Originally published in March of 2013 on Hickory-High:
The Signing, Stopping and Standing of James Harden
Styles stumbling stoically with
Purpose: A
Whistle: A
Trip to the line
James signs James on a line to
Arizona State to
Herb Sendek to
Shoot free throws and threes
Aware of the lines to
Declare for a draft to
Agree to terms laid forth and created
By people, ahem, by men with crisp
Suits and great big mahogany desks
That stretch across office floors in
Manhattan to
Play basketball for the Oklahoma
City Thunder in exchange for a
Wage placing him figurative skyscrapers
Above the median income of all
Humans on the planet to
Play for Scott Brooks to
Chip chop away at another man’s
Minutes, another man’s time, to
Diminish that man’s value relative to his
Until the breaking point is
Reached and James is signing his name
On another line in another city to
Make even more money in
Exchange for playing more basketball for
Another team and another coach
Until Nike comes calling with another
Offer where James’ll sign on a line
For acting like he’s playing or
Playing like he’s acting in exchange
For money
And he deftly navigates the lines: He draws attention and goes to
The line
Stop in motion with toes just behind
The line
Sit at those great big desks in
Tempe, Manhattan, Oklahoma City, Houston,
Beaverton and keep signing his
Name and agreeing to the terms laid
Out in tiny letters on contracts filed away in
Databases and filing cabinets in law
Offices and corporate offices:
In return for my services, I will
Receive money
I agree to the terms here forth:
James Harden,
Inside the lines
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