What James Harden means for the Rockets

In case the newest billboards adorning local Houston freeways failed to communicate the point effectively, let me make it infinitely clear: the Rockets and their fans are absolutely ecstatic to have acquired James Harden. And you know what? They should be.

Ever since the tragic fall of Yao Ming, Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey has been stockpiling draft picks and young players in hopes to entice a trade partner more obsessively than bayou dwellers hoard bottled water and canned goods during hurricane season. It's a process that takes time and after whiffing on names like Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard  most of the Rockets faithful began to question if Morey was valuing his collection of "assets" more than the rest of the NBA. Fortunately "Dork Elvis" stayed the course and was finally able to execute the blockbuster trade he had been promising for the better part of three years.

Harden gives the Rockets a centerpiece - something they haven't had since Yao Ming and Tracy Mcgrady hobbled out of town. He will join Jeremy Lin to form one of the most promising and  identifiable backourts in the league. The "beard-sanity" combo looks to have the makings of something special as both Lin and Harden are exceptional pick-and-roll players. Harden's ability to create offense off the dribble will prove invaluable in clutch situations - an area where the Rockets have struggled in recent years.

Many criticize the Rockets by saying they over payed for a player who is better suited in a sixth-man role. Harden's average of 24.2 points per game, which is currently the fourth highest in the NBA, proves that the beard has more to his game than that sixth-man spot he perfected in Oklahoma City.

Even more exciting is the fact that despite the contracts the Rockets inked Lin, Asik and Harden to this offseason they can still very easily maneuver far enough under the cap to make another max offer to a free agent as soon as next year. Consider the three promising rookie bigs on the roster this year and Daryl Morey  may have proved the old myth that you can't rebuild without a season of tanking to be complete bologna.