All-Star guard James Harden wasn’t in the mood after Monday’s practice to discuss whether his views of the Houston Rockets had changed.
Harden reportedly asked for a trade this offseason, based largely on his apparent skepticism that he can win an NBA title in Houston. While the Rockets had a strong preseason, including a 2-0 record with Harden and a sensational debut by emerging big man Christian Wood, “The Beard” wasn’t yet ready to make any kind of declaration about the future.
Here’s how one noteworthy exchange went:
Adam Spolane: “James, now that you’ve been in [training] camp for about a week, do you feel any better about this situation now than you did before you arrived?”
Harden: “Next question.”
The video: https://t.co/HawkCkqVLp pic.twitter.com/xjWbRVjugE
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 21, 2020
For context, Harden frequently ignored or reframed parts of questions that referred to or hinted at his alleged desire to be traded. Rather than discuss that storyline, the 31-year-old opted to discuss day-to-day updates on basketball activities for himself and his Houston teammates.
“You keep talking about what I missed,” said Harden, asked about the impact of his delayed arrival in Houston. “I think the entire league is in catch-up mode because of the shortened training camp.”
Harden, who had positive things to say about teammates such as Wood, John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins, then set a goal of a “top three seed” in the Western Conference for his Rockets.
“My expectations never change,” said Harden, asked about his goals for the 2020-21 season. “Individually, be the best basketball player in the world. As a team, try to get a top three seed and give yourself a chance.”
James Harden on his expectations this season: "My expectations never change. Individually, be the best basketball player in the world. As a team, try to get a top three seed and give yourself a chance." https://t.co/yR3PHcESEQ pic.twitter.com/UF3sFOP34J
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 21, 2020
Harden said the Rockets have “been going pretty hard” at training camp scrimmages in recent days. Per head coach Stephen Silas, Houston’s starting lineup for Wednesday’s regular-season opener versus Oklahoma City is likely to be Harden, Wall, Danuel House Jr., PJ Tucker, and Wood.
Extended highlights from Harden’s Monday afternoon media availability session at Toyota Center can be viewed below.
James Harden on revamped team: "It's a fairly new team. There's only a few of us left… This training camp and preseason has been good since I've been here and guys are working extremely hard. From practice to games, the carryover's been great. And that's all you can ask for." pic.twitter.com/wGHn8gxhEw
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 21, 2020
James Harden on John Wall: "His playmaking ability is very, very good. He's getting guys shots, he's getting into the paint, he's drawing pressure at the rim which allows everybody to get shots." pic.twitter.com/PY1ngsAp2C
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 21, 2020
James Harden on Christian Wood: "Very athletic. Uses his length very well. Can shoot the basketball. Can handle it and make a play. He's very versatile as a big. It's a nightmare matchup for natural centers who are closing out to him or trying to guard him one-on-one." pic.twitter.com/gfOvGnqeM1
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 21, 2020
