Through his trademark bushy beard, James Harden displays an obvious sign of happiness: A smile. And it shines bright.
Last year, the teeth shone through as well, but they were gnashing. Or he clenched a grin that masked the displeasure. His team, the Houston Rockets, weren’t winning. He played a nebulous brand of basketball, which is to say he was all there sometimes and he wasn’t in others. A near MVP season two years ago dissolved into a forgettable year.
Enter Mike D’Antoni.
He’s the hit-maker, the coach that coaxes the biggest stats out of almost anyone he coaches.