James Harden, cleared for practice Monday, missed the first two preseason games under Kobe Protocol, looking a little heavier than he has and carrying the baggage of that uncomfortable dynamic that exists in Houston.

He can still bang up against the backstop, and last year he use screens less than 1% of his possessions.

Stephen Silas, who is the new head coach and the son of the great Paul Silas.

Let's change that first bucket of the preseason.

Their little behind the backdrop there and boogie Cousins with the drive hardens.

Got an assist now, so we're gonna use Harden Thio kick, and while he's open underneath, it goes off of his chest a little quick for James to start.

But again, we've missed some time.

Third quarter tight game on.

Let's see, Evan Vessel was a great defender at Florida State.

Great defender, Decent defense.

James has done that to a few guys in his career, and this time it's Devin Vessel who watches it fall through.

Harden adequate 12 points, three of 10 4 assists his partner, Although we're not sure how long.

John Wall, 15 points and three steals.

All right, let's bring in our buddy Brian Wynne horse.

What's up, Wendy?

What's the reaction around the league about what we witnessed from Harden last night?

Well, there are a lot of eyes.

An MBA front offices trained on that Houston feed last night to see James Harden.

And obviously, as you mentioned, his conditioning is not tiptop.

It was funny in talking to those executives.

Some felt that he looked really out of shape and others were like the rumors were pretty bad that he was out of shape and he didn't look as bad as we thought he did.

So take that for what it's worth.

Either way, Harden is gonna have to play his way into shape.

But I gotta say he still made four or five good plays in this game and a reminder that no matter what condition he's in, still a pretty good player and will be desirable.

At some point, I would agree still one of the best in the NBA s.

So we had this conversation last week, you and I, before Yana said yes to the Supermax deal, stays in Milwaukee.

The domino effect as it relates to harden is what?

So the 2021 free agent class, which six or seven months ago looked pretty dynamic, has essentially dried up with the honest extending his contract with Paul George extending within the last week.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis signing long term deals?

It's not much out there.

Kawhi Leonard will be a free agent, but nobody thinks he's gonna move.

And so there is now a belief that there could be a market reopening, maybe for Harden, maybe more.

Teams, realizing that their chance to get a star player on the on the free agent market is diminished, may look to talk to Houston.

That also may extend other players down the list, like Bradley dealer Kevin Love in the coming months.

But certainly the Rockets may have marginally benefited from me.

Honest locking in If you want a nem VP Delicious got shorter.

It's interesting to the whole physical conditioning thing.

Given Cove it off season, we'll talk about another player who isn't yet quite in top shape.

That, of course, is our buddy Ryan win horse.

Thanks for watching ESPN on YouTube for live streaming sports and premium content.