Houston Rockets: 6 takeaways from preseason opener against Shanghai

6 of 6

Russell Westbrook #0 of the Houston Rockets gives James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. James Harden and Russell Westbrook are happy

The last takeaway came at the very end of the game, and confirmed something we already knew. Harden and Westbrook love each other, and they’re happy to be reunited. Just look how happy they are dancing on the bench together.

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1178859100815290368

A lot was made of Harden’s relationship with Chris Paul, and we probably won’t know the full extent of all the rumors which started swirling last year, but he clearly was never as close with The Point God as he is with The Brodie, with whom he started his career in Oklahoma City.

The dynamic duo understands each other on and off the court and it will be a thrill to see their chemistry develop even more as the year goes on. Their friendship will be beneficial for the entire team, and will bring the entire cohort closer together.

Next. Ranking top 6 NBA owners: Where Tilman Fertitta lands

Part of what made Russ and Kevin Durant such a great duo was their friendship and understanding of each other. The same can be said of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Conversely, take a look at Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard‘s disastrous season together, a season in which they never gelled as friends. Friendship is important for chemistry, and that’s one thing Houston won’t have to worry about, because they’ve already checked that box.