The NBA office and Rockets officials are reviewing a social media video of James Harden at a strip club to determine the date it occurred, tweets Tim MacMahon of ESPN. If it is found to be recent, it could be considered a violation of COVID-19 protocols and Harden may not be allowed to play in tonight’s season opener.
MacMahon adds that the NBA’s health and safety protocols state that “failure or refusal to comply with the protocols may subject players and team staff to disciplinary action by the NBA or his or her team which may include a warning, fine, and/or suspension” (Twitter link). A suspension for Harden would cost him $284,517 per game, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN.
It’s the latest controversy for the former MVP, whose desire to be traded has been the dominant story of Houston’s offseason. Harden was late reporting to camp as images surfaced of him partying in Atlanta and Las Vegas, and a report surfaced Tuesday of tension between Harden and his teammates, including an incident where he reportedly threw a basketball at Jae’Sean Tate.
Harden first issued a trade request during the offseason, indicating that he had lost confidence in the organization’s ability to build a championship contender around him. Since arriving at camp, he has brushed aside questions about a possible deal, but hasn’t relented in his desire to leave the Rockets.
According to reports, Houston hasn’t been able to reach any traction in trade talks with a number of teams. The Heat pulled out of discussions this week and the Nuggets weren’t willing to part with Jamal Murray or Michael Porter Jr.
Marc Stein of The New York Times wrote in his newsletter this week that it has “recently become known” that the Celtics and Raptors have had exploratory talks about Harden, but it’s not clear if Stein is reporting – or confirming – that himself, or referring to other unconfirmed reports.
The Rockets have been steadfast in saying they won’t part with Harden unless they get a young star and a package of draft picks in return. We’ll see if this latest incident affects their asking price.
Most predictable development of all time.
I would say second most of the day behind Josh Gordons failed reinstatement.
BROOKLYN,BROOKLYN,BROOKLYN
How does one determine the date of a video taken inside a strip club?
The date stamp on the video.
Come on man where’s your holiday spirit? You could have said “cut the strippers in half and count the rings” or “visit all the clubs, get all the schedules, and… What were we doing again?”
It’s the perfect setup for a joke man, and you blew it. LOL
There’s a joke somewhere in “you blew it,” but I’m not going there!!!
Sorry – where is my spirit, and merry Xmas / happy holidays. Was busy starting a thread below on the all-NBA strip club team.
I’m guessing Jason Lancaster is a somewhat common name but… any chance you’re the singer Jason Lancaster? If so… big fan hahaha — if not… I agree think we should have gone with the counting the rings option :-) haha
They check the tattoos of the strippers. Strippers get them so often, you can really narrow down the date.
Lol
Was my thought process.
This is just basic science. Love it.
Duh, that is WHY he did it. Smart guy, don’t trade me then I will do everything to stay off the court. Temper tantrum, taking notes from fatty Trump. Smart!
Looks like Westbrook is 100% correct Harden only cares about himself and nothing else.
He apparently cares about strippers and rapper’s babies… at least a little bit. Don’t make him out to be a monster.
He also has a cool hat.
Some people don’t understand why I think he’s the container a feminine product might be in.
This story is becoming sad. Seems like this guy needs some help. Not because of strip club…but because it seems like he is sabotaging his career
He doing what’s best for his career. Getting out of Houston so maybe he can win a chip
He had chances to win a chip in Houston, but Chris Paul got hurt, he got Mchale fired, and he didn’t try to make it work with Howard, Cp3, and Russ by putting the team first via changing his game, his attitude, etc.
Key word is HAD. He can’t waste another 4 years there and then become a ring chaser
Thank you, Captain Obvious.
Don’t be mad cause ur city doesn’t have a legit credible championship in its history. Astros got an asterisk cause of the trashcan and rockets championship got asterisks cause Jordan wasn’t playing.
Er…he was playing in 1995. Bulls lost because they had no answer for Shaq.
What happened the next year? They had an answer? Luc Longley? Or was it cause Jordan was in 40 minutes basketball shape. They swept the magic and he scared shaq out of the East
Rodman.
Ok. Rodman was the reason they won not Jordan
Jordan wasn’t the reason they lost, either.
Shaq average in the series that Rodman “stopped” him. 28 ppg 9 rebounds. Jordan was gassed from the lay off. Comes back ready and sweeps shaq and penny. Jordan is was and will always be the reason they won. Hang ur hat on those 2 chips without him in the league but everybody even Hakeem knows what would have happened if he was in the league
Nonsense dude, nonsense!
Those are the facts. Deal with it. No credible championships in Houston. Ever. Period.
That’s your opinion and that’s fine. Just remember three things: 1. Credibility is subjective. 2. You won’t find a single player, past or present, that would discredit the Rockets championships like you have. Jordan himself would disagree with you. 3. “Thank God they can’t find their out of the west. We got no answer for the big guy” – a real quote from Jordan after playing the Rockets in a regular season game.
I’ve heard many people say Jordan would have 8 straight if he didn’t retire. Who was rockets answer for Jordan. Please say Clyde drexler I dare you.
Sam Perkins and Greg ostertag did enough to beat “ the big guy”
Find me a single player, past or present, who thinks the Rockets championships have no credibility and flat out says “they got astersiks by them”. I’ll wait. Who was Rockets answer for Hakeem. Please say Cartwright or Purdue or some one. I dare you. Just so you know, Jordan’s teammate Steve Kerr, some one Jordan can thank for a ring and no game 7, says no 8 in a row. Ostertag can thank Stockton for a buzzer beater. Hakeem beat Perkins and the Sonics in 97 in 7. Nice try.
Who was the Bulls answer for Hakeem*
Did he beat ostertag? No. Caught the L to the jazz in 97. Good answer for who would stop Jordan tho
You’re seriously using Ostertag as a way of discrediting the great Hakeem and Clutch City. Lol. Hakeem beat, Stockton in 94 and 95, the same Stockton who later beat the Rockets on a buzzer beater in 1997. Ostertag thank him for that. Hakeem was on his decline in 97. Lol. It’s actually on record that Vernon Maxwell went at Jordan. There’s your answer as to who guards Jordan and even then, he would only slow him down in 1994 and make him work. In 1995, dosesn’t matter who guards Jordan because no Grant or Rodman or any kind of solid or better rebounder = Rockets win in sweep due to Hakeem dominating on the boards. Still waiting for you to find me a single player, or present, who basically said the Rockets championships have asterisks by them and have zero credibility. You’ll find fans who have said but not actual players. Jordan is the GOAT, but like I said: any one who knows basketball wouldn’t discredit the Rockets championships. Sorry, buddy, but basketball was played before Jordan, after Jordan, and during Jordan’s break from the game. Lol.
Vernon maxwell lol. This dude
If ur point is Hakeem was more unstoppable than mj then u gtfoh
If you look it up, Vernon didn’t back down from Mike and no, my point about Hakeem is he is the main reason why the Rockets would’ve been a horrible match up for Chicago. All of the teams the Bulls faced in the finals? None of them were a bad match up for Chicago. However, more importantly than that, I asked you to find me a single player, past or present, that basically said the Rockets championships are not credible and they have asterisks by them. I’m still waiting and I’m gonna keep waiting because I know you can’t. Why? Because like I said: people who truly understand the game of basketball wouldn’t discredit those two championships and say they’re not credible or they have asterisks. Good try, dude.
Reminder: You can find a former Bulls teammate of Jordan saying Chicago wouldn’t win 8 in a row and not because of the Rockets. Watch the 90’s episode of Open Court. It’s on Youtube. Another reminder: Jordan himself didn’t feel like they could beat the Rockets. In fact, if you ask former Chicago Tribune writer and author of the book “The Jordan Rules”, Sam Smith, the Bulls were completely overmatched on the front court and Jordan would get his 35 but he would have to work his butt off to get it because of Vernon Maxwell harassing him like very few have done before. For the flak that Harden-Wrestbrook-whatever-guy gets, you should get the same flak because you really have no idea what you’re talking about.
Bro ur argument is as thin as ur last post
Whatever you say.
It definitely does seem that way. Maybe hes just tired of playing basketball and wants to take a few years off an enjoy himself at some establishments?? Who knows whats in the heart of another person.
Harden has a heart? That’s breaking news!
This is a bad look for the league, and Harden’s reputation is definitely taking a hit here. At the same time, I can understand why he would be doing what he’s doing. These antics obviously lower his trade value to the point where one could argue a trade would be more likely to happen. However, if I’m any of the 30 teams, there is absolutely zero chance I’m giving anything of value up for this clown show. Its a bad look for any team, and I would be very, very wary of having Harden around my younger, still very impressionable, players. NBA never lacks for drama, that’s for sure.
His reputation was already in tatters. This is some of the worst behavior I’ve ever seen from an all time great player
Wasn’t in tatters, but certainly is getting worse by the day. It’s still redeemable, however.
Also, I strongly disagree that Harden is anywhere near an all time great player. If you look at the stats, sure. Doesn’t mean he actually is an all time great player. Those usually single handedly lead their teams to at least a few finals
He is an all time great. Few have achieved what he has done. One of the top 5 scorers ever
Defense is half the game though.
Exactly. He’s lowering his trade value, but his salary is still the same, it still counts against the cap, and other teams are looking at this and saying “no”. I have no doubt this is why Miami pulled out. No good team is going to ship out enough assets to not only make the Rockets happy but also satisfy the cap requirements for this crap show.
He’s the Oliver Miller of shooting guards now. His gut is just embarrassing. Rockets have to kick this terd to the curb post haste. The players should revolt until he’s traded
Now that’s the throwback of references right there!
I am sure Harden is the only NBA player who was out at a bar or a nightclub without wearing a mask. The rest of them were all in bed by 9.
the smart ones don’t get caught.
I guess, I mean I don’t think a video of Javonte Green having a beer at Chili’s is going to get quite as many clicks.
At chilis only the tortilla chips are bottomless
I miss going there
All NBA strip club team. I’ll start it off…
Harden, Lou Williams…
Go.
James Worthy?
Ty “cakes on the low” Lawson
Patrick Ewing
Dennis Rodman.
this is the way he has always lived. It’s just more visible in the COVID era.
It’s about the current NBA protocol, not what he has done in the past prior to that protocol.
I wonder if next we’ll find him in DC partying with Dwayne Haskins
I was into Harden up until this year. Yes I look at him for Kevin being let go as coach some years back. Then Chris Paul mess and then Harden wants Westbrook then wants him gone and Harden decides he wants out. How much longer can his behavior go on. Can they just say go home and not pay him or such. Rockets right now I think are unsteady. New coach, GM, and players that have not played in a year or two due to injuries. Even PJ has no extension as of yet and teams are extending their players. But it is like every day Harden will be the talk. Is it good for team to have a season in turmoil because of Harden. Is it best to do something now rather than later like maybe trade deadline. If he is treating the team the way he is too like throwing ball at Tate. I thought we would have someone in Harden. But we already have two other sports teams in disarray. I want to be excited to watch these teams
Is there no contract clause that stipulates you will forfeit your pay if your actions are detrimental to the team (such as violating COVID protocol)? Instead of a fine, they can’t just take his pay away completely for the time he misses? If that were the case, other than the salary cap hit, the Rockets could basically sideline him with no effect to the team, and Harden loses his paychecks for as long as he continues to act like a TT-baby.
It’s in the article, perhaps you should read it.
“MacMahon adds that the NBA’s health and safety protocols state that “failure or refusal to comply with the protocols may subject players and team staff to disciplinary action by the NBA or his or her team which may include a warning, fine, and/or suspension.” (Twitter link) A suspension for Harden would cost him $284,517 per game, tweets Bobby Marks of ESPN.”
The point is to punish the guilty party, which is HOU not the innocent one, Harden!
He has earned every single cent of his contract, regardless if he plays or not!
The point is that HOU has no asking price, he is in the trade block, teams offers set his value… HOU mustn’t ever put a price on him, that is the most ridiculous idea ever… like if you wanna sell your house, is not you who sets the price, but the offers of the buyers they offer, then you sell or not… but in this case, clearly HOU has messed Harden too much to keep him, treating him sooo very bad, that they must letting him go… at this point for anything, right?
CP3 and Westbrook put in the work. All this man cares about is gentlemans clubs. Rockets are a disaster.
Strip club eh?
I had a Spanish teacher in High School tell all of us,
You have seen one, you have seen them all!!!
So what is the attraction? Especially these times of COVID
Well, Ron White disagrees.
He said that if you have seen one, then you still want to see all the rest.
I am paraphrasing because his comic timing is a lot better than mine.
Make sure you really zoom in on that stripper booty I’m sure the date is in there somewhere.
#FreeTheBeard
I wouldn’t trade for that whacko. He is killing any shot at being dealt.
Danny Ainge is not stupid enough to trade for James Harden unless Houston gives him away. If you think he can make a clutch shot you obviously have not watch basketball.
Steve Kerr was definitely the reason the bulls won lol
That’s all folks.
I really hope the Celtics don’t wind up trading Brown, Smart, draft picks And/or young players for him. As far as salary matching goes Brown and Smart essentially have to be included (or Tatum and that’s not happening). if there was a way to acquire him without giving up Brown — even with all the circus acts he’s been performing lately — I might still consider it. But I just really don’t think it’s worth giving up Brown (and more) especially given Harden’s age. The only one thing that they could get REALLY creative with is… they could theoretically acquire someone with their traded player exception making $27M — then turn around and flip that player and Smart for Harden. But at this point the Rockets are still demanding an all-star and picks… so unless the player acquired for the TPE is somehow also an all-star they can basically get for nothing… it wouldn’t be enough to get him. But personally that’s the ONLY way I’d want to consider Boston acquiring him. Otherwise KEEP Brown — he’s still getting better and after his performance tonight against the Bucks — who knows maybe he’s going to be even better than expected this year — if he can score close to 30PPG like tonight then he’s going to be in an entirely new tier of player — not saying he’s going to be able to keep it up. BUT having Heyward gone and Walker hurt — he may continue to get way more shots than he had been in prior seasons.