James Harden (NYTSYN)
James Harden (NYTSYN)
HOUSTON (AP) — Kung ang iba’y naghahanap ng bagong koponan para sa katurapan ng pangarap na NBA title, nais ni James Harden na makamit ang mithiin bilang isang Houston Rockets.

Huling naitala ng Rockets ang kampeonato noong 1994-95.

“That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to lock in for these next four years, so I could focus on my legacy and focus on winning and doing unbelievable things here that haven’t been done in a long time,” pahayag ni Harden.

Lumagda ng apat na taong contract extention si Harden na nagkakahalaga ng $118 million nitong Sabado (Linggo sa Manila).

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Nakatakda siyang maging unrestricted free agent sa 2017-18 season. Bunsod ng bagong kontrata, nabalewala na ang huling dalawang taon sa kanyang unang kontrata at mananatili siya sa Houston hanggang 2020.

Aniya, madali lamang ang kanyang pagpapasya.

“You just feel it,” aniya.

“Sometimes you just get that feeling where everything feels comfortable, you feel loved, you feel like people want you to be here and that feeling outweighs anything. So the ultimate decision was to stay and get it done.”

Ang desisyon ng Houston management ay pagpapatunay na hindi sila naapektuhan sa masamang season ng Rockets, sinibak ng Golden State Warriors sa first round ng playoff, matapos makausad sa Western Conference finals noong 2014.

“I don’t think people appreciate how great he is,” sambit ni Houston owner Leslie Alexander. “But we certainly do.”

Ipinahayag din ng Rockets ang pagkuha kina free agent Ryan Anderson at Eric Gordon.