FIBA World Cup: James Harden throws up alley-oop to Rudy Gay (Video)

Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA players Damian Lillard (22) and guard James Harden (32) look on as teammate Paul George is tended to after suffering a leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 1, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA players Damian Lillard (22) and guard James Harden (32) look on as teammate Paul George is tended to after suffering a leg injury during the USA Basketball Showcase at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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Team USA had a rough road to the World Cup in losing Paul George, having Kevin Love, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin drop out and facing expectations of epic proportions, the Americans are doing alright so far.

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Scratch that, they’re doing more than alright — they’re lighting it up against Finland in their first game of group play at the World Cup. In particular, Houston Rockets star guard James Harden has had a fantastic start to the game and seems to be going strong down the stretch against the Fins.

Already he’s wowed with his euro-stepping ability, having danced around the Finnish defense with relative ease, and now he’s throwing up alley-oop — ‘murica style.

Team USA really wasn’t expected to struggle in this game so the fact that they aren’t isn’t all that surprising. What is a little bit interesting is that Harden is having such a great game, as he could emerge as a leader for Team USA and return to Houston even better than when he left.

Be sure to check FanSided.com’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.