Harden: "This is like game 7"

[SlamDunc21]

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baske...fs/55265788/1?

James Harden: 'This is like a Game 7' for Thunder vs. Spurs
By Robert Klemko, USA TODAY

SAN ANTONIO – Oklahoma City Thunder veterans Kendrick Perkins and Nazr Mohammed are treating Game 2 of the Western Conference finals as another game in a series full of critical meetings with the San Antonio Spurs.

"You just take it one game at a time; you can't look in the past or forward," Perkins said at Tuesday's morning shootaround at a school near the team hotel.

But guard James Harden, the NBA's sixth man of the year and one of Oklahoma City's three young stars, promises a more urgent approach Tuesday (9 p.m. ET, TNT) following the team's 101-98 loss Sunday night.

"We're locked in, focused, ready to go, ready to get another crack at winning on the road," Harden said. "We're anxious to get back on the court."

How important is it to avoid falling again to the Spurs?

"It's important not to go down 2-0, period, no matter if it's against San Antonio or anybody," Harden says. "We're very good at coming off losses. So we're going to have to come with the mindset that we need to win this game, no matter what. This is like a Game 7 for us. We'll be ready."

[Fundamental9903]

Interesting. Because I believe the same thing. If the Spurs go up 2-0, it's over. Can't wait to see if the Thunder play like it's a Game 7.

[esparzar1]

Completly agree with Harden. It's like a game 7 for the Thunder. If they go down 0-2 it's over! There is no possible way (barring injuries) that the Thunder take 4 out of 5 games. NO WAY.....tonights game is HUGE!!!

[Eddy from Austin]

I agree with Harden but it sucks for him cause they ain't winning it!

[SlamDunc21]

I agree that it is essentially "do or die" for them tonite. But at the same time, he shouldn't go on record as saying that. It admits he is feeling defeated in the series if they lose tonite.

I just hope the Spurs match the energy while hopefully bring cleaner play to the whole game. And give Harden and the Thunder the feeling of heading for the fishing trip.

[MichaelWi101]

Thunder needed to win game 1, that's the best chance they had. When leading a best-of-7 NBA playoff series 1-0, the Spurs have a 21-4 series record, and a 19-6 Game 2 record.

We'll see a more desperate Thunder team tonight and they may overcome the odds and the statistics, but I just can't see it happening to this Spurs team.

[katyspursfan]

Originally Posted by SlamDunc21

I agree that it is essentially "do or die" for them tonite. But at the same time, he shouldn't go on record as saying that. It admits he is feeling defeated in the series if they lose tonite.

I just hope the Spurs match the energy while hopefully bring cleaner play to the whole game. And give Harden and the Thunder the feeling of heading for the fishing trip.

I'd throw out a sawbuck that Harden will claim that the Spurs only did what they needed to do, winning at home, after the Spurs win tonight.
That the Thunder will need to do the same and try to steal game 5 in SA.

[KAD]

harden's go the right mentality, hopefully teh Spurs come with the same mindset and get nasty from the get go.

[InegoMontoya]

Have to agree with Harden, although the old commentary suggests the series hasnt started until someone loses at home.
The spurs almost gave that game away with turnovers in the first half, if they play their usual ball tonight OKC is in trouble because SA will win AT LEAST one of the games in OKC.
I think the Thunder missed their chance to steal one...

[Jose_TheGenius]

Originally Posted by InegoMontoya

Have to agree with Harden, although the old commentary suggests the series hasnt started until someone loses at home.

what if it goes 7 with the home team winning all the games?

[InegoMontoya]

Then the right team will win! Here's hoping for a spurs sweep though...

[zipper-boy]

Knowing it's a must win and saying it are completely different. What if OK doesn't win, hasn't Harden conceded the series? Good caulkboard material for the locker room too!

[grizzly_bexar]

Harden's playing like it's a game 7, but the rest of the Thunder are out of sync. They are really close to turning on each other.

[WILLTHETHRILL]

Sweep City continues?

[Spurs Rulez]

Originally Posted by Jose_TheGenius

what if it goes 7 with the home team winning all the games?

The old saying states that a series doesn't really start getting interesting until the road team wins a game or it is an elimination game...whichever comes first. In your situation, things would get interesting in game 6.

[dark21horse]

So riddle me this. You big three scores 31, 30, 27, and your team still loses. How often does that happen?????

[zipper-boy]

It's oooover! What's his next soundbite.

[Guapo]

Originally Posted by zipper-boy

It's oooover! What's his next soundbite.

Harden : "A small bird just flew out of my beard."

[KAD]

Harden took it seriously and played like a Game 7 - 10-13 for 30 points was great! But the Spurs won thankfully.

[Guapo]

Originally Posted by KAD

Harden took it seriously and played like a Game 7 - 10-13 for 30 points was great! But the Spurs won thankfully.

He's playing for his next contract. Let's hope its a HUGE one!

[Eddy from Austin]

Originally Posted by dark21horse

So riddle me this. You big three scores 31, 30, 27, and your team still loses. How often does that happen?????

Hint