One of the leading storylines of the first-round playoff series between the Houston Rockets and Oklahoma City Thunder is the pair of All-Star guards (Russell Westbrook, Chris Paul) facing their former team.
Though Westbrook’s series debut is delayed due to a right quad strain, Paul is expected to be ready to go for Tuesday’s Game 1.
In the 2019 offseason, there were a few reports of friction between Paul and Houston superstar James Harden during their second and final season together, But with 13 months having passed since the blockbuster trade, “The Beard” says there’s nothing personal to the 2020 series.
When asked at Monday’s practice whether there was anything personal to facing “CP3” in the playoffs, Harden said:
I don’t ever take anything personal. I’m trying to win games, and I’m trying to win a playoff series. I take it one possession at a time, one game at a time.
My role on this team is to go out and perform at a high level, but also to be a leader and make sure that guys that are around me all have that same mindset. If I can do that, then I can give us a chance to win, especially with Russell [Westbrook] being out.
Harden says he's not thinking about the storyline of him vs. Chris Paul. "I don't ever take anything personal. I'm trying to win games and a playoff series."
Adds that his focus is on leading the #Rockets, especially with Russell Westbrook out to start the series.
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) August 17, 2020
Then again, since Harden wasn’t the one traded, it’s easy to understand why it’s not personal for him. Fellow Rockets veteran P.J. Tucker, who has been a close friend of Paul’s since childhood, indicated Monday that he believed there might be some extra motivation for CP3.
Regarding Paul going up against his former team, Tucker said:
Knowing him, he wants this bad. I know he wants this bad. I know he’s on the other side and telling the guys what they’ve got to do, and kind of giving them our game plan. I know how competitive he is.
#Rockets P.J. Tucker on playing against longtime friend & former teammate Chris Paul: "I think it'll be fun. Knowing him, he wants this bad. I know he wants this bad. It's going to be an interesting series, It's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to it for sure." #NBAPlayoffs
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) August 17, 2020
Once the matchup became finalized last week, Paul quickly remarked that both teams knew a lot about the other.
“It’ll be interesting,” Paul said of the Rockets versus Thunder series. “Two teams that know a lot about each other. We’ll prepare, get ready, and we’ll see what’s what.”
After their win tonight, Thunder's Chris Paul (@CP3) was asked about the now-clinched 1st round #NBAPlayoffs matchup (#ThunderUp vs #Rockets). Q: With your past with Houston, Russ' past with the Thunder, what is your 1st impression on that series? His answer —-> pic.twitter.com/KYyeXah8SK
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) August 13, 2020
Both teams finished with identical 44-28 records in the 2019-20 regular season, so it appears to be a relatively even matchup in which one or two small variables could tip the scales.
“Our swagger is the most important thing,” Harden said Monday. “If we’re playing with confidence and pace, the sky is the limit for us.”
Game 1 between the Rockets and Thunder tips off at 5:30 p.m. Central on Tuesday evening, with a national broadcast on TNT and a regional version (with Houston announcers) on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
[lawrence-related id=22483,10713,10429]
Harden points out that #Rockets are No. 1 in pace since entering the bubble. #OneMission
— Ben DuBose (@BenDuBose) August 17, 2020