Sep 4, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni and guard James Harden (13) talks during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni and guard James Harden (13) talks during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers in game one of the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It was a quiet night in the NBA, but it’s one that former NBA coach Mike D’Antoni will never forget. After coaching for 16 years in the league, he retired in 2021, earning a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame for his incredible career.
Tonight was his official induction ceremony, and he had a lot to say as he reflected on his iconic coaching tenure. At one point, he even mentioned James Harden, someone he coached during the peak of his career. Of course, Harden was in attendance for the special occasion and appeared moved by D’Antoni’s message.
“My philosophy had to change to maximize this guy [James Harden],” D’Antoni said. “I remember when I went and told him he was going to run the offense as the point guard, I’m sure he was channeling his inner Bob McAdoo and thought, ‘Coach, just give me the effing ball.’ He’s one of the most skilled players I’ve ever coached, and I appreciate the trust he gave me. Thank you, James.”
D’Antoni was a man ahead of his time. Known for his ‘seven seconds or less’ offense, he revolutionized the modern game by prioritizing speed, three-point shooting volume, and a “Pace and Space” analytics style. He coached five different teams during his career, including the Nuggets, Suns, Knicks, Lakers, and Rockets. He had varying degrees of success in each coaching tenure, but he made a positive impact overall, and that was evident at the ceremony tonight.
“Our players and coaches had the courage to embrace a different way of playing. And together, we influenced the game,” said D’Antoni.
Besides the Suns, his biggest success story was in Houston, where he transformed James Harden from a Sixth Man to a regular MVP candidate. Under D’Atoni’s speedy, high-volume offense, Harden was able to elevate his game beyond anything we had seen from him before. In those four seasons, James was at his absolute best with averages of 32.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 6.7 rebounds per game. He won three scoring titles in this stretch, along with his first and only MVP award.
As a team, the Rockets were never able to win a title, but they came close. At the time, they were the toughest challengers to the Warriors dynasty, winning roughly 68.2% of their games (217-101). They even took the Warriors to seven games in the 2018 Western Conference Finals, nearly pulling off a major upset.
Sadly, D’Antoni left the Rockets in 2020 after being defeated in the playoffs, and Harden’s career was never the same. As more time passed, his status slowly began to degrade as he bounced from one team to the next. He faded into borderline obscurity until he found his way to the Cavaliers, where he managed to find some success alongside Donovan Mitchell, Evan Mobley, and Jarrett Allen.
But even with Harden thriving on his new team, it’s important to remember the factors that made his journey possible. While Mike D’Antoni is certainly not the only reason for his superstar ascension, he definitely enabled and empowered his game at a time when he was still discovering his true potential.