SOURCE SPORTS: James Harden Blasts Reports of His In-Season Behavior with Sixers: ‘Y’all Gotta Chill’
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James Harden does not like the stories that were released about him over the past couple of days. Hitting Instagram, Harden released an Instagram story blasting the main report from ESPN.
“Y’all gotta chill wit these reports,” Harden wrote. “Imma start reporting shit.”
Harden has openly expressed his desire to be traded from the Sixers, claiming the Los Angeles Clippers are his preferred landing spot.
In a new story on ESPN, Senior Writer Ramona Shelburne details a rocky season in the city of Brotherly Love, where some of his behavior put off then-coach Doc Rivers and Harden’s teammates.
In mid-December, Rivers lit into Harden for taking the final three shots in regulation of a double-overtime loss to the young and lottery-bound-again Rockets, sources said. It wasn’t that Rivers didn’t trust Harden to take the final three shots — he had allowed him to run the offense and call his own number on the final play of regulation by not calling a timeout following a defensive rebound. It’s that the Rockets had no answer for Embiid (39 points) all night and Harden wasn’t shooting well (4-for-19).
When questioned in the film session, Harden demurred, saying he just couldn’t get the ball to Embiid, sources said. These flare-ups between Harden and Rivers continued throughout the season.
– ESPN
After dropping back-to-back games to East contenders, Harden took an early flight to Miami, separate from the team, to enjoy nightlife. The move was stated to be a common practice for Harden but did not sit well with his teammates. A team meeting followed, leading to a win against the HEAT but a run that would include another second-round playoff ousting and Rivers being fired. The main reason Rivers is tossed is believed to be because Harden didn’t want to play for him in the future.
The NBA has fined James Harden $100,000 for August 14 and 17 comments against Daryl Morey and calling for a trade. The NBA’s note states Harden’s comments lead to believe he would not perform under his contract unless he plays for a team different than the Philadelphia 76ers.
The NBA revealed they investigated Harden, including an interview, before arriving at their final decision.
Earlier this month, the Philadelphia 76ers called off all trade talks involving James Harden and stated they would expect Harden to be at training camp. Early Monday morning, NBA Insider Shams Charania shared a video from Harden’s China tour for Adidas in which he blasts 76ers president Daryl Morey. Morey and Harden have a relationship dating back to the Houston Rockets.
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden told those gathered. “Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”
On Saturday, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski ended trade talks for Harden, who has a preferred destination of the Los Angeles Clippers. Harden picked up his $35.6 million player option but the Sixers’ request for Harden was too high for most bidders.
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