Page 27 - Sports Illustrated Kids (October 2018)

Career

HIGHLIGHTS

2017–18 After averaging a career-high 30.4 points
per game, Harden was named NBA Most Valuable
Player. He led the Rockets to a franchise-best 65–17
record and an appearance in the Western Conference
finals, where they lost to the Warriors in seven games.
The previous season, Harden had finished second in
the MVP voting after averaging 29.1 points per game
and leading the league with 11.2 assists per game.
2011–12 Harden helped guide the Oklahoma City
Thunder to the NBA Finals. He averaged 16.8 points per
game primarily as a reserve and was named Sixth Man
of the Year. Following the season, he was traded to the
Rockets after he and the Thunder couldn’t come to an
agreement on a contract extension.
2008–09 As a sophomore
at Arizona State, Harden
averaged 20.1 points per
game and was named
Pac-10 Player of the Year.
He declared himself eligible
for the 2009 draft and
was selected by the
Thunder with the
third pick of the
first round.