In the past week or so, the questions about the Houston Rockets and James Harden have swirled and gotten louder: does the superstar guard want out? Even if he wants to stay, is it time to deal him anyway? Is he completely disgruntled with the franchise?
The day after his first preseason game with the Rockets, ESPN published a story reporting on problems within the franchise involving Harden and the way he’s been given what feels like preferential treatment over the years. Couple that with the recent footage of Harden partying with rapper Lil Baby in Atlanta and spending time in Las Vegas while the Rockets waited for him to report and … it paints the same picture that Harden and Houston are far from being on the same page.
James Harden finally spoke with reporters on Wednesday and was asked about his trips:
Video of the full exchange w/ @espn_macmahon https://t.co/Qn46YkPb0B pic.twitter.com/joGDAnmsqo
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 16, 2020
He was asked about new GM Rafael Stone, and the disconnect we’ve seemingly seen between Harden and the franchise is still there:
I asked James Harden if he has the same trust in Rafael Stone as he did in Daryl Morey: "We haven't had a conversation.." pic.twitter.com/oRTSfbGJOR
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 16, 2020
He denied there was what was going on with him was a distraction:
James Harden says he doesn't believe his situation is a distraction pic.twitter.com/op5LhzL51u
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 16, 2020
And head coach Stephen Silas seems fed up with all the Harden questions:
Stephen Silas is officially tired of the Harden questions pic.twitter.com/WWsnJZmLjB
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) December 16, 2020
This just furthers what we’ve seen over the past week: the relationship between the Rockets and Harden has splintered and it may be too late to repair it.
