James Harden needed the Los Angeles Clippers a few years ago. Turns out, they needed the superstar just as much.

Braun deflected the credit. He said he was able to play tighter defense on Harden because of players such as Aaron Gordon behind him. They were there waiting, just in case Harden broke away.

A left-handed player himself, Murray-Boyles grew up watching and trying to emulate James Harden, but as his game started to take shape, his influences changed. He admired like-minded forwards such as ...