I mean it was obvious, but kudos to The Beard for keeping it real.
James Harden is having an out of this world season, and if not for the brilliance of Russell Westbrook, would probably have already won the MVP award.
Harden was his same filthy self — posting career highs in points (29.0), assists (7.5) — while dealing with Dwight Howard and Khloe Kardashian.
With some inner reflection and the words of his inner circle, Harden was able to change his life’s fortunes again, and he broke it down to SI.
He was tending to Howard on the court and Khloé Kardashian off, a double whammy of diva, made even more complex because Khloé was caring for estranged husband Lamar Odom after his overdose at a Nevada brothel. At one point, Khloé took to a live video chat and denied that her sexuality was to blame for the Rockets’ struggles, though she chose a far spicier turn of phrase.
“I’m not worried about anything but hooping,” says Harden, 27, “and that may be why I’m having this kind of success.” The process of untangling a crowded life began a year ago, when he and Khloé broke up after an eight-month romance, which began with a meeting at Kanye West’s basketball-themed birthday party at Staples Center in June. Harden does not reference Khloé but reflects on the tabloid apparatus that accompanies her. “I didn’t like all the attention,” he says. “I feel like it was for no reason. I wasn’t getting anything out of it except my name out there and my face out there, and I don’t need that. It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it wasn’t me. I don’t need pictures of myself when I’m driving my car. Who cares? What shoes am I wearing? Who cares? Where am I eating? Who cares? It was unnecessary stuff that I think trickled down to my teammates. I had to eliminate that.”
It’s good to see the Beard back and dominating, and flip the page to see what had him all distracted in the First place: