James Harden made his return to the Toyota Center tonight with his new team. The Brooklyn Nets’ guard came back to face the Houston Rockets, the team he played with for nine years. It was a big night for Harden, who many consider to be one of the greatest players to don the Rockets’ jersey. And despite the messy exit, it appears to be all love between him and his former teammates.

James Harden returns to H-Town

James Harden entered the Toyota Center for the Nets‘ game against the Houston Rockets. He was spotted after the game, talking to his former teammate PJ Tucker.

The duo seemed to be having an amicable conversation amongst themselves, before sharing a warm embrace. It was a nice moment to witness, and one that came as a surprise given how Harden’s exit was handled.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, James Harden spent nine years with the Houston Rockets. He joined the franchise in 2012, after struggling for minutes in a stacked Oklahoma City Thunder team with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Serge Ibaka.

After joining the Rockets, Harden immediately established himself as one of the elite players in the NBA and a perennial All-Star.

READ MORE: ‘Things Happened’: James Harden Opens Up on Why He Left the Houston Rockets

During his time with Houston, Harden transformed the team into a perennial contender. They were often in the Western Conference Finals but had the misfortune of going against the Golden State Warriors, who were one of the greatest teams of all time. But Harden and the Rockets were always able to push them and make things close.

Harden – A Houston legend?

Harden became an MVP with the Rockets in 2018. But after several disappointing playoff exits and multiple All-Star teammates, James Harden chose to leave the franchise in 2020.

He forced his way out of Houston to get a trade to the Brooklyn Nets. The final few months of James Harden as a Rocket may have soured many over his time there, but no one can deny his importance.

READ MORE: Houston Rockets Owner Signals They Will Retire James Harden’s #13 Jersey

Will James Harden go down as one of the greatest Houston Rockets players ever? Given all he did for the franchise, his name should be mentioned among the likes of Hakeem Olajuwon and Moses Malone in Rockets lore.

But given the nature of his exit, fans may not be so quick to accept him as a Rockets’ legend.