Harden, Gordon kumpiyansa sa Houston at New Orleans

MANILA, Philippines - Kapwa kumpiyansa sina James Harden ng Houston Rockets at Eric Gordon ng New Orleans Pelicans sa kani-kanilang kampanya para sa dara-ting na NBA season.

Ito ay dahil makakatuwang ni Harden si All-Star center Dwight Howard sa Rockets, habang makakasabayan naman ni Gordon sa Pelicans sina Jrue Holiday at Tyreke Evans.

“Last year he had some injuries but this year he’s hungry and he’s focused on the ring, and I am too,” wika ni Harden kay Howard sa isang press conference kahapon sa Sofitel Philippine Plaza. “Once we get things going in training camp, it should be alright.”

Naglaro si Howard sa Los Angeles Lakers noong nakaraang season bago opisyal na lumipat sa Rockets noong Hulyo 13.

Winalis ng San Antonio Spurs ang Lakers, 4-0, habang nabigo ang Rockets sa Oklahoma City Thunder, 2-4, sa first round ng nakaraang NBA playoffs.

Bukod kina Howard at Harden, aasahan din ng Houston sina Jeremy Lin at Omar Asik.

Ang Miami Heat pa rin ang sinabi ni Harden na maaaring makapasok sa Finals bukod pa sa San Antonio Spurs at Thunder.

“Teams to beat, the Miami Heat obviously. OKC  (Oklahoma City) and San Antonio are there,” ani Harden. “New York and Brooklyn too. So many great teams this year. The Golden State Warriors are also good.”

Sabik naman si Gordon na muling maglaro sa Pelicans matapos magkaroon ng injury.