He's not allowed to address trade questions. They are all bait. There's no winning. He clearly isn't 100% sold on the team unless he does a 180 and signs the extension which would literally just end trade talks for a freaking year and guarantee that he gets the most money possible. $100 Million guaranteed to silence trade talks for a freaking season if you want to be here for now? Seems like an absolute no brainer because no contender will trade for him midseason unless they are falling below expectations.
No, there is no way that he can answer that question. If he says "yes" then there will be questions about whether he still wants to be traded, what is different, etc. If he says "no" then it only makes for more headlines. If Harden was 100% on board with the Rockets there would be reports saying that.
Yeah, he could have said "Just get better every day." or any other cliche. To mention specifically 'Top 3 seed' seems like the team is focused on that. If the Rockets are a solid top 3 seed then Harden will ball out and if not then maybe they will decide then to sit him and work on his trade. Which I think makes sense. My theory, Harden wasn't happy with a few of the moves made and he thinks the team isn't good enough (and thus wants to leave) and now he's in a "Well, we'll see if these moves were good or not but if not, I'm out of here 100%."
So how on earth can the team be unified and on one page? The whole team knows Harden doesn't wanna be there. So you're supposed to be a "team" and have each others backs with all this going on? I'm optimistic but this seems like a disaster season waiting to happen.
It's definitely an awkward situation. I agree, but I'm pretty sure they can get through this as long as James isn't mailing it in, which he isn't.
I don't care anymore - they are going to do whatever they do....if he is here, great, if he goes, fine get a good haul. DD
James Harden is actually very bright. Daryl Morey has alluded to it in the past indirectly and I remember Serge Ibaka saying he was his brightest teammate. His problem is that he is incredibly stubborn and he will "prove" he can do it his way. That is what happened with the reporting to camp and the very public birthday party.... Harden was making it clear to the Rockets that he would create and exercise leverage. Was it passive aggressive? Absolutely, but that is part of Harden's personality. I am not surprised to see Harden handle the media well and if you look at every question answered, it can apply to any team he is on... he uses terms like "always", so as to possibly, but not necessarily create distance with the Rockets. One thing I can say, since he has shown up he has handled the situation very well. That isn't a total shock as he is clearly someone that can segment his life, as there is the "basketball James" and the "party James".
It could be a disaster for a lot of reasons but it isn't the first time that a top player was mad at ownership or wanted to be traded. If you believe Phil Jackson star players usually had a lot of baggage and at the end of the day talent usually wins out. It isn't like Harden is being nasty, and he has by all accounts been practicing hard, working with teammates and coaches..... Also, assuming he isn't traded the questions will become less frequent and Harden may change his mind........
Bro, sometimes I get tricked into rage, didn't even notice the shoes were nike. I went straight to twitter for confirmation, LMAO!!
