It isn’t just the pre-game handshake routines that have become increasingly baroque over the years. At some point, we entered a whole new era of on-court celebrations, whether it’s Vince Carter revving up the motorcycle after a big dunk, Russell Westbrook holstering his finger pistolas, Carmelo Anthony with a three to the dome, or Steph Curry adjusting his binoculars to get a better look at a teammate’s pretty shot.
Recently, there’s been a great deal of speculation out there about the true origins of the “stir the pot” celebration James Harden has inexplicably adopted this season. We first noticed it back in February when Harden nailed a step-back dagger with time winding down to ice a game against the Nets.
Both Bleacher Report and Fansided.com have claimed it’s an unsubtle homage to Houston-area rapper Chedda Da Connect’s “Flicka Da Wrist.” (Note to old school hip hop heads: please don’t bother listening to this song, unless you want to make your eyes rain.)
However, Sports Illustrated‘s Lee Jenkins uncovered a much simpler explanation in his profile on Harden from a few weeks back:
“That means something’s cooking,” says his housemate and former high school teammate Greg Howell.
Whatever it is, count color man Jeff Van Gundy among the many converts.
