James Harden On How Him And Kevin Durant Have Changed Since Their OKC Days: ‘We Were Young In OKC. We’re Grown Men Now.’

James Harden is having a terrific start with the Brooklyn Nets so far after going off on his first two games with the team. They reunited after nine years when they played in the 2012 NBA Finals with the Oklahoma City Thunder and they’re looking just fine playing together.

Harden and Durant have been comfortable with each other and the Beard has made it clear that he will do everything in his power to help KD win a championship in Brooklyn. Talking about their quick success, Harden credited the maturity both players reached during their time with prior teams. That is the perfect recipe for success and they’re ready to win it all this campaign.

KD pours in 42!@KDTrey5 goes off for a season-high in the @BrooklynNets home win vs. Orlando. #BrooklynTogether #MLKDay (Mon. 1/18): Bucks/Nets at 7:30pm/et on TNT pic.twitter.com/FoWcMiXgUp

— NBA (@NBA) January 17, 2021

Via Malika Andrews of ESPN:

Since Harden’s arrival in Brooklyn, Nets coaches and management have repeatedly said they would lean on the previous chemistry that Harden and Durant had built during their tenure with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After all, Harden hasn’t yet had a single practice session with Brooklyn.Harden said their maturity has further aided their on-court synergy.“We were young in Oklahoma City,” said Harden, 31, who played with Durant, 32, on the Thunder from 2009 to 2012. “We are grown men now. We know what we want. We really know the game of basketball now. We are not those young guys that want to run around and just shoot and dunk all day. And then for me, I sit back and I know what player Kevin Durant is. He’s one of the best players to ever touch a basketball.”

KD & Harden combine for 42 of their 64 in the 2nd half to power the @BrooklynNets. 🔥@JHarden13: 34 PTS, 12 AST@KDTrey5: 30 PTS, 9 REB, 6 AST pic.twitter.com/icwGjWrCPq

— NBA (@NBA) January 19, 2021

That was the secret to success, apparently. These players became MVP in the NBA and they’re ready to make history together now. They didn’t have luck nine years ago but this season they look like the biggest favorites to come out of the East, even without the third star of the team, Kyrie Irving.

They’re willing to sacrifice for the team’s sake and the Nets fans can’t wait to see where these two (or three) can take them in the future.