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Harden says Westbrook's Thunder are 'one-man show'

Thomas B. Shea / USA TODAY Sports

James Harden is no stranger to the concept of a lone-wolf superstar carrying a team, and that's exactly what he sees in his former squad.

"It's Russ," Harden answered, when asked how the Oklahoma City Thunder are different without Kevin Durant, as reported by ESPN's Calvin Watkins.

"It's Russ and it's a one-man show."

Harden, who shoulders a heavy load himself in Houston, isn't exaggerating.

Three weeks into the season, Russell Westbrook is posting a league-leading usage rate of 40.8 percent - which would shatter Kobe Bryant's 11-year-old record (38.7%) - and is producing 54.9 points per game between his scoring and assists.

In addition, the Thunder perform 26.2 points per 100 possessions better when Westbrook is on the court, while their minus-20.2 net rating sans Westbrook is six points worse than Philadelphia's team net rating.

Years after the Thunder accumulated a once-in-a-generation collection of talent via the draft, Westbrook remains the lone remaining star in Oklahoma City. Harden was traded to Houston months after OKC's 2012 Finals appearance, before Durant signed in Golden State as part of a 2016 summer that also saw the Thunder deal Serge Ibaka to Orlando.

Westbrook's Thunder, who've lost four straight since a 6-1 start, host Harden's Rockets on Wednesday night.

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