James Harden didn’t discuss his trade request today during his first meeting with the media since the Rockets opened training camp, writes Tim MacMahon of ESPN.
Harden admits he’s “in catch-up mode” after after reporting to camp late, then having to undergo six COVID-19 tests before being cleared to practice with his teammates. Harden was seen at parties in Atlanta and Las Vegas while other players reported for individual workouts and coronavirus testing, but he told reporters that he had his personal trainers with him during those trips.
“I can only focus on right now, and for me, the best James Harden is making sure I’m in shape,” Harden said. “Like I said, I hadn’t even had an opportunity to play 5-on-5. Individual workouts, when you do individual basketball training, is great, but as every NBA player can agree, there’s nothing like 5-on-5 training, the physicality, making reads and things like that. Yesterday for my first time being out there (in a preseason game), I felt good, and that’s exciting.”
Harden sidestepped questions about his demand to be moved, which has overshadowed everything else about the offseason in Houston. Brooklyn is reportedly his first choice, but he has expanded that list to include Philadelphia, Miami and Milwaukee. A report earlier this week indicated Harden hasn’t changed his mind about his desire to leave the Rockets.
Harden says the possibility of a trade hasn’t been brought up by teammates since he arrived at camp last week.
“Since I’ve been here, nothing has been said about it,” Harden said. “Everybody in the locker room and the coaching staff has been focused on ramping up and preparing for the season. That’s all that matters.”
That’s a strategy adopted by coaches and players, who are determined to focus on winning games and trying to stay away from any distractions, according to MacMahon. DeMarcus Cousins, who is in his first season playing with Harden, says there’s a difference between basketball and business.
“You can only respect a guy for doing whatever he feel is best for him, his personal life and his career,” Cousins said. “So, no, honestly, I haven’t (tried to convince Harden to commit to the Rockets), and I don’t really feel like that’s my place. That’s a decision he has to make for himself.”
Although there have been reports that Harden wasn’t happy with the Rockets’ decision to hire Stephen Silas, Harden was complimentary toward his new head coach at today’s press conference. Silas has said repeatedly that he will keep his focus on coaching and let the front office determine whether to trade Harden.
It’s a shame he has to catch up. If only he didn’t have to party in Vegas and Atlanta during a pandemic.
It would be most right for Harden to be stuck playing in Houston – not because of his contract, but because he’s been playing GM for a while – and has not been doing a good job.
Also, James, if you had shown up on time, none of your excuses would be possible.
Player version of Bill O’Brien?
#FreeTheBeard
Free him from what? From making hundreds of millions of dollars playing for an organization that lets him do whatever he wants and will cancel work days so he can fly to Vegas and get drunk? Poor him, he really is the modern day Rosa Parks.
Rosa Parks is an interesting comp. Care to elaborate on that one?
I’m just saying, 0.00001% of the world gets to make hundreds of millions of dollars, has every request fulfilled, and gets to choose when to work. This idea that we should feel bad or he needs to be freed from a situation of his own creation is silly. #FreeTheBeard is as dumb as if Lebron started a Go Fund Me to repair his private jet. He isn’t a victim.
Yeah I get it I just dont know why you chose Rosa Parks of all people…sort of an obscure reference not the first name I would have picked. Just trying to tease out the thought process on that one see what’s going on.
Did she have a beard?
grizzly adams did have a beard
Are you really that dense? The point is the guy is a diva. He’s not some sacrificing martyr. People would give anything to be in his position.
So the opposite of a diva is Rosa Parks? You’re right I’m the crazy one…
Do you just troll everyone? The original comment was Free the Beard…he’s got nothing to be freed from his own mess….Ross Parks is a true hero, and the original commenter was trying to indicate Harden is the exact opposite
*Rosa
I seek out the truth through conversation and spirited debate. Yeah, sometimes its uncomfortable. But if you cant handle that it’s a You problem. I’m the dunker, baby.
Why is this so hard to understand? He’s saying that James Harden is a privileged diva with every opportunity open to him. He chose Rosa Parks because he needed a counter-example, someone who exemplifies the opposite of that. This isn’t rocket science.
Yeah, umm…I get the point. Do you get context? Rosa Parks was a bad example. Does she exemplify the “opposite of an entitled diva”? Sure. Is she known for that? Not really. She is known as a prominent figure in the american civil rights movement. There are a million other people to choose from, and yet Black Ace chose rosa parks, civil rights hero, specifically. It’s a weird choice, is all. And I was trying to find out more about it. People get so touchy on here.
It’s actually not a weird choice at all
LOL right on. Vegas baby Vegas!
I think the rockets could be decent. If they could trade harden and get a good return I think they’d be better off without his bullsh**
they’re a lot better off with Harden suited up.
What are they really gonna get for Harden? Like Tobias Harris and a couple picks?
That doesn’t make them better.
I think the Rockets made some smart moves this off-season bringing in Wood and Wall.
A Harden trade this season seems very unlikely unless the team completely tanks.
Will prob move him next off-season if he’s still crying
James Harden “In Catch-Up Mode,” Doesn’t Address Trade Request
No team in the league really wants him because they simply can’t afford him
1.) Trade Pieces
2.) Salary
So he is going to have to suck it up
Harden is playing all yall. Look at you hanging on every word, rushing to comment, to tell everyone how bad you think he is. Meanwhile he gets exactly what he wants, max money, parties, play in nba. And what do you get? Undercooked pizza rolls coz ma never showed u how to make them and she is visiting her sister for xmas which is code for getting drunk in a motel room so she can forget her one joy in life her son grew up to be nothing more than a loser commentor on a basketball message board (and not even in the top 3). Harden 1: dunker 1: all of u 0
Little_Dunker_45 for the win. It’s his world we’re just living on it
No he isn’t playing us. He is being an putz and people are calling him out for it. When a baby cries on an airplane the baby isn’t “playing them” when they get annoyed.
Idk you seem pretty worked up over a guy you’ve never even met before, working a job you’ll never have, in a city you don’t even live in. For someone who osnt a rockets fan you spend a lot of your energy on their star player…and so that is why he playing you. Its even worse because u cant even see it happening lol
Honestly mostly comment when he is linked to the Sixers. It does though bother me when these uber successful elites think they are victims when we have spent 2020 with mass unemployment, illness, and death with COVID. If you can’t see how partying in Vegas when most places are in lockdown and people are trying to pay rent is wrong and angering I can’t help you.
Who said he is a victim? Of what? He wants to play for a different team. That’s allowed. He earned a loud voice through his accomplished play. Just like if he went to nets and won (not happening) he earn the criticism. Oh u can only win with superstars. Happened to lebron too FYI. So yeah…victim? Maybe ur upset over something else
To be fair I don’t see where Harden is playing the victim
He asked for a trade, which is any player’s right to do. Seems like he’s being pretty PC about it at this point
I hear you, dunker. Personally, as someone who likes to party, squanders money, and has never lived up to my potential, I sort of enjoy it when a professional athlete DGAF. Makes me feel kind of warm inside.
@curtis You have a healthy outlook maybe not a healthy lifestyle tho
Lol!!!! Dunker you do know that there is a life outside the internet. Your desire for popularity, respect, and “friends”(as you asserted in your previous comment to me) on the board is amazing! Since you gave me your half cocked internet assessment on my demeanor in the previous post I will repeat mines of your demeanor. You come off soft, worldly, and needy. Grow a pair and believe
in yourself instead of taking pride in being a ” top commentor” on here over nonesense. Good luck!
Oh I see now. You mentioned something personal about yourself. Which to me reveals alot about how your posts come off on here. Got you ;) good luck bro!
Dunker is Harden in a burn account. “Top 3” dude needs to get himself a date and a job
U really got me Pegged, dont ya? Only in America is being “worldly” an insult lol.
You spent not 1 but 2 comments writing about Me (I don’t play in the NBA) in a thread you weren’t even involved in. Does someone have a crush?
This is why I’m top 3 baby. Maybe one day you can dust my keyboard. You can pretend it isnt a great honor, but Dunker knows the truth sweetie.
who the hell makes pep rolls? Every gas station sells them in 2020
What a knucklehead.
Looks like someone put a fat filter on Harden. No trade.
Haden
Hardens a Buh
Yawn !!!! Morey built the monster. Then he ran. Wake me when he’s traded.
Anyone that addresses themselves in the third person should be questioned indefinitely.
I love reading these articles every single day by the ESPN writers trashing Harden while they keep pouring gasoline on the smoldering remains of the trade rumors regarding him, trying to turn the situation into a towering inferno. It’s just hilarious.
They act like he is the only professional athlete to ever get preferential treatment from his team. I guarantee that every team LeBron has ever played for has treated him exactly the same way as the Rockets treat Harden. Just like so many other superstars before them, and those in the future will be treated exactly the same.
Harden isn’t Lebron.
You only say that because LeBron has multiple championships and Harden has none…
You’re probably right, but there’s a big difference between these two men. Players want to play with LBJ. They seek out his teams, no matter where he is.
Meanwhile, players run away from Harden screaming. Why do you think that is?
I still don’t understand why it’s wrong for him to not want to be there anymore. Guy goes into work. Succeeds as best he can. Once guy comes to the point where he can no longer achieve his personal goals, he starts wondering about working elsewhere. Sounds like 99% of blue collar America.
A lot of people are mad because he didn’t, in fact, go into work for a bit. Maybe you missed it lol