The good news is that Harden’s injury isn’t believed to be serious, although he could miss a few days of training camp. The Thunder begin their preseason schedule with an October 7th game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

If Harden can rebound from his ankle injury and impress during training camp and the preseason, he has a chance to start for the team at shooting guard. He’d join a starting lineup that would include Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and Nenad Krstic.

Even though Harden is a young player, scouts say that he has a very matured set of skills. He can score, pass and play away from the ball. His defense will probably the issue the coaches make him focus on the most early on in his career.

James Harden (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

James Harden Injury Update – Sprained Ankle

Short of creating a mock draft, I listed which players I personally think rank in the top ten as far as prospects go. I think they are the cream of the draft crop. Whether or not NBA scouts agree with me is another question.

Lyndsey’s Top Ten 2009 NBA Draft Prospects

Blake Griffin will most likely be the number one pick in this year's NBA draft.

1. Blake Griffin (F/C) — If he doesn’t go number one I’ll be dumbfounded. He’s got the size, skill, quickness and innate athletic talent to make an immediate impact.

2. Hasheem Thabeet (C) — Can you say Dikembe Mutombo? The only different is that I think Thabeet is much more than a rebounding/shot-blocking machine.

3. Ricky Rubio (PG) — This kid, and I stress kid, is talented. I’m excited to see what he can do in the NBA.

4. Ty Lawson (PG) — He was the difference maker in UNC’s Championship season. I don’t think they would have won the NCAA Tournament without him. He’s smart, quick and has the upper body strength to compete in the NBA.

5. Stephen Curry (G) — Curry is probably a mid-to-late first round pick.
But I believe he has the talent to develop into a an amazing player. He’s got to put on a few pounds first though.

6. James Harden (SG) — Great shooter, def. an asset to any team.

7. Tyler Hansbrough (F/C) — I know a lot of people think Tyler is going to be like Christian Laettner … great college career,  not so great in the NBA.  I think Tyler has the drive to work hard and improve at the NBA level. Besides, Laettner may not have been an all-star caliber player but he lasted 13 seasons, which isn’t too shabby.

8. Jeff Teague (G) — Great offensive presence. He’s smart and he’s a scorer. He needs to work on his defense a bit.

9. Jordan Hill  (F/C)— Considered one of the most improved college players since last year. He averaged a double/double for most of the season.

10. Brandon Jennings (PG) — Went to Italy last season because he couldn’t jump right to the NBA due to the age regulation. While he hasn’t made a huge splash overseas, he has the potential to be a big time player here at home with his athleticism and size.

Photo provided by Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Lyndsey’s Top Ten 2009 NBA Draft Prospects

Hopefully Bubba will stick around for next year.

The Onion

Post from: EveryJoe

Oxnard California’s Advanced Truck Driving School Left Out

I got to thinking, maybe there’s a simple reason nobody thinks Harden is overrated—maybe nobody even knows who he is?

On the Surface

Started every game for ASU so far this season, shoots 52.7% from the field, gets to the line 8 times a game (shoots 75%), averages almost 6 rebounds and just over 4 assists (3.5 turnovers) a game and leads the Pac-10 in scoring with 21.2/gm.

Extra

Leading ASU to a 10-4 Pac-10 mark thus far, a top 15 ranking, and almost assuredly a 3 or 4 seed in the NCAA tourney.

Scored 17.8 ppg his freshman year. That is the 8th best mark by a freshman in Pac-10 history.

Holds ASU record for most minutes/gm for a freshman (34.1).

First team All-Pac-10 freshman.

The first freshman in league history with at least 70 (73) steals and at least a 17.0 points per game average.

The Skinny

This left handed, unorthodox, patient, fundamental, polarizing player doesn’t seem to get the acclaim he deserves. Overlooked by the east coast media, but then again, if you’re not on UCLA, that’s kind of the way it rolls. If he was flashy, maybe had some off the court issues, he possibly might get more attention, but it seems that his due acclaim will have to wait until the tourney.

Game has drawn comparisons to Manu Ginobili and Paul Pierce, often because of the subtle but destructive athleticism that he shares with them. Also a competent shooter from deep (though needs to improve mid-range game), has good eye for the open man, has controlled aggression, sneaky defensive player, makes uncanny shots in lane, NBA strong, knows his strengths and exploits defenses accordingly, and is especially calm in times of chaos.

Fortunate enough to have seen Harden play two times this season, I can safely state that in a worst case scenario he will have a pro career similar to a John Salmons or Derek Anderson. Best case? Definitely the Paul Pierce comparison fits, but Harden is, at the tallest, only 6′5, and without A grade athleticism I’m not certain he can do the things the 6′7 Pierce does on a regular basis.

On the college level he’s already a top 5 player. If ASU can get hot it’s not unrealistic to assume they can make a long run in the tourney, especially with the lack of consistent and/or dominant teams around this season. Harden can carry a team for long stretches and if ASU can catch some breaks along the way, Harden can say so long to the mysterious man label.

Post from: EveryJoe

Who is James Harden?

First, the Associated Press 16th ranked Sun Devils (15-3, 4-2) lose to a what I think has become an overrated USC team on Thursday 61-49 at USC. James Harden was held to a career low four points in the loss.

Today they go to UCLA where they’ve lost seven straight to the AP’s ninth ranked Bruins and pull off the upset in overtime 61-58. The win also snapped the Bruins (14-3, 4-1) 10-game winning streak and 15-game winning streak at home.

I guess every good team and its star player are entitled to a letdown one game and come back and straighten things out with a big win in the very next game.

Harden shook off the bad game he had against the Trojans to leading all scorers with 24 points against the Bruins.

Unless he’s is injured or struck by lightening, it’s safe to say that Harden is going to be the Pac-10 Player of the Year the way he’s been playing. But not if he has another game like he did against USC.

What’s next for the Sun Devils? Are they going to split games with the Oregon schools?

Post from: EveryJoe

No. 16 Arizona State Upsets No. 9 UCLA in Overtime

The 6-0 record is the school’s best start in eight years.

The Bears were lead by LaceDarius Dunn with 27 points and Curtis Jerrells had 22 points.

James Harden continues to be a beast for Arizona State. He scored a tournament-record 32 points, 24 in the final nine minutes.

Baylor will play No. 19 Wake Forest for the championship on Sunday. Wake Forest advanced with a 82-79 win against UTEP on Friday.

With a win tomorrow, I think we will see the Bears somewhere in the top 25 when the new rankings are released on Monday.

Post from: EveryJoe

Baylor to play Wake Forest for 76 Classic Championship on Sunday