Staff and Wire Reports
OKLAHOMA CITY -- James Harden credits some sound advice from his mother for making him the basketball player he is now as the first-round draft pick of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Harden said he didn't really think he was NBA-bound until he started creating some buzz as a freshman in college. He credits his mother for reminding him that "there's always somebody out there better than you," advice that helped keep his head on straight.
Harden said those words helped keep him humble and stable, and he thinks those qualities match up with his new Thunder teammates.
He was introduced to Oklahoma City fans Saturday, along with new teammates B.J. Mullens and Robert Vaden.
Harden will wear No. 13 for the Thunder, while Mullens will wear No. 23 and Vaden No. 30.