The transformation from super sub to superstar wasn’t gradual (for James Harden) . Never mind that the trade had left him stunned, or that he knew none of his new teammates beyond the usual in-game pleasantries. Harden decided before his first Rockets practice that this was his team, and he didn’t leave any doubt.

“It’s all happened so fast, but I’m just humble about it and trying to stay on path and just focus on what I can do and what’s got me here,” Harden said. “That’s my legacy, having my own organization and starting basically from scratch and going from not making the playoffs for a few years to making the playoffs and going from there; just getting better. … I’m on the right path.”

via Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports