Think back to the 2009 NBA draft.  The Los Angeles Clippers had the first pick, the Memphis Grizzlies had the second pick, and the Oklahoma City Thunder had the third pick.  Obviously, the Clippers were set to draft Blake Griffin first overall.  Many believed the second and third picks would be Ricky Rubio and Hasheem Thabeet, with Tyreke Evans and James Harden rounding out the perceived top five.  Some saw Stephen Curry as the wild card.  In the end, Memphis went with Thabeet, and the Thunder surprised many by drafting Harden before the Sacramento Kings drafted Evans and the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Rubio.

With the Thunder’s lack of a wing scorer, NBA-ready Harden seemed to be an ideal fit.  Further, the former Arizona State player (and 2009 Pac-10 Player of the Year) embodied the team’s DNA; that is, a young, smart, hard-working, team-first player.  What OKC discovered during Harden’s first year is that he’s a shooter with real versatility as well as having solid playmaking skills.

In his rookie season, Harden was forced to adjust to a sixth man role as opposed to his familiar go-to scoring role established at ASU.  He averaged just 22.9 minutes per game scoring an average 9.9 points, .403 FG%, 3.2 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.1 steals, .808 FT%, and added an average 1.2 in three-pointers at .375 shooting in 2009-10.

It’s interesting to note that Harden put up superior numbers in almost every statistical category in road games vs. home games in his rookie year.

Harden displayed a rather shaky start to the 2010-11 season; he was visibly hesitant with his shot, even in decision-making, and seemed to lack confidence on the court.  Through the first 18 games of the season, he averaged 7.9 points per game, 3.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.6 assists with 1.1 three-pointers made.

Then something changed beginning in December - Harden became aggressive.  During the past 14 games, he is averaging 14.1 ppg, 3.4 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 three-pointers.  Overall, he has logged an average 25.8 minutes of playing time, and the majority of his numbers in home games now surpass the road game numbers.  And in the four games missed by Kevin Durant, Harden stepped up big-time with big minutes played.

Thunder coach Scott Brooks points to improved confidence in shooting to explain the difference in Harden’s production.

"When he doesn’t hesitate, he has the ability to….the shot goes in," Brooks tells HOOPSWORLD.  "He’s a good three-point shooter for us, he drives to the basket, gets to the free-point line, he’s a good playmaker.  Probably the month of December, he’s been playing the way that we need him to play.  It just helps, it helps our team, it helps the second unit when he’s in.

"He’s a scoring threat any time he’s on the floor."
 

In fact, Harden has recorded double-digit scoring in each of the Thunder’s last eight games, averaging 15.3 points per game.

Teammate Russell Westbrook noted the increased confidence with which Harden plays, and also credited his newfound aggressiveness.

"He’s playing more aggressive coming off the bench and giving us a good spark," said Westbrook. "Playing with confidence, and that’s what we need."

Fellow guard Eric Maynor agreed, saying simply this when asked what factors have contributed to Harden’s improved play:  "Confident and being aggressive."

{AUTHOR_BOX}The Oklahoma City Thunder has carefully carved out a defensive identity.  It’s no secret Brooks will sit players whose defensive playing isn’t up to par.

"I think he’s (Harden) improved his defense just about every game," Brooks said.  "We’ve watched film; he watches film with the assistant coaches.  He wants to be a good player on the defensive end.  That’s how you get minutes.

"You have to be able to defend your position.  I think that’s improved a lot this year."

Speaking of positions, there was extensive speculation before the season started regarding who would get the starting nod at shooting guard, Thabo Sefolosha or Harden.  Both players expressed indifference leading up to the season opening tip, but so far the job belongs to Sefolosha.  Brooks told us that in addition to Durant and Westbrook, Sefolosha is one of Harden’s key mentors on the team.

"That says a lot about a guy that’s playing the same position," Brooks marveled.

Then Brooks shakes his head and laughs at the thought of calling Durant or Westbrook mentors to Harden.

"Our 22-year-old is mentoring our 21-year-old."

Brooks also said that the Oklahoma City assistant coaches act as mentors to Harden as well.

"I think our coaches do a good job of always talking to our players.  It’s important to always have dialogue with our players.  It’s not always easy conversation, but it’s important to always stay in touch with them and how they’re feeling, what they’re thinking.  You don’t always want to be just the heavy hand when things are going bad."

We caught up with Harden and asked him point-blank to identify the reasons why his game seems to be elevating as of late.

"Just playing at a faster pace," he answered.  "Being ready to shoot when my teammates create shots for me and just being aggressive out there on the offensive end.  On the defensive end, just trying to create some steals."

"That’s what we need him to do…come in and play that way, and he’s doing a good job of it," said Westbrook.

Harden is quickly winning legions of fans in Oklahoma City; shouts of "Fear the Beard" can be heard when he steps to the free-throw line.  The sky looks to be the limit for the young player.