The Thunder are catching up in the West, now with a new reason to be very encouraged about the future. That’s in case it isn’t enough that Kevin Durant is beginning to touch stardom, that Russell Westbrook needs months, rather than years, to become a starting point guard and the Thunder establishing themselves as one of the best rebounding teams in the league. The post-summer league scouting report from one opposing personnel boss is that “James Harden is as solid as they get. He’s got 20-point scorer written all over him.” Said another: “NBA skills and NBA mind.” Meaning the No. 3 pick in the June draft, a shooting guard from Arizona State, is tracking toward an immediate and significant contribution despite flying under the radar of the likes of Blake Griffin, Hasheem Thabeet, Tyreke Evans, Jonny Flynn and Rubio. As the others have been praised and dissected, Harden quietly has established a game that is much more a statement on dependability than flash. He was always one of the most NBA-ready players available and just happened to be a perfect position fit for the Thunder. Playing next to Westbrook, Harden should offer Oklahoma City a secondary ball handler capable of scoring at a level to make him a perfect complementary threat for Durant and deliver the offensive boost the Thunder needs. Watch out for the Thunder in the next five years.
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