James Harden was warned about his lack of commitment to the NBA back in 2019 - and following his latest attempts to leave another franchise, that warning appears to be ringing true.
The 34-year-old is one of the greatest scorers in the history of the game and took the meaning of isolation basketball to another level during his time with the Houston Rockets. While he has produced some excellent performances on the court throughout his career, the 10-time All-Star has developed a reputation for trying to force his way out of a team when he no longer wants to play there.
Before his trade demands began, American sports personality Colin Cowherd blasted Harden for his lack of commitment and claimed he would never have a jersey retired like the late great Kobe Bryant, who was renowned for his dedication to basketball. “Let’s talk commitment, does commitment matter? I think Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] was committed to the sport, I think Wilt was, I think Jordan was as committed as any player in NBA history,” Cowherd said.
“Harden had his jersey retired at a Houston strip club, Kobe has two retired at Staples. Kobe was the best practice player ever, and I am told Magic Johnson would tell you ‘it ain’t close’. Kobe Bryant in commitment is the most relentless practice player, the most intense off-camera performer.
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“Harden, on the other hand, was traded by OKC for doubts over his commitment, and he showed that by turning up at a strip club in Houston an hour after being eliminated in a Play-Off series. I don’t need to compare him to the greatest, because he doesn’t even come close to one player, Kobe Bryant.”
Harden was very successful in Houston where he won three consecutive scoring titles and the 2018 NBA MVP award. But his relationship with the franchise eventually soured and he forced his way to the Brooklyn Nets in 2021 to play with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Big things were expected from the trio, but due to injuries and controversies such as Irving's stance on the coronavirus vaccine, they played only 18 games together and failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Harden then wanted to leave and managed to find his way to the Philadelphia 76ers at the 2022 trade deadline, where he would reunite with Daryl Morey, his general manager from his time at the Rockets.
Harden looks set to miss the start of the regular season with the 76ers after he missed practice and did not play a single preseason game (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)Three months after a crushing exit from the 2023 NBA Playoffs at the hands of the Boston Celtics, Harden shocked the world with his comments about Morey during a promotional event in China. “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organisation that he’s a part of,” he said. “Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organisation that he’s a part of.”
Part of Harden’s complaint stems from his belief he should have been offered a long-term contract with the Sixers after last season. As he did not get it, he wants to be traded. The LA Clippers are his preferred destination but with no agreement between the teams taking place, and no other franchises making any offers, the guard looks to be stuck with the Eastern Conference franchise.
Harden showed up to training camp two days late, missed practice last week and did not play in any preseason games, further indications of his desire to end his time with the Sixers. The franchise is now prepared to begin the regular season without the disgruntled star. The 76ers face the Milwaukee Bucks in their first game of the campaign in the early hours of Friday, October 27.
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