All-Star guard James Harden reported to Toyota Center on Tuesday to begin COVID-19 testing, per Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas.
Harden has been away from the team after an offseason trade request that has yet to be granted. Silas said Monday that there was “no timetable” for a return, which made his Tuesday arrival welcome news.
Here’s what Silas told reporters after Tuesday’s practice:
I am aware that he was getting his test today here in Houston. That’s pretty much all I know right now. Him getting tested in Houston is good for everybody.
Him being here shows a level of commitment to what we have going, and what we have going forward. And that’s that.
Stephen Silas says James Harden's arrival (a few days late) to training camp shows he is committed to the Rockets
"Him being here shows a level of commitment to what we have going and what we have going forward and that's that." pic.twitter.com/TU8qyiTgyL
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 8, 2020
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, NBA players have to register at least three consecutive days of negative tests before they can join their teammates for group activities. As such, with Houston’s first preseason game looming Friday night in Chicago and travel required to get there, Silas said he wasn’t yet sure whether Harden would be available.
“The protocol book is thick,” said Silas, who said he did not yet know specifics. “Just to have him in the building is good.”
As a first-year head coach with a new system, Silas expects a learning curve for Harden after missing the start of training camp. However, he expects the perennial MVP finalist to figure it out. “Elite players have a way of learning fast, and fitting in, and making everybody else better.”
Stephen Silas' opening remarks on James Harden arriving in Houston: "Him getting tested in Houston is good for everybody… We're doing things a little bit differently [on the court], but he's an elite player. Elite players have a way of learning fast." pic.twitter.com/ESKoMmpyel
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 8, 2020
Veteran teammate Gerald Green had a smilar assessment. “James is a once-in-a-lifetime player,” Green said after practice. “He can go into any kind of offense and pick it up. He’ll be able to fit in quite well.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, Silas said he had yet to speak to Harden since his arrival. However, that should change in the near future.
Stephen Silas on if there's been an erosion of trust with James Harden: "The NBA isn't roses everyday. There's going to be issues…. The good thing that I have here and one of the reasons that I was so excited to get this job is we're not in a rebuilding situation" pic.twitter.com/bBQ1FUkzOt
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 8, 2020
