Jan 19, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA Charlotte Bobcats point guard Kemba Walker (15) shoots free throws during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Kings defeated the Bobcats 97-93. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Kemba Walker scored a career high 35 points and the Charlotte Bobcats held the Houston Rockets to just 39 percent from the floor, but in the end, James Harden’s TWENTY-ONE FREE-THROWS were to much for Charlotte to overcome.

The Rockets won the game 100-94, even though the ‘Cats held leads as big as 12, were a +3 in turnovers and out-shot Houston in every category.

Walker got to the line for just six free-throws, but still outplayed Harden, hitting six of his seven threes and shooting 57 percent from the floor. Harden scored 29 points on a dreadful five-of-20 from the floor. Again, the TWENTY-ONE FREE-THROWS (just three less than the entire Bobcats’ team shot) saved his day.

Ramon Sessions and Hakim Warrick were the only other ‘Cats to reach double figures in scoring against Houston, and Sessions and Bismack Biyombo were the only Charlotte players to grab more than four boards (Sessions had eight, Biyombo had nine). Biyombo also added an impressive seven blocks to his stat line while scoring just two points on five shots.

For the first time in a while, Tyrus Thomas found his way on to the floor, and he took nine minutes away from Jeff Adrien. In those nine minutes, Thomas grabbed two boards, had one assist, and committed a foul. In his 14 minutes, Adrien missed all three of his shots, but scored two points to go along with two boards and a block.

Charlotte lost the rebounding battle to Houston 47-40, and I’m not saying giving all of Thomas’s nine minutes to Adrien would’ve helped that cause, I’m just saying.

Did I mention James Harden took TWENTY-ONE FREE-THROWS today?

December 21, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden (13) prepares to drive past Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson (15) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

Contrary to what some people think, I am not shocked that James Harden was traded. However, I do question the fact that Oklahoma City traded James Harden to a team located in the Western Conference.  Maybe OKC isn’t intimidated by Houston….yet. I guess that they assume the Rockets will not be a problem since Jeremy Lin is their point guard. If they feel this way, then I hope that they face the Rockets in the playoffs.

I wonder if the Charlotte Bobcats tried to get James Harden. He would have been a perfect fit for Charlotte. Although Charlotte already has Ben Gordon, as owner I would have done whatever was necessary to get James Harden. Needless to say, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist would have been untouchable.

Charlotte has an opportunity to change the future of this franchise this season. I think that they should play hard and try to win as many games they can. Do not focus on tanking the season to earn the number one pick in the 2013 NBA Draft. Play hard and earn the respect of key players, so they will want to play in Charlotte. In my opinion, the Bobcats are two players away from changing the outlook of the Eastern Conference.

Will Bobcats opponents soon "fear the beard"? Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

A new name has surfaced in trade rumors involving the Charlotte Bobcats and their second overall pick in the upcoming NBA draft.

Jeff Goodman reported that “a source” says James Harden “could be in play” because of OKC’s salary issues. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are locked up long term with big money, and Harden, as well as Serge Ibaka, will command hefty salaries once their deals are up after the 2012/13 season.

The only way this deal would make sense is if Harden agrees to a contract extension. Giving up the second overall pick for a player who comes to your team for one season would be pointless.

If Rick Cho and company can actually make this deal happen, the Bobcats’ rebuilding process would be significantly accelerated. Harden is already a borderline All Star, and definitely better than any player Charlotte could take with the second pick.

As @noamschiller put it on twitter: “If the Bobcats can get James Harden out of this draft, Rich Cho should get a statue that floats above the entire state of North Carolina.”