The Thunder-Rockets series has become an easy recruiting pitch for Arizona State basketball.
“We want this series to go seven,” assistant coach Rashon Burno said.
And why wouldn’t they? The longer the series, the longer the spotlight shines on the James Harden vs. Luguentz Dort matchup. Two Sun Devils — one a superstar, the other introducing himself to a national audience — dueling at Disney World.
“Just seeing those two guys interact in the NBA playoffs is pretty surreal,” Burno said, “because 11 months ago they were in open gym playing pickup.”
For the last five summers, Harden has returned to Tempe, Arizona, to work out.