Houston Rockets James Harden And Chris Paul Dazzle Fans At Drew League
Many have wondered if the Houston Rockets offense will flow after point guard Chris Paul joined James Harden in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers last month. On Sunday, fans received a preview of how the two All-Stars could operate during Los Angeles’ Drew League competition.
The two All-Stars essentially offered a public scrimmage in front of a standing-room-only crowd. The Drew League, which was established in 1973, is a competition that includes professionals and amateurs at King-Drew Magnet High School gym near Watts. The tournament was previously played at Charles Drew Junior High School in South Los Angeles.
READ: Allen Iverson Skips Big3 Basketball Game, League To Investigate Absence
Harden and Paul paired with No. 1 high school recruit Marvin Bagley III, for team LAUNFD.
The Home Town Favorites team, made up of current NBA players Delon Wright, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Jordan Bell, fell to LAUNFD, 83-81. Harden finished with a game high 27 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, while Paul contributed 13 points and 10 assists.
James Harden to CP3 to MARVIN BAGLEY _ @MB3FIVE @PhxPhamily @DrewLeague pic.twitter.com/FRoQnllFpa
— Overtime (@overtime) July 31, 2017
In the first half, the two guards seemingly tried to exchange playmaking and ball handling duties.
Harden and Paul reportedly worked on finding their chemistry this summer during open-court scrimmages in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Rockets' teammate Bobby Brown told ESPN Monday, that the practices will continue in Los Angeles and well into late August in the Bahamas.
READ: Allen Iverson Disappoints Philadelphia Fans During Big3 Homecoming Game
Paul, a 12-year veteran, made his Drew League debut on Sunday. Harden, a Los Angeles native who played three years straight in the league, had begun competing in the league last week. Brown, a four-time Drew League champion, told Paul he would have to play this week, to gain eligibility for Friday’s upcoming Drew League playoffs.
"CP came to the game last week and he was itching to play," Brown told ESPN. "After that, he texted me saying, 'Yo, I want to play. Think it would be cool if I could play with y'all?' I said, 'No problem. It's the Drew League, you haven't played yet. You get your shine, you get your welcoming to the Drew on a good team, with your brother [Harden]."
He added, "That was an easy call. He had fun. JH always has fun. Me and James have been playing together for the third year in a row."
Harden and Paul weren’t the only stars at the Drew League. Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade sat courtside with Toronto Raptors All-Star DeMar DeRozan, who played earlier with Nick Young of the Golden State Warriors and Julius Randle of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Wade took to Twitter, acknowledging his NBA peers who played.
"Went to the @DrewLeague today to watch my bros @DWRIGHTWAY1 @delonwright @CP3 @JHarden13 @T_HardJR man I wanted to grab a jersey," he wrote.
Harden and Paul may have needed all the support they could get during Sunday’s game. Their team needed to win to advance to the playoffs. Home Town Favorites heated up early in the game, getting 11 points from Hardaway in the first quarter. Hardaway’s team led 44-40 with Paul, who only converted one-of-eight shots from the field.
Paul redeemed his sluggish start, pouring in three three-pointers in the third quarter. LAUNFD overwhelmed Home Town Favorites 26-9 in the third quarter, securing their victory.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.