James Harden lifts off and slams on Steven Adams (Video)

In the Battle of the Beards, Rockets shooting guard James Harden wins on this slam when he posterizes  Thunder center Steven Adams.

Though they don’t play in the same division, the Rockets and the Thunder have one of the fiercest rivalries in the Western Conference. Both clubs have been perennial playoff threats for the last half decade and have decent geographical proximity. There’s also that whole James Harden trade between these two Western foes.

Harden was dealt prematurely to the Rockets before the start of the 2012-13 NBA season for Kevin Martin and a draft pick that would eventually become center Steven Adams. In the Battle of the Beards, Harden won by humiliating Adams on this no-doubt posterization.

Was the jam by Harden slick? Absolutely, but Adams didn’t have much of a chance to protect the rim on that play. See Harden powered past a flailing wing in Andre Roberson to pick up speed and lift on that jam to become Rocket Man.

Harden continues to marvel NBA fans during his MVP campaign. He is one of four legitimate candidates for the award along with Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook, Cleveland Cavaliers small forward LeBron James and San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard.

The Rockets could very well end up meeting the Thunder in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. If the season were to end today, they would be the No. 3 versus No. 6 matchup in the first round with the Rockets having home-court advantage.

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If Harden is able to attack the rim with this type of conviction in the playoffs, Houston will be a tough out for any team that gets in their way. Houston may not be anything more than a dark horse to win the West, but the Rockets are one of the most entertaining teams to play basketball in the NBA.