Inside James Harden’s Signature Shoe Release Day

HOUSTON — It all started with a note.

Before James Harden became a four-time NBA All-Star. Before he was voted onto three All-NBA teams for the ridiculous amount of points he puts up after shaking defenders with his patented step-back of death. Before he became the undisputed franchise player for the Houston Rockets. Before he became one of the league’s biggest superstars and before he made “bearding” a thing, he was a ninth grader with a dream written on a homemade Post-it note.

That note, minor as it may seem, is part of Harden’s story. It’s the story he wants to tell with his signature Harden Vol. 1 shoe line. Each shoe release will have a special memory cherry-picked from his journey to his current Beard-God status attached, hence, the volume designation in the title.

“I wrote a note to my mom, asking her for some lunch money, as every kid does,” Harden said after a team shootaround in the Toyota Center. “I wrote her a note. I wrote ‘P.S. keep this note. One day ‘Imma be a star.’ She has that note to this day. I think it was important for me to express where I came from and how I got to this point and everything in between. So that’s a great memory for us to share.”

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— James Harden (@JHarden13) November 23, 2016

Sharing is definitely caring for Harden this season. Through 14 games, he’s averaging 28.6 points, 7.8 rebounds and a league-leading 12.4 assists per outing.

And as much as he’s enjoying all of the pick-and-pops with sweet shooters like Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon, or the pick-and-rolls with the high-flying Clint Capela, Harden is practically giddy about the chance to share some of his “swag” with his fans.

“Honestly, man, it’s a blessing to have my signature shoe drop today,” Harden said. “I’m extremely excited. Once in a lifetime opportunity. The ‘Imma Star, Harden Volume 1’ drops today. Obviously, you have to get prepared for a game tonight. But just that feeling has got me smiling all day.”

So, what is it like dropping a signature shoe on a game day? A day you’ve been thirsting for as an NBA superstar?

Maybe less glamorous than you think.

Because it was a game day and Harden had to gear up to face the Toronto Raptors’ Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, one of the league’s best backcourt duos, and try to help the Rockets get a win before heading out for a five-game road trip, there were …

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