It's really crazy to see what fans and the media are saying. It's literally the same situation that played out with CP3. I'm very interested to see how Harden looks a year removed from his injury this season. I think it's fair to give him that.
One thing Amare said that stood out is "If you bring in Mike D'antoni, what does that mean for Embiid?" Right, this is coming from someone that made his career from MDA offense, bigs don't like playing for MDA. It's an interesting theory that he threw these games to try and get Doc fired and get his guy in. I think that might be giving him too much credit, I just think he can't get past dudes anymore lol but maybe it has to do with being out of shape and not motivated to win these games because he doesn't like Doc. Wouldn't be the first superstar player that didn't like Doc.
I'm not sure it's just to get Doc fired. Judging from Embiid's comments after the game, the two do not get along at all. It's VERY possible that Harden simply got his fe fe's hurt by Doc, Embiid, and maybe other teammates criticizing him....so he just stopped trying. He did it here several times over the years. The primary reason he demanded CP3 be traded was that Harden didn't like CP3 criticizing him. He really seems to be the kind of person that will throw temper tantrums and just stop trying if facing criticism.
Harden didn't demand CP3 get traded. Just more fabrication to make Harden look bad. Y'all just like the national media just throwing **** out there.
Except CP3 didn't have a history of being out of shape or have questionable work ethic. Do you really think Harden is capable of a lifestyle change?
Forbes take on Harden Contract options this offseason https://www.forbes.com/sites/bryant...-james-hardens-next-contract/?sh=1fa6f2c2f894
Harden clearly needs to take better care of himself. If he can regain his Brooklyn weight and actually recovers from his hamstring there is no reason to believe he can't have a resurgence. People forget 11 months ago he was playing like an MVP and was the leader of Brooklyn. It's not a coincidence the "decline" happened with the hamstring injury just like CP3. Now whether Harden puts himself in shape this off-season that's nother story. But to say it can't be done and it's over hea washed etc that's just not a fair take.
LOL, he literally did. I didn't know that people were still lying for Harden all these years later. EVERYONE knew even back then that Harden was the one who forced CP3 out. Sorry guy, you can't re-write history simply because you are upset that Harden has made himself look bad with his b****assness the past several years.
I don't remember CP3 being nearly as bad as what we've seen from Harden recently. No one is saying it "can't" be done. They're saying it's unlikely to be done, and that's a fair take.
He did support the trade. He originally wanted to add Westbrook to the team without losing Paul. When Morey said that couldn't be done he was fine with CP staying. Our incredibly smart owner is the one who pushed the CP3 for Westbrook trade because CP had "the worst contract in basketball" Harden never wanted CP3 out.
I'm not interested in spin, no matter who is pushing it. To buy that BS, you'd have to ignore Harden's entire history before and after he forced CP3 off the team AND Harden's comments to the media IMMEDIATELY before he forced CP3 off the team.
Harden never had "it", the "it" which drives certain greats to win at all costs. I loved Houston Harden, but was frankly ready to move on after the 2018-2019 season. I could just tell it wasn't going to happen here.
You can support a trade but not want a person out. Harden isn't a bad teammate. He's not going to show support for a player coming in.
Sorry, but that's simply a bad take. If you can't even admit that Harden wanted to trade CP3 for Westbrook, then you're arguing in bad faith. And he's absolutely a bad teammate.
