James Harden Wants To Get Traded So Bad He's Now Spending Practice Chucking Balls At Teammates And Trying To Fight Them
[Athletic] - For instance, The Athletic learned that Harden has had multiple verbal confrontations with teammates in practice on Sunday and Monday, and one confrontation included Harden throwing a basketball at a teammate on Monday.
Sources say Harden and rookie Jae’Sean Tate had a heated exchange during Monday’s practice, culminating in Harden throwing the ball in Tate’s direction. The ball did not hit Tate. Interactions like these between teammates during practice can be part of a normal, competitive environment. Harden, however, is known by those in the organization as a laid-back and calm personality —especially as superstars go — and some around the franchise are viewing this as rising to an uncharacteristic level of frustration given his ongoing situation.
This is some innovative thinking by James Harden here. You don't just quit, nope, not at all. Harden used every logical channel to try and get out of Houston. He had the media leak that he wanted a trade. He refused to show up to the start of camp and went to Vegas and Atlanta instead. He even came up with a list of teams that he'd like to be traded to - shockingly all are contenders. He decided to go a new route. He's going to the Jimmy Butler route.
Remember this story?
I need video of the Rockets practice. I need to see everyone sitting here dealing with Harden as he chucks balls at people. Also need to know who he's going after. Zero chance he's going after Boogie and Wall. Even after the injuries, you don't want to fight that tag team. Harden probably is polite to them and calls Boogie good sir.
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But going after Jae'Sean Tate? That just seems … mean. You can't pick on the guy who played overseas and is fighting to stay in the NBA. Gotta go after someone in the middle. Maybe someone like a Danuel House? You can blame him for sneaking in someone dressed as a Covid tester/fucking his Covid tester in the bubble and getting kicked out. You have a built in story.
Now Harden and throwing balls has a bit of history, usually resulting in a negative for him. Not surprised he's trying to turn the tables.
Also not surprised he missed Tate. Actually, I am surprised. It's the regular season. He usually hits shots there. If it was the postseason there'd be zero chance he'd successfully hit someone with a ball. He'd miss by 6 feet and look winded the entire time. Maybe this is his way of forcing the Rockets hand even more.
Oh that and Harden going full on Marshawn Lynch in his press conference:
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He's going to take the NBA title trophies from 94 and 95 the Rockets have and start doing donuts in the parking lot soon. The man is doing everything possible to force his way out. Honestly, I hope the Rockets trade him to like the Hornets or something like that. Send him as far away from the teams he wants to go to. Let's see how weird this whole situation can get.
PS: This video will always be one of my favorite Barstool office videos. Sorry Zah, but funny is funny