Rockets' James Harden 'excited' about new coach Mike D'Antoni's arrival

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The selection of Mike D'Antoni as Rockets coach will not have to win the approval of guard James Harden. Harden, who had been kept abreast throughout the coaching search, endorsed the pick in an appearance as the first guest of teammate Jason Terry's radio show.

"I'm excited," Harden said on Sirius XM on Wednesday. "I'm excited about the opportunity. I've been hearing great things about him, what he brings to our team. Obviously, our assistant coaches (Jeff Bzdelik and Roy Rogers) as well. A new beginning and I'm excited about the opportunity.

"I'm excited about what D'Antoni brings to our team. Bzdelik is a great defensive-minded coach coming from Memphis who is going to help our defensive schemes. Then the players we're going to get, it's set up as a great season for our team next year."

Terry immediately told Harden he thought D'Antoni's offense would fit especially well for Harden, comparing Harden's playmaking to Steve Nash's when Nash was D'Antoni's point guard with the Phoenix Suns.

"I told people D'Antoni works perfectly for James," Terry said. "If you look at your numbers, you're primarily, basically, the point guard for the Houston Rockets. You fill up the stat sheet. The ball's in your hands 90 percent of the time. It's kind of similar to what Steve Nash was able to do his two years in Phoenix where he became the two-time MVP. You're right there on the cusp."

Harden was ninth in the MVP voting this season after finishing as the runner-up in 2014-15. He was not on any of the All NBA teams, prompting Terry to read Harden's statistics and calling Harden's exclusion "a travesty." Harden averaged 29 points, 7.5 assists and 6.1 rebounds last season.

"That's something I've been thinking about," Harden said. "It wasn't a good year. I guess the media was looking at it like the Rockets are coming off the Western Conference Finals and fighting for the eighth seed. We're still in the playoffs. With all the things that happened this year, all the negativity, we still had an opportunity to make the playoffs.

Rockets star James Harden said he's excited about what new coach Mike D'Antoni brings to the team. Rockets star James Harden said he's excited about what new coach Mike D'Antoni brings to the team. Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Photo: Karen Warren, Staff Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close Rockets' James Harden 'excited' about new coach Mike D'Antoni's arrival 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

"That's extra motivation for me to come back and be a better basketball player overall. I'm not down on myself. I know what I bring to the table. That's another reason why I'm more excited about what we have next year as far as coaching plans and players we have coming in. More motivation for me. I want to get back in the gym, better myself and everything will work itself out."