witness Kawhi Leonard on the floor, they felt it would mean the return of the maddening scorer that tortured defenses. However, what they have got might be just what the franchise needs.

With a heavyweight scorer out with no timeline, it was important for the Clippers to attain harmony. Harden has been the central figure, doing a lot of everything. Currently, the third leading scorer on the roster, he has knit together an impressive dynamic with center Ivica Zubac, who is averaging a career-high 17.1 points per game.

From his 45 assisted makes, 22 of the dimes have come from the craftiness of Harden, who has a history of playing well with an interior dominant center. Additionally, his effort on the defensive end has empowered the Clippers to become a top 5 defense in the league up to this point.

Against the 76ers, even on a lousy scoring night, James Harden recorded the highest net differential on the team. He limited Tyrese Maxey to 2 for 5 shooting and for the game only let his matchups shoot a combined 7 for 15. Once considered a defensive target, the Beard has repositioned himself to become a highly active presence, generating 1.8 steals per game this season.

Versatility has been the key behind the Clippers 4-4 record thus far. Once Leonard does return, the hierarchy is bound to change. However, till then, Harden has unlocked a tenacious version of the Clippers, setting the precedent through his willingness. Do you think he can keep them above water until The Klaw returns? Let us know your views in the comments below.