James Harden pulled off what might be considered the crossover of the year on Wesley Johnson. Here are some of the best reactions to the highlight.
With James Harden and the Rockets returning to Staples Center to take on the Clippers, everyone was reminiscing on the post-game antics that took place back on Jan. 15.
In the last matchup, there was a lot of arguing back and forth between the two teams throughout the game. The refs ejected Trevor Ariza and Blake Griffin in the fourth quarter in order to keep the game from getting out of hand.
Tempers boiled over after the game as Trevor Ariza and Gerald Green went through a not-so-secret tunnel to the Clippers locker room in order to confront Griffin and Austin Rivers. Security intervened, online memes ensued, and it was all a big mess.
But after James Harden’s crossover put Wesley Johnson on the hardwood on Wednesday night, everyone has completely forgotten about that.
The crossover of the year
James Harden pulled off the crossover of the year and perhaps the best of his career.
Harden started off by dribbling the ball between his legs a few times to get his rhythm. When Wesley Johnson reached for the ball, Harden tried to drive past him to the hoop. Johnson was able to cut off the lane but Harden pulled out his patented step back crossover and Johnson hit the deck.
To throw salt in the wound, Harden then stared at Johnson, spun the ball and then nailed a 3-pointer. Every Rockets player was off of the bench, and even though the Rockets were in LA, the entire arena was buzzing.
According to a parody SportsCenter account on Twitter, The Beard will have quite a long jail sentence.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Police have filed assault, battery, manslaughter, murder, rape, and terrorism charges against James Harden for what he did to Wesley Johnson
— NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) March 1, 2018
The Undefeated’s Jemele Hill also wants to see charges pressed on Harden for taking Johnson’s soul.
Wesley Johnson has to go into a witness protection program. And James Harden must be brought up on charges for snatching this man’s soul. pic.twitter.com/7pM82he8kC
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) March 1, 2018
Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is worried about the state of Wesley Johnson’s family.
That man got a family @JHarden13 https://t.co/0FlesWaS21
— Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) March 1, 2018
FanSided tweeted Johnson getting crossed over into oblivion. I don’t think he’s coming back to earth anytime soon.
ICYMI: @jharden13 crossed Wesley Johnson into oblivion! #NBA #JamesHarden #Rockets pic.twitter.com/wQEWe78nJ4
— FanSided (@FanSided) March 1, 2018
LeBron James described Harden’s crossover as something that every basketball player dreams about.
“It’s one of those moves you dream about having.”
LeBron on James Harden’s crossover on Wesley. pic.twitter.com/svNZTTz38p
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 1, 2018
And what did The Beard himself think about his viral crossover?
James Harden only has one thing going through his mind while playing: pic.twitter.com/biJRlSINOu
— ESPN (@espn) March 1, 2018
James Harden ended the night with 25 points, 7 assists, 2 steals and one deadly crossover.
Next: James Harden thinks the Rockets will win a championship this year
Also, the Rockets won their 14th consecutive game. Houston will have to keep this winning streak going, because they’re only a half game ahead of Golden State for the No. 1 seed.