On Tuesday morning, Ben Simmons had his introductory press conference with the Brooklyn Nets, and shortly after, James Harden and Paul Millsap were introduced in Philadelphia.
Hours after Harden addressed the media for the first time, he rang the bell at the Wells Fargo Center before the Sixers took on the Celtics in what turned out to be a 135-87 loss. Ouch. Maybe it was an omen about what Harden’s future will look like with his new team.
Ultimately, we’re glad that the trade is over and that both Simmons and Harden got what they wanted. And according to Harden, he wanted to be in Philadelphia all along.
That was one of the few shots that Harden took at Brooklyn on Tuesday. Let’s take a look at two of Harden’s most questionable quotes from his introductory press conference with the Sixers.
2 questionable quotes from James Harden’s press conference with Sixers.
2: On what Harden is excited about
Towards the end of the conference, Harden was asked about the power that Harden and other star players in the league hold to be able to get out of situations that they don’t want to be in.
Harden addressed his situation and said:
"“It’s a time where I needed to be around guys that I know want to win, and know that they are willing to do whatever it takes to win, and the structure here is unbelievable,” Harden said. “The opportunity to win is now. Joel is playing the best he’s ever played. So my job is to come out there and help him and help the entire team win a championship this year and in years going forward.”"
It’s no secret that Harden has an active nightlife. According to Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer, Harden traveled back to Houston for “a night of clubbing” after he posted a triple-double (37p/11a/10r) against San Antonio on Jan. 21 in a 117-102 win. Two nights later in Minnesota, Harden scored 13 points (4-of-13) in a 136-125 loss to the Timberwolves.
There’s no question that Harden is an elite talent but, to be honest, he didn’t always do whatever it took to win with the Nets.
1: On why Harden wanted to be in Philadelphia
The first question that was directed to Harden was a two-parter and read, “Why did you want out of Brooklyn? And why did you want Philadelphia to be your destination?”
"“Originally, when I was going through everything I was going through in Houston, Philly was my first choice,” he said. “It just didn’t happen. I don’t really want to get into the Brooklyn situation. I just knew for a very long time this was a perfect fit. Obviously you have the best big man in the league in Joel (Embiid), and then obviously the coaching.”"
His answer to the question was particularly odd, considering that two months before Harden was traded to the Nets, he made it known that he wanted to go to Brooklyn.
Sources: After turning down an extension offer to become the first $50M a year player in league history, James Harden’s message to Houston is clear: Get me to Brooklyn. Rockets and Nets have been in contact, but there’s been no meaningful dialogue. https://t.co/qwJOQOxz5U
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 17, 2020
Hmm. We’re confused.
His unhappiness with the Nets was evident. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Adrian Wojnarowski, he was trying to find a way out of Brooklyn at the start of the 2021-22 season but he was too afraid to request a trade for the second time in consecutive seasons.
However, it seems far-fetched for Harden to say that he wanted to be with the Sixers from the start.
But alas, what’s done is done, although the drama has just begun. In 22 days, Brooklyn will travel to Philadelphia to face Harden for the first time since the trade. It’s going to be a long ride.
3 takeaways from Ben Simmons’ first press conference with Nets
The morning after the Brooklyn Nets snapped their 11-game losing streak, Ben Simmons spoke with the media for the first time since the trade.