Harden-watch 2020

[MrDollarBills]

What a loser.
Forcing his way out and risking the safety of those around him while he does.

Do not want.

Exactly.

I'm literally fearing for my parents' lives up here while this ass hole is out and about down there taking things like a joke. I'm 100% fine with what we have.

[MGrand15]

Rich people have generally been living a different life than normal people during COVID so I'm pretty much unbothered by the party pictures at this point.

Harden doing it this close to training camp - knowing he's going to be in contact with other players and coaches and refs - is VERY low. Very different than the usual secluded celebrities doing whatever. Wonder if the league is going to punish him.

[ecuhus1981]

This has nothing to do with maturation. It had to do with desperation.

James knows that his legacy is at stake, and as long as he's anchored to Tillman and Houston, it's a sinking ship.

I don't think that sitting at a crowded table without a mask is a smart decision, but the (ostensibly) irrational gambit of forcing the Rockets' hand is at least understandable. I've never been incredibly high or low on Harden, and I am not just speaking in his defense because I want him to come here. I do, but the rationale stands regardless.

[MrDollarBills]

This has nothing to do with maturation. It had to do with desperation.

James knows that his legacy is at stake, and as long as he's anchored to Tillman and Houston, it's a sinking ship.

I don't think that sitting at a crowded table without a mask is a smart decision, but the (ostensibly) irrational gambit of forcing the Rockets' hand is at least understandable. I've never been incredibly high or low on Harden, and I am not just speaking in his defense because I want him to come here. I do, but the rationale stands regardless.

He could have simply refused to show up. Instead, he does this?

I have zero tolerance for people that behave like this. I know people who are in the ground right now because of covid. **** him and anyone who defends him.

[Stone]

I agree, this is sneaky passive aggressive behavior.....and definitely reckless.

[ecuhus1981]

This has nothing to do with maturation. It had to do with desperation.

James knows that his legacy is at stake, and as long as he's anchored to Tillman and Houston, it's a sinking ship.

I don't think that sitting at a crowded table without a mask is a smart decision, but the (ostensibly) irrational gambit of forcing the Rockets' hand is at least understandable. I've never been incredibly high or low on Harden, and I am not just speaking in his defense because I want him to come here. I do, but the rationale stands regardless.

He could have simply refused to show up. Instead, he does this?

I have zero tolerance for people that behave like this. I know people who are in the ground right now because of covid. **** him and anyone who defends him.

I feel you, MDB, and honestly, I'm similarly militant about limiting exposure risk during this pandemic.

Perhaps it isn't some "crazy like a fox" 3-D chess move, perhaps it was just willfully ignorant and irresponsible of James. I'm giving him a ton of benefit of the doubt, in saying that it's similar to a tethered animal chewing of its paw for freedom. Maybe it's just about chicken wings and titties.

[MrDollarBills]

This has nothing to do with maturation. It had to do with desperation.

James knows that his legacy is at stake, and as long as he's anchored to Tillman and Houston, it's a sinking ship.

I don't think that sitting at a crowded table without a mask is a smart decision, but the (ostensibly) irrational gambit of forcing the Rockets' hand is at least understandable. I've never been incredibly high or low on Harden, and I am not just speaking in his defense because I want him to come here. I do, but the rationale stands regardless.

He could have simply refused to show up. Instead, he does this?

I have zero tolerance for people that behave like this. I know people who are in the ground right now because of covid. **** him and anyone who defends him.

I feel you, MDB, and honestly, I'm similarly militant about limiting exposure risk during this pandemic.

Perhaps it isn't some "crazy like a fox" 3-D chess move, perhaps it was just willfully ignorant and irresponsible of James. I'm giving him a ton of benefit of the doubt, in saying that it's similar to a tethered animal chewing of its paw for freedom. Maybe it's just about chicken wings and titties.

Garrett Temple is currently in the hospital with Covid in Chicago, meanwhile this ass hole is partying in Vegas and where ever else.

I can't even fathom what goes through some people's heads. Look at what happened to Karl Anthony Towns, this guy lost his mother and 5 other relatives since March. You hear his story, you see what happened to everyone else and to see those pictures of Harden clubbing like that...it's just infuriating.

And then what, he's going to just stroll into Rockets training camp after clearly being exposed? So he's willingly putting other people's safety at risk as well.

I get his beef with Rockets ownership. I really do. But this?

Adam Silver should suspend him for being in violation of league protocol. Make a clear example that there is zero tolerance for this. If he doesn't, then it sets a terrible precedent.

[MrDollarBills]

Read on Twitter

what is wrong with this guy?

[Hello Brooklyn]

Harden is acting like an idiot. This makes me question whether I even want him on the team anymore.

We have a group full of professionals ready to go for the season. We don't need this drama. Time to move forward.

[vincecarter4pres]

I’m not defending it, condoning it, etc., but at this point this is basically just Harden telling the Rockets, **** it, you don’t want to trade me to Brooklyn, I’m literally going to make it so I’m not even allowed at team facilities or with the team due to Covid protocol.

Eventually he’ll be fined and suspended by the NBA in all likelihood for violating their league-wide protocol though.

[Paradise]

I’m not defending it, condoning it, etc., but at this point this is basically just Harden telling the Rockets, **** it, you don’t want to trade me to Brooklyn, I’m literally going to make it so I’m not even allowed at team facilities or with the team due to Covid protocol.

Eventually he’ll be fined and suspended by the NBA in all likelihood for violating their league-wide protocol though.

Bingo!

Harden’s mom aka his manager:

”He asked for a chance at a ring. He’s doing the best for his career.”

Read on Twitter

[Hello Brooklyn]

I’m not defending it, condoning it, etc., but at this point this is basically just Harden telling the Rockets, **** it, you don’t want to trade me to Brooklyn, I’m literally going to make it so I’m not even allowed at team facilities or with the team due to Covid protocol.

Eventually he’ll be fined and suspended by the NBA in all likelihood for violating their league-wide protocol though.

I think it makes it less likely that they trade him here. More likely that we see a Spurs scenario where they just send him off to the highest bidder.

I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up on the Pacers or something.

I don't think we should be involved in this drama anymore. Would rather focus on building chemistry with the team we have.

[MGrand15]

Harden is acting like an idiot. This makes me question whether I even want him on the team anymore.

We have a group full of professionals ready to go for the season. We don't need this drama. Time to move forward.

Yeah, he already had character question marks behind the scenes. This is next level bad.

[StepBackCrack]

This has nothing to do with maturation. It had to do with desperation.

James knows that his legacy is at stake, and as long as he's anchored to Tillman and Houston, it's a sinking ship.

I don't think that sitting at a crowded table without a mask is a smart decision, but the (ostensibly) irrational gambit of forcing the Rockets' hand is at least understandable. I've never been incredibly high or low on Harden, and I am not just speaking in his defense because I want him to come here. I do, but the rationale stands regardless.

Agree with this. Harden is going to such lengths due to how stubborn their awful owner is. No other explanation. He would never behave this bad in a team he likes playing. I'm not too worried about his behavior if he gets to another team he likes. He is actually very likable player among most NBA players from what I heard.

[StepBackCrack]

If I made a whole franchise relevant for near a decade and the ownership of the team decides to waste the rest of my prime on not a serious contender at all, then yeah I would be beyond pissed as well. While I think what he is doing is pretty reckless, it's pretty understandable at the same time imo. I still want Harden to be a Net if it's possible. I'm not worried about his behavior at all because he will be happy in another team that is a real contender.

[MrDollarBills]

If I made a whole franchise relevant for near a decade and the ownership of the team decides to waste the rest of my prime on not a serious contender at all, then yeah I would be beyond pissed as well. While I think what he is doing is pretty reckless, it's pretty understandable at the same time imo. I still want Harden to be a Net if it's possible. I'm not worried about his behavior at all because he will be happy in another team that is a real contender.

I think Harden has every right to want out. Players get traded without any say so I think he has the right to demand a trade since the situation isn't working anymore for him.

But what he is doing is not only disgusting, it's dangerous. That's the problem here. He's going around clubbing in Covid hotspots, lord knows who he could infect in passing.

He should be suspended and fined to start the season. Adam Silver should lay the hammer down on him and set an example.

At this point in time, I would prefer that the Nets take to the court with what they have and go from there. Houston doesn't want what we are offering anyway and frankly, this is a serious character flag on Harden's part.

[MrDollarBills]

I’m not defending it, condoning it, etc., but at this point this is basically just Harden telling the Rockets, **** it, you don’t want to trade me to Brooklyn, I’m literally going to make it so I’m not even allowed at team facilities or with the team due to Covid protocol.

Eventually he’ll be fined and suspended by the NBA in all likelihood for violating their league-wide protocol though.

I think it makes it less likely that they trade him here. More likely that we see a Spurs scenario where they just send him off to the highest bidder.

I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up on the Pacers or something.

I don't think we should be involved in this drama anymore. Would rather focus on building chemistry with the team we have.

Agreed. We need guys to be locked in, and that's not going to happen if LeVert, Allen, and Dinwiddie are worried that they could be traded out of here the moment that the Rockets realize that they are wasting their time trying to hold on to a guy that has checked out on them.

[NyCeEvO]

So Harden a no show at Houston 1st practice after partying like crazy with Lil Baby in Atlanta and Vegas. Rockets saying stuff about covid protocol and making excuses, but I think Harden knows what he's doing, and to me, it appears that he's still trying to force his way out. Harden knew that NBA's covid protocol would make him miss team practice if he went out and partied.

Regardless, if Harden becomes a Net, he better cut out this partying **** during pandemic restrictions. Rumor is that he already had covid before the bubble, but it's still stupidity.

If he’s at a strip club of all places during the worst pandemic in a century. Do you really think he’ll suddenly change his ways lol? He is who he is.

[NyCeEvO]

lol this is going to get ugly but the Rockets owner is being too stubborn. Oh well, we'll see his value go down. it's sad because Rockets should at least give him what he wants after all that he's done for that franchise

He was one historically bad Game 7 away from taking down a healthy, juggernaut Warriors team along with CP3. It was the closest he had ever been to a championship, and yet he still requested CP3 to be traded.

The Rockets trade for one of his best friends and he got to play a style that let him do whatever he wants on offense. His friend asks to be traded after only one season, despite the Rockets giving up a lot of draft capital.

I’m no fan Fertitta. I think he’s one of the worst owners in the league.

But that doesn’t exonerate Harden. Almost no star has been accommodated in the way he has been over the years. The Rockets aren’t even saying that they’re not going to trade him; they’re just saying that they’re not going to trade him right now. At the very least, he should be a good citizen until a deal comes through. Instead, he’s acting a young rookie who doesn’t know any better, not a 30+ year old mature man.

[MarxyLebronist]

Definitely put this on the terrible HOU owner, but also now fully believing that Westbrook and Paul wanted away from Harden lol. Having said that- and I agree more than 100% on the basic COVID recklessness being unacceptable, sign of a lame person- he's awesome on the court as long as there's team defense set up to guard the other team. Provided it's true that Durant and Irving and Harden are interested in paying together, it seems pretty unstoppable and I'm a fan of on-court greatness, can't keep up with all the clickbait drama everywhere. Would love to see that big 3 go at it in a season where uncommon scorers and improvisers who can impose their will on a team could be even more lethal than usual, certainly early on. But the closer we get to season start, the longer it might take to play together.... Harden's gonna need a serious hose down, antibiotics run, and 2-week quarantine wherever he shows up lol.