Dwyane Wade predicted that James Harden’s move to the Rockets would increase pressure: "All eyes are focused on you night after night"

Dwyane Wade predicted that James Harden’s move to the Rockets would increase pressure: “All eyes are focused on you night after night” originally appeared on Basketball Network.

By October 2012, Dwyane Wade — a few years into his career — had never come off the bench. Still, he understood what it meant to make the leap from sixth man to franchise cornerstone.

Wade showed that insight during the offseason, when reigning 6MOY James Harden was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets.

Talking about the trade, The Flash clarified this wasn’t just a jersey change for his fellow NBA guard. Taking over as the lead man in Houston meant a full-on identity shift that carried real weight.

“All eyes are focused on you night after night,” said Wade, per ESPN. “It’s different when you come off the bench and you have a big night and everyone talks about it and if you don’t there’s not much written about it.”

In the shadow

In his first three seasons, former third overall pick Harden started only seven games for the Thunder, who had drafted him in 2009.

But that didn’t mean the lefty guard wasn’t starter-worthy. Per 36 minutes, he posted an impressive 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists — elite numbers for any player.

Yet his bench role fit OKC’s setup. With teammate Russell Westbrook commanding the ball, playing them together felt redundant, and benching Westbrook — the team’s heart and soul — for Harden was never in the cards. After all, the latter’s skill set fits the classic sixth man role better.

Coaches value those who thrive off the bench — think Manu Ginobili, Kevin McHale, Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, each of whom made their mark by sacrificing personal stats, recognition, and even pay — both salary and endorsements — for team success.

But from a player’s perspective, it can be harsh.

Just imagine The Beard sitting on the bench, watching teammates who couldn’t match his talent get all the playing time, while his opportunities stayed limited. At some point, it can be assumed that this risked hindering his development.

From Sixth Man to MVP

After the Thunder’s 2012 NBA Finals loss, the front office reportedly offered Harden a four-year deal worth $52 to $55 million. However, feeling undervalued and rushed, the player declined and was traded to Houston for Kevin Martin and draft picks just before the 2012–13 season.

Wade initially called the move “shocking” but later saw it benefiting both teams.

For James, Dwyane said, the outcome was great — exactly “what he wanted when he didn’t take the extension” — to be valued and featured.

Still, The Flash cautioned, saying, “The grind is tough,” especially when success doesn’t follow the big contract.

“Every night to step up to what everyone believes that you should do because of the dollar amount you ask for,” he emphasized.

Though the league’s rising star was still coming into his own, Wade was confident he could make an impact in Houston — and hindsight proves the Heat legend was right.

In the years that followed, Harden didn’t wilt under the pressure of being the main man — he embraced it, masterfully taking command of Houston’s offense, a role unlikely to have materialized in Oklahoma City with Westbrook and Durant running the show.

For the California native, the move paid off — not necessarily from a team perspective, but individually: he earned significant money with the Rockets, won the 2018 MVP award, and bolstered his case as a future Hall of Famer.

This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.

Dwyane Wade predicted that James Harden’s move to the Rockets would increase pressure: “All eyes are focused on you night after night”

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