Benching the entire starting unit 4 minutes into the game

This.
The agenda driven consternation over Harden's exit is ridiculous.
Much ado about nothing.

 

Fair enough. Most star players at least play hard 90% of the time though.

 

What's your problem? He wasn't playing hard, so coach brought him and everyone out. But you still have a whine like a little p***y, implying Harden needed to get on his knees and say he's sorry or something.

 

Well first let's be clear his reaction in a 10 second clip is not going to be evidence of anything, just a data point or sample that either supports existing beliefs or not.

Your initial assertion was "what else do you expect him to do?" I'm saying the narrative is already out there that harden is halfa$$ing it and doesn't feel the need to change that. The narrative is also that because of that he hasn't held himself accountable and that has a negative effect on the teams level of play.

You can say you don't think that narrative is out there. What I'm saying is this short clip will fit the narrative I believe to be out there already - that he won't hold himself accountable and is surprised when the coach does.

Which is why I'm saying it's not about whether he's happy and encouraging like bev to be benched, or if he should be mad JB for taking him out, or if he's just surprised he's a star level player being yanked. The reaction I know I'm looking for (and I think a least some other fans are) isn't one of "what? Why would you take me out? I'm the star." It's "man coach obviously thinks I'm not playing well, why on earth would be think that."

His posture says his focus is external (what is coach doing) rather than internal (what am I doing and what do I need to change).

 

The lengths some of our resident armchair psychologists are going to crucify James Harden over his "reaction" to JB's benching is downright amazing.

 

I also thinks it's going to be natural for a fanbase to continue seeing events like these through the lens of that narrative. The only way that changes is when harden does or says something to change that narrative. If came out for the rest of the season and laid it all I out there, this event would be seen as the moment he might have reacted stunned in the first 10 seconds of being benched, but made a change of heart after that. Until then, the narrative is still harden doesn't think he has to give 100% and is shocked when people suggest otherwise.

 

I assume you're referring to me....in which I don't know if you know....since I've said it before on this board....that is my profession. Which is just to say, yes it's part of my training and job to read body language and interpret meaning.

And I don't think its crucifying him to say his reaction is indicative of what attitude he's demonstrated all season. It doesn't mean he's worthless and we should trade him. It just means it's another indicator. Unfair as that maybe, until he changes his own narrative that's what kind of treatment a franchise player gets. That is why he gets the big bucks and the alpha role right?

 

Not you. Not anybody specifically. Just anybody thinking this is a bigger deal than it is.

Team came out flat. Coach benched them. It surprised and pissed them off, which was what it was supposed to do. They came back later and played better. The end.

 

I watched the clip and I feel like harden didn't know he was leaving the game and once he did know because smoove told him he left immediately. Maybe he mouthed off to jb but how the **** would we know

 

Shouldnt have took that long IMO

 

I see, yes I agree....it's not a big deal. It's not a significant event or game changer. We're talking about interpreting a single data point that has a minuscule effect on the overall course of the season. It'd be nice to think this single act in a single game by JB could shift the course the Harden and the season but I don't think that's realistic.

 

It's about the whole thing, but I guess people accept a guy just stand there baffled like he's offended..

 

These players consistently act like children when they play basketball. It makes sense to punish them like children. Cheers, JB.

 

First, harden honestly believes he is the best player in the nba....
While he has shown signs last year, he completely #\*# the bed this year.

Bev is the clear leader of this team, saving harens plays multiple times in that phx game. When he was being pulled he knew what was NEEDED and did it, with a cherry on top (motivating second group)

Instead of "me?! No way! It cant be me?? Im the best player!!"

If you support haren in that sequence, then you support him staying a bum the entire game. Jb chopped it from the go and let him know we arent tanking tonight.

Its funny but thats what it is basically, a player we know who can maintain mvp level play is playing as lazy as his second year here. What proves my point even more is how since smoove arrived hes been showing signs of last years play. Which means he is choosing to play bad...

 

If you've ever played, and if you were one of the better players on your team, James' reaction is understandable. I don't see it being "entitled." I view it as a fierce competitor ,who truly believes he is the best possible option on his team, trying to win a game. And, in many cases, we've seen that to be true. To be fair, James does have some maturing to do, but I don't think his immediate reaction to the benching was extraordinary. He's still learning how to be a leader. He'll get there.

I'm sure many of us anticipated his disapproval as it happened. You could even see The Glue (Trevor) notice it while in the game, and he gave a subtle, yet noticeable movement of frustration.

Either way, it was a great move by JB to give the game a different energy. That happens all the time in basketball;One group doesn't have the best chemistry against a specific team for a variety of reasons, including matchups, different levels of energy, or simply, the shots just aren't going in for everyone on the floor. Ty, and of course, CB, came in and played very well. That was arguably one of Ty's best games as a Rocket.

Once he cooled down and analyzed the decision, I think James recognized that the benching wasn't personal, and that he and JB had the same desire, in terms of winning the game. He started to support his teammates as he normally does.The ONLY thing that was concerning was how long it took James to get his mind right once he returned to the floor.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Trevor CALL JAMES OUT for not giving him a dap after he made the free throw? That's why I like Trevor, and in many cases, he is the leader on this team, but it's not through his constant speaking. It's through his effort and non-verbal support of his teammates. I feel like he and Jet, and now with JSmoov, really keep our guys going.

At least we don't have the coach/player relationship going on in SacTown. My God, the stuff I'm hearing about that locker room is an alternate version of the JAILBlazers era...just an absolute mess.

JB's kept the energy pretty dang positive from what we can see, and he's managing the egos of two very,very strong personalities.

 

J.B. should've done it here as well..

 

Harden is keeping us in this game. Even his misses are looking good.

I'm glad they pulled Bev though, he was being stupid for no reason. Why do some players go after a dead ball so aggressively?

 

Not Harden, the whole starting 5 except for Ariza.