Picked third overall in the 2009 NBA Draft after two years playing at Arizona State University, James Harden rose from a supporting role with the Oklahoma City Thunder to become one of the NBA's greatest current players and the 2018 league MVP for the Houston Rockets. Harden, the youngest of three siblings, used basketball as a way to rise above the mean streets of Compton, California to NBA superstardom. He is a four-time All-First Team NBA selection and the 2018 league scoring and assist champion. The only thing more fearsome than his step-back jump shot may be his famous and prodigious beard. Each book in the Hardwood Greats series gives you the reader a close-up look at some of the very best of today's NBA stars. The statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions-building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Educational Videos are offered in chapters through the use of a QR code, that, when scanned, takes the student to an online video showing a moment in history, a speech, or an instructional video. This gives the readers additional content to supplement the text. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.
