Before Wednesday night’s game with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns head coach Alvin Gentry posed the question to the media, after Kobe and Wade, name a shooting guard you would take over James Harden?
The media couldn’t think of anyone.
Little did everyone who sat in Gentry’s office before the game know that this notion was going to foreshadow what was to come later in the evening.
The last time the Suns and Thunder met this season was back on March 7 in Oklahoma City where James Harden set a career high of 30 points. Fast forward to Wednesday night, where Harden’s career high stood at 33, the former Sun Devil would put on a show in front of many people that used to root for him on a daily basis.
“I wanted to be aggressive,” said Harden after the game. “It’s not like it’s against the Suns, I’ve just had two good games. I just try to spark some energy off the bench.”
That “spark” resulted in 40 points on 12 of 17 shooting including five three pointers, seven rebounds, four steals and three assists. Harden is now the only player in the NBA to score 40 points off the bench this season.
