OKC Thunder: Top 10 moments of 2009-2010 season

LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 22: Russell Westbrook #0 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on December 22, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 111-108. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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OKC loses their razor

Try to remember as you’re reading this that, at this time, the Thunder had not traded James Harden to the Houston Rockets. Try to remember that his beard had barely begun, and that he still wore a headband and came off the bench. If you can’t do that, at least try to remember that OKC still has this moment to thank for Steven Adams.

Try.

On June 25, 2009, with the third pick in the NBA Draft, the Oklahoma City Thunder selected… … … James Harden, from Arizona State University.

The Thunder had moved up in the draft lottery from the fourth pick to the third, but luckily had not moved up to the second. There were (and still are) rumors that OKC was enamored of Hasheem Thabeet, and that he’d have been the choice ahead of Harden if he’d been available. Luckily, the Memphis Grizzlies, with Marc Gasol already on the roster, jumped on that grenade.

James Harden was, at the time, maybe not controversial, but was considered a bit of a reach. Many mocks had OKC taking Ricky Rubio, and Harden going around sixth. Russell Westbrook, you see, was incapable of being a real point guard – or at least that’s what many people thought.

Thank Sam Presti for ignoring those people.

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