(SportsRadio 610) -- It is well-known that part of the reason Chris Paul is no longer a member of the Houston Rockets is because he and James Harden did not see eye-to-eye.
Whatever the rift was between the two, Harden said he’s not personalizing this first-round playoff matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a talented young group led by the 35-year-old Paul.
“I don’t ever take anything personal. I’m trying to win the game and I’m trying to win a playoff series,” Harden said Monday. “I take it one possession at a time, one game at a time. I think my role on this team, obviously to go out there and perform at a high level, but just to be a leader and making sure the guys around me all have that same mindset.
“If I can do that, we give ourselves a chance to win, especially with Russell (Westbrook) being out.”
Oklahoma City finished the regular season ranking seventh in both defensive rating and turnover percentage.
Rockets forward P.J. Tucker, who revealed Monday he’s been dealing with nerve damage in his neck since a January game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, said he fully expects Paul to be extra motivated.
Tucker expects the matchup to be fun.
“I think this is interesting,” Tucker said. “After the trade last year, knowing him, he wants this bad. I know how bad he wants this. I know he’s on the other side telling guys what our guys are gonna do, you know, kind of trying to give our game plan. I know how competitive he is. It’s going to be an interesting series. It’s going to be fun. I’m looking forward to it, for sure.”
The Rockets and Thunder (both 44-28) begin the best-of-seven game series Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. CT.
