Defending James Harden: Mom's Expert Advice

Image Source: Instagram Defending James Harden: Mom's Expert Advice

[{"selector":"#anim-b2325e23-f6b8-4cbb-9978-8b19a3fec9c8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9ecfb7ba-d501-45fe-a761-7d3c7c36b383","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-81c75143-72ae-45d6-a2f8-1a62487474be","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.39147%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Memphis Grizzlies forward Chandler Parsons received a special text from his mother ahead of their game against the Houston Rockets.

[{"selector":"#anim-a6f3127f-b9bc-4de5-8d7e-9aa065b4d089 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97cd01a7-e285-42f6-90c2-6ee43a1a9bd3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-819b6f89-c5ea-434f-b039-32e4c71c3720","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram The text contained expert advice on how to guard James Harden, who was known for his sneaky tactics.

[{"selector":"#anim-dbe50770-ada9-484b-a7e0-799e6ce9b183 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-95d46b95-77c7-4852-ba32-298b6466720a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ccf4461-3c2e-4026-be3a-180af00cf254","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.39147%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Parsons shared the screenshot of his mother's message, which advised him to drive strong to the basket and avoid reaching in on Harden.

[{"selector":"#anim-9d0b0102-c2b7-4c2d-8306-436bfb9dc9c1 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7326df32-c52e-4410-8820-39ffd35a1d4b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-acb1b449-0ea6-4d92-9b87-c0be4041a303","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 189.88398%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Despite the advice, the Rockets emerged victorious with a 119-95 win, and Harden finished with 29 points.

[{"selector":"#anim-da716a19-0489-4ab1-a39b-6b0e84ec1b84 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9796df55-2486-4d77-a6b6-08fb42bdb0e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4f82edd1-86d4-4606-887b-1d775a8828b8","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.39147%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Parsons' mother was knowledgeable in basketball and understood the importance of playing solid defense against Harden.

[{"selector":"#anim-701b19b9-4700-418f-b9fc-64a7e1e966ad [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c436402-97fa-4291-8054-f32fc83ebc89","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c955943d-a380-4be6-bae0-81347975dc6d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 185.40634%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram In the 2016-17 NBA season, James Harden was under the guidance of head coach Mike D'Antoni, who helped him become the league MVP.

[{"selector":"#anim-4fa42734-7be9-4f25-991c-4f9315248249 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c64f4976-7690-4bf9-ae2a-9b498d3b3f33","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3687b886-3948-40d7-a243-05fb5daf0bde","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 191.24584%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Harden's trip to the free-throw line was unmatched during this era, with 891 trips in total that season.

[{"selector":"#anim-30ed0c20-e24c-499f-9850-602458cba2ca [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d3a5b8f7-ce24-4546-919c-2b60c872109b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-38389b1e-59b4-4a33-a75b-2ec4695b58ac","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 189.88398%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Despite Harden's individual success, the Rockets failed to win the Larry O'Brien trophy during this time.

[{"selector":"#anim-f99588c9-52b4-48b2-a844-69f3ddbcd8f6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-700f0be7-27b6-4968-9c03-360df170a218","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-af6c3f53-da23-42cc-ae65-0be0c51489ba","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 189.73071%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram After his stint in Houston, fans missed his vintage performances and watched as he tried to mesh well with new teammates in Philadelphia.

[{"selector":"#anim-38305c20-f3b2-47e5-a429-30ad356bd7c3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da090a35-0da2-4a9f-911a-8b41414d2396","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c6641576-bbeb-494c-96bf-1b712f7c22a9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 189.73071%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram From time to time, Harden still puts on an offensive display that sends fans back to the past and brings joy.

[{"selector":"#anim-425b71d4-a32f-48e3-8745-95d043356ac3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-02e69cf0-7e0c-4218-ae0d-22750bd4f92f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-50d97a5b-2dfd-4e79-ab28-2452273a890b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.39147%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram In 2017, the Rockets came close to making it to the NBA Finals, losing in the Western Conference Finals.

[{"selector":"#anim-243e1347-cf07-4ad2-a1d5-a26f6e610e27 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-211a731a-7d82-4a62-b5ea-70183843a458","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e80e49bd-10bb-4962-bc00-ce3949d2dbaa","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.39147%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Parsons' mother's text message showed the importance of being aggressive and playing with confidence in high-stakes games.

[{"selector":"#anim-09044d50-9120-4645-a45f-209a13c562cd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a0b1e000-76c4-4301-a760-7f0c35b8a46b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a5a9a01-8efd-4f8c-b555-648d9823d234","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 189.73071%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Chandler Parsons took his mother's advice to heart, but unfortunately, it didn't help them defeat the Rockets.

[{"selector":"#anim-3746e033-39d4-49e7-8fc0-533bb7c0c5a2 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-494d3398-cd97-4d89-8946-04e61b21a9dd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-64aa00c4-9914-4250-a982-ff133e1c3e0f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.39147%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram James Harden's stint in Houston will always be remembered as the time when he blossomed into one of the best players in the league.

[{"selector":"#anim-de51d95e-070e-4fc1-949c-06e238eb4b0b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7e969f58-f50b-4195-aa57-5368bd322002","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8f40ede-297d-4910-8598-449878bd3840","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 188.39147%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Image Source: Instagram Despite his current struggles in Philadelphia, fans continue to look back at his Houston days with nostalgia and excitement.

[{"selector":"#anim-d8e6d91a-80fd-44ec-975c-9f0f9fa1110a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.18988%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .8, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e830d9cf-ae0d-444c-a1d0-9018e6c8cfc0","keyframes":{"transform":["rotateZ(-180deg)","rotateZ(0deg)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.2, 0, .5, 1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more