Harden firing Rockets to new heights

"The man behind the beard" is on a mission.

Motivated and confident following his signing of a new four-year, $118.1 million contract extension with the Houston Rockets in July, star guard James Harden has answered critics who doubted his leadership credentials by guiding his revamped team through a successful preseason, both on and off the court.

As the team gathered at the tipoff circle upon the coach's call during the team's first practice in Shanghai on Saturday, Harden maintained his focus and rhythm in a warm-up shootout, firing 3-pointers off the catch in an uninterrupted flow.