It has been nearly a month since word broke that the Nets had reached a deal to acquire James Harden, a move that was preceded by a press conference in which the former MVP declared that the Rockets were just “not good enough” and that he didn’t believe the situation in Houston could be fixed.
In a sit-down interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols (video link), Harden reflected on his actions during the weeks leading up to his exit from Houston, from his trade request to his late arrival at training camp to that final press conference. He admitted that the way his last month or two with the Rockets played out isn’t how he envisioned his eight-year tenure with the franchise ending.
“I don’t like it at all, because that’s not who I am,” Harden said. “The drama, the extra — whatever you want to call it, the negativity. I don’t really like negative energy, it’s draining. I don’t like how it necessarily happened. I feel like it could have happened a lot smoother, a lot easier, but it is what it is.”
While Harden would’ve preferred a cleaner break with the Rockets, he also told Nichols that he wouldn’t necessarily want to go back and do things differently, since the outcome was ultimately the one he wanted.
“I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful, I wasn’t trying to be selfish. I feel like the front office knew where I stood and what I wanted,” Harden said. “I apologize for how it went down, but I guess I had to do what I had to do in order to get to where I wanted to go.”
When Harden’s trade request first broke in November, he was said to be focused on getting to the Nets. The Sixers were later reported as a favorable landing spot, and he eventually added several more teams to his wish list, but he told Nichols that he appreciated the Rockets being able to work out a trade that sent him to the destination he preferred from the start.
“Credit to Houston. They didn’t necessarily have to trade me to Brooklyn,” Harden said. “They could’ve traded me anywhere, but those are some stand-up guys over there. It ended up the right way. I just didn’t like how that month or two played out.”
Bye Felicia. Weird how the people that talk about how much they hate negativity seem to be surrounded by it constantly.
Edit – As a Rockets fan I liked how it played out. Showed everyone in Houston your true colors (and most still defended you on the way out).
Rockets did everything they could to appease the man, and he still backstabbed them. This is why you don’t try to be friends with your employees because they’ll walk over you when they don’t get what they want. Players have far too much control thanks to how lebron has handled himself publicly over the years. This appears to be the new norm.
I agree with that. That Bron has given the star baller a bigger voice. And not all really deserve it or use it well. Never liked Harden cause he was a 1way player. Great offensive player but chooses Not to play D. Plays D when he wants to. He dogged Houston cause their GM let him get away with it. If you sign the wrong max player. It could could be a rough ride.
I am more interested in Oladipo trade
Every trade is cost saving
I don’t believe Rockets are able to get a future First for Dipo
For Redick and Dipo
I don’t look at career average stats but this season stats
They may still get a first for him, depending on the team. If you’re thinking the Knicks, then maybe not… or something further down the road?
I mean the guy wanted out. He gave everything he had and clearly the team wasn’t good enough to compete for a title this year. They could have traded him sooner to avoid this whole thing.
If I were a HOU fan I’d be more mad about the owner Fertitta. Dude bought the team at their peak, 1 win away from beating the best team of this generation. Then he doesn’t want to spend over the luxury tax and the team progressively gets worse.
Not saying harden handled it properly but I think it’s unfair to solely blame him for the situation.
I do think Fertitta sucks but the reason Houston never won was because of Harden. He shot 17-56 in games 6 and 7 in 2018 which is consistent with his other efforts in big moments in other years.
Who cares? Its over. Stop trying to fix a bridge that you soaked in gasoline and torched all on your own. Don’t be a Durant about it….just go.
Harden has an ego the size of the Grand Canyon. Mediocre talent who shrinks in playoffs, didn’t like to be the guy because he would be criticized for not getting it done. Goes to a team with 2 bigger lightening rods so he can avoid criticism. Dudes a coward and a liar.
Ego is big for sure, but he is super talented.
“I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful. I wasn’t trying to be selfish.”
Your play and attitude on the court said otherwise.
“I didn’t want to act like a childish brat who had to pout so much and throw such ugly tantrums. But it is what it is.”
That’s what I read from his comments. There is no better way for James Harden. He can’t have regrets when he gets what he wanted. He’s working on make his current situation the best it can be and there’s nothing left for him to regret or worry about. What happened is in the past and the people who want to dwell on that and how hurt they are still must be sorry sacks of sh** he doesn’t give a whit about.
Not really. What is wrong with certain fans not liking Harden? And why do you care if they dislike him for being poor teammates? Why do YOU dwell on their feelings toward him?
Also, it’s still being talked about because—spoiler alert—that was the topic of this article. Most of us who dislike Harden hardly think about him on a day-to-day basis, but when the topic would be brought up again what else do you expect?
he was in houston for a long time and hes an excellent player could been more tactful but karmas a batch, beard
I am surprised he more or less admitted to producing antics that would force a trade sooner than later. Even complimented & thanked the suits in Houston. Pretty classy really. For owning it.
What is the point of apologizing for your actions if you say you would do the same thing if you could do it all over again? That’s not an apology.
I agree. Its as arbitrary as, “this is business, not personal”. Its always personal…
He is just a spoiled punk, that does whatever he wants without consequences.
The Beard was the victim in all of this, but people likes to hate on the super talented, that’s for sure!
I mean he has given it all for HOU for 8 years, he deserves & has earned the right to say, look guys this years team sucks (which is true) I had enough, I want out of here… HOU if they were classy, would have said, yeah mon, you right, this is a mess not fit for you & let him go, looking good for the fans.
But no, they refuse his trade request, which force him to do what he had to do to be freed, so all his antics were forced upon him by HOU… so y’all can hate him for that, but boy, he has earned my respect for standing up to a classless organization & doing the right thing, he stood up for his rights!
Doing the right thing, there is no need to apologize for, right?
I’ll have some of what your having my guy
Just having a big serving of common sense… I do realize that common sense is actually a rarity around here… but hey, someone has to, right?
Don’t know what you see in this guy. I’ve watched him since college. He is a 1way star. Ego maniac and selfish. Those are not good qualities for a team sport bro. I would rather spend my money elsewhere.
The people who say such things tend to be lacking in it the most. Just sayin’ :)
You realize he’s the reason the team was built that way? He ran the organization and didn’t like it when someone put a stop to it. He’s not a victim at all.
Honestly who cares at this point, he’s on the Nets now. What, does Houston get a higher draft pick for sympathy? As long as Harden plays well he can go wherever he wants. Reputation doesn’t matter when you put up points like he does. Not like he killed a guy. He requested a trade. Big whoop.
I was the Rockets, I would’ve traded him to the Pistons or Timberwolves for being a douche and an ass.
Well you’re not, and they didnt. More importantly, is he a douche or an ass? Now he can’t be both. I’ll wait…
If he don’t win in Bklyn. They will douche him in the
A ….
Ah yes, the ole Alabama Hot Pocket