A decade-and-a-half later, it seems almost ludicrous to imagine, but in outlining the strengths and weaknesses attached to James Harden’s rookie playstyle, analysts often listed ball handling among the must-fixes. In ultimately proving himself to be an overachiever in every sense, 2009’s No. 3 pick found that, until those statements could be inevitably disproven, his ability to handle the NBA’s night-to-night pressures would have to suffice. Hustling into his moment in the spotlight of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s brighter-than-ever future, Harden speeds into a dribble handoff, only to find his path barricaded by his fellow Rookie of the Year-winning draft classmate. Instinctively quickly discovering an alternative route, Harden retreats into a screen, freeing his path for a silky-smooth midrange pull-up, and the first points of his one-of-a-kind NBA career. Integral in his role among Oklahoma City’s nucleus — one that appeared poised to run the Association — Harden contributed to a season-opening victory on October 28, 2009, and a 27-win turnaround from 2008-09 to 2009-10 thereafter. Prolific as a bench-sparking bucket-getter to begin, Harden tallied five points (on two-of-two shooting), two rebounds, and one 3-pointer, planting seeds for an All-Rookie Second Team nod, and the eighth-highest scoring average (9.9) among rookies. · Oct 28, 2009