James Harden has indicated that he’s willing to make things uncomfortable for the Sixers until he gets the trade he requested, but there were no incidents on his first day at training camp, according to Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
It was business as usual as Harden worked out with his teammates at Colorado State University. He skipped media day amid a public feud with president of basketball operations Daryl Morey and missed the first day of camp, but he was fully engaged Wednesday as he participated in drills.
Head coach Nick Nurse said Harden “looked good” and showed up in shape, and the expectation is that he will continue to fulfill his obligations to the team until his situation is resolved.
“He’s here. He knows the schedule, and we expect him to be there,” Nurse said. “I think we can wait and see on (where things go from here), but every indication is that he’s here (now).”
Speculation has been rampant about what Harden might do in an attempt to force his way out of Philadelphia. His trade demand, which was made when he picked up his $35.6MM option for this season in late June, is now more than three months old with no signs of traction on a deal with the Clippers, his preferred choice, or anyone else.
Harden believes he was deceived by the organization and specifically Morey, whom he called a liar during a public appearance in China this summer. Harden also vowed never to play for a team that was run by Morey, but it appears he may have no choice.
Harden left today’s practice before the media was allowed in, but teammates echoed Nurse’s sentiments. Harden didn’t address the team before practice or when he arrived in Colorado on Tuesday, but Tobias Harris said there was no need for an explanation.
“We’re all grown men here,” Harris said. “Everybody understands the business of the game of basketball at this point. Personally, he doesn’t have to address myself or anybody, truthfully.” But his participation, in my opinion, is addressing that. He’s here, and his attitude and energy today allowed everybody to understand that he wants to go out here and compete with us and get stuff done. In my opinion, that’s all, really, that matters, is his energy and effort towards myself and all our teammates.”
Unlike the team’s standoff with Ben Simmons two years ago, there are no hard feelings between Harden and any of his teammates, Bontemps adds. The organization has made overtures to ease the tension, including making a 25% salary payment to Harden two days earlier than it was due.
While the Sixers have to be relieved to see one of their stars back on the court and interacting with his coaches and teammates, the basic structure of the situation hasn’t changed. Harden still wants out and Morey seems determined to hold onto him unless he can get a return that keeps the team in title contention, so any good feelings from today aren’t guaranteed to last.
He plays to win…
Maybe, Herm Edwards give him a call and reminded him
YOU play to win the game
Maybe his Agent got through to him
If Harden just want to sign a max he has to go to the Spurs or Detroit… LAC can’t resign 3 max next offseason
The implosion will happen…sooner or later. Patience.
Nurse obviously misread the market to accept this job with a team probably trending down for at least this season. I wonder if other teams asked their stars and they didn’t want to have Nurse as coach and this ended up his only option?
So there is a story whenever there is drama and now on a day with zero drama that’s somehow a story too? Pick a lane. It’s clear they are desperate to milk clicks by posting stories about nothing.
Can’t believe he showed up ….
Can’t believe he’s in shape ….
I need to see a picture, video ….
Give it time…
If this Stephen A info about him talking himself out of a 4 yr max with the Rockets us legit… he has no one to blame but himself. Can’t blame Morey. He didn’t lie if this is the case. He didn’t bid against himself. He did right by the franchise. Year to Year vs hitching their wagons to Harden LT.