USA - Rockets get Olympic champ in Bearded One

HOUSTON (Olympics/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - James Harden enjoyed one of the greatest moments of his young career in August when he stepped onto the top of the podium at the London Games and had an Olympic gold medal hung around his neck.

Not among the original list of candidates announced for the American Olympic squad earlier this year, Harden forced his way into consideration for London with his play for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

He played in the NBA Finals with the Thunder and then earned a place on the national team roster, later calling it an experience of a lifetime.

“Every single day it was something different,” Harden said of playing with Team USA.

“Especially…being with these guys.

“You get to watch them play basketball, you play basketball against them, but once you are the same team you get a feeling for who they are as a person.

“Every single day was something different and I am just happy to be a part of this team.”

Harden will be a key player for the USA at the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Once he arrives in Spain, he’ll have a couple of seasons with the Houston Rockets under his belt.

That’s because the Thunder, unable to sign Harden to a long-term deal, decided to trade the reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year to Houston.

Harden will not come off the bench in Houston, but start.

In just a few months, the Rockets have completely transformed themselves.

Since the end of the 2011-12 campaign, they have signed Jeremy Lin, Omer Asik and now Harden.

Lin is thrilled with the side’s prospects now that the Team USA man Harden is in the fold.

"It's a big-time move," Lin said.

"I think the way he plays, the style he plays, is very in tune with what we're trying to do here. I don't think it will be a tough transition.

"I think it's going to help us moving forward.

"He's got his Olympic experience, a lot of experience...

"James can really score the ball, come off picks ..."

In his minutes off the bench for the United States in London, Harden was electric.

On more than one occasion, he soared in for powerful, left-handed jams.

Rockets general manager Daryl Morey says Harden is going to have a huge impact.

“James is the foundational, franchise type player we have been seeking the past few seasons,” Morey said.

“He makes us better from day one and will play a big part in helping get us back to a championship level.”

Rockets owner Leslie Alexander likes the fact that his team now has an Olympic champion.

"Harden was part of Team USA’s gold medal team at the London Olympics and is one of the most skilled shooting guards in the NBA," Alexander said.

"James, along with the mix of young players we already have in place such as Jeremy Lin, Chandler Parsons and Omer Asik gives us a very solid group of young, talented players who will form the core of our team.”

FIBA