When the Brooklyn Nets executed the blockbuster trade for James Harden, not many were sure how the fit would work.
Three ball-dominant players in the same lineup? Three big egos? Three guys who have had some sort of combination of off-court issues/problems handling the media? What’s going to happen?
Well, here are the spark notes thus far: it’s been tremendous.
Harden is creeping into the MVP conversation with his unstoppable play over the last month and has helped propel the Nets with Kevin Durant on the shelf. There was also a smooth transition of power at the point guard position when Kyrie Irving essentially handed the role to Harden. The All-Star has been a vocal leader and has expressed his newfound happiness.
Started with the idea of talking to sources around the league about Steve Nash's upward trend but as is often the case the conversations turned toward James Harden's massive impact with #Nets. More here: https://t.co/QdviNxXjnG
— Mike Mazzeo (@MazzNYC) March 10, 2021
So why are we hearing this nonsense rumor right now? It really feels like the Rockets — or someone in the organization — is extremely bitter with the way everything ended.
Here’s what Forbes’ Mike Mazzeo heard from a league source:
"“In Houston, James would complain about everything to the team CEO (Tad Brown). He’s gotten high-level guys traded. The Rockets gave him too much control. But in Brooklyn, he’s not making it about himself. He’s been very humble and gracious, making plays for others. And he’s done a phenomenal job keeping himself in check.”"
Even if this were true, it hardly makes sense to compare his time in Houston to his brief stint with the Nets. For one, he’s in the best situation of his career! And it’s not even close! And wouldn’t you make your voice heard if you were one of the best players in the NBA only to watch your season come to a screeching halt every year because of the Golden State Warriors?
I don't know what's funnier Snyder throwing a press out after a timeout or Chris Paul running this ball down to get a steal. pic.twitter.com/TeM0brMFfL
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) March 8, 2021
The best the Rockets could do over the course of eight years is pair Harden with Chris Paul, who, though one of the best point guards of all time, is infamous for his lack of success in the postseason. As for the rest of Harden’s “supporting” cast while in Houston…
- Russell Westbrook (for one year)
- Eric Gordon
- Clint Capela
- Trevor Ariza
- PJ Tucker
- Ryan Anderson
- Patrick Beverley
- an aging Joe Johnson
- an aging Carmelo Anthony
Do we really need to continue? We’d complain too! Hell, LeBron James only got by the Warriors ONCE in four tries, and he had Irving, Kevin Love and an inimitable cast of veterans (Richard Jefferson, James Jones, Channing Frye).
Now that Harden’s finally got the support system he needs, which is already infinitely more impactful than anything he had in Houston, it’s clear why he may have had any sort of beef with the organization.
Maybe they should’ve just done a better job maximizing their time with one of the greatest scorers in the history of the sport.
Nets: James Harden sounds off on Antoine Walker and All-Star Game
James Harden claims that he "doesn't pay attention" to anything that is said by someone with "no credibility", which is an indictment of Antoine Walker.