In the wake of Tuesday’s postgame outburst and a report of trade talks picking up, the Houston Rockets practiced without superstar James Harden on Wednesday at Toyota Center.
“We felt it was best for James and best for the group for James to not come to practice today,” Silas said after Wednesday’s practice. Houston (3-6) travels to San Antonio (6-5) later in the day for Thursday night’s game, likely without their team leader in points and assists.
“There has to be some sort of resolution, whether it’s a complete buy-in at some level, or some other way to get it taken care of,” said Silas, presumably alluding to the potential of trading Harden elsewhere.
Stephen Silas says James Harden did not practice with the team today. pic.twitter.com/z3fhh6eh0z
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 13, 2021
Silas referenced going through a “sleepless night” after Tuesday’s outburst, and he said he spoke with Harden earlier Wednesday — though he said the details of that conversation would remain confidential.
Silas did say that he disagreed with Harden’s postgame assessment that the Rockets “just aren’t good enough.”
“That’s hard to hear, especially when you don’t believe it and you know it not to be true,” Silas said at Wednesday’s practice.”
Silas noted that the team remains in communication with Harden and hopes to have an answer soon regarding his status with the team. At this point, all signs point to a trade, likely to Brooklyn or Philadelphia.
Stephen Silas asked if the situation can be fixed if James Harden is still on the team: “That’s a good question. I’m not really sure..You want everybody on the same page. You want everybody to be committed to each other.” pic.twitter.com/uUHNMGTgPX
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 13, 2021
What did #Rockets HC Silas think when Harden said the team wasn’t good enough? “It’s hard to hear especially when you don’t believe it.” (More in video below) @SportsTalk790 pic.twitter.com/9AeA6pywaH
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) January 13, 2021
