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Daryl Morey explains how James Harden ‘transformed my life’

It’s been a few days since Daryl Morey stepped down from his position of Houston Rockets general manager, but he still hasn’t forgotten what the team’s biggest superstar has done for him over the years.

James Harden is one of the greatest scorers in NBA history, and he led his team to the conference finals twice — in 2014 and 2017. Unfortunately for them, the Warriors proved to be their undoing both times.

Morey saw plenty of regular-season success during his tenure with the team, which lasted from 2007-2020, but it could never get over the hump and punch a ticket to the NBA Finals. Still, he remembers the player that helped the team achieve so much success over the years, gushing over James Harden in a farewell piece he penned for the Houston Chronicle. Morey went as far as to say Harden “transformed my life” in the full-page ad.

“An entire page could be dedicated just to James. He not only transformed my life but he also revolutionized the game of basketball – and continues to do so – like almost no one had before,” Morey wrote. “The game is played differently because of James, and on every playground in the world, the next generation of talent is studying and imitating his game.

“I can’t believe I won’t be able to have another strategy session with James.”

The two clearly shared a bond, and had a special relationship.