On his third team in two seasons, James Harden is facing a lot of questions about his loyalty as a player and value as a teammate.
Speaking to the media after his trade to Philly, Harden addressed some of those questions and explained why, in his view, he’s one of the best teammates the NBA has seen.
“I don’t know why,” Harden responded when asked why he believes he’s earned the reputation of being a bad teammate, via Brian Hall of the Associated Press. “That’s for the media. The media say that. I feel like I’m one of the best teammates that the NBA’s seen, on the court and off the court. Just because the current situation happened, whatever happened, happened, it doesn’t mean that I’m a bad teammate. Me, personally, I feel like I needed to do what’s best for my career, and help myself and be happy. It doesn’t harp on whether I’m a bad teammate or not.”
In just a few games with the 76ers, James Harden has given fans a lot of optimism about the future.
He has been a seamless fit so far, and his new teammates have already raved about all that he brings to their squad — both on and off the court.
“The rhetoric coming out of Brooklyn would lead you to believe James Harden was a bad teammate at the end of his tenure,” wrote Sixers insider Keith Pompey. “But the rhetoric coming from the 76ers is the complete opposite. They’ll tell you that Harden has been a welcome addition and positive influence on his teammates. Early on, he’s been a leader despite being sidelined while rehabilitating a left hamstring strain. At his suggestion, Harden accompanied the Sixers here to Wisconsin for Thursday night’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum, the final matchup before the All-Star break. The point guard’s debut could be on Feb. 25 at the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Sixers’ first game after the break.”
It has been all smiles and positive vibes in Philly, and the team is undefeated since he has taken the floor.
While there is no doubt that it will be a while before all is figured out, Harden is already disproving some of the narratives.
If he’s able to lead the Sixers to a Larry O’Brien trophy this summer, it will be all he needs to shut the haters and doubters up for good.
