With the Brooklyn Nets scheduled to take on the Philadelphia 76ers soon, the eyes of the NBA world will be glued to the Wells Fargo Center. This game will be the first between the two sides since the massive trade-deadline day deal that sent James Harden to the 76ers and Ben Simmons to the Brooklyn Nets.
Ahead of the game, Kyrie Irving was asked about James Harden leaving the Nets and joining the 76ers. Irving gave a somewhat surprising answer, as he told reporters that while he wished things would have been communicated better, he doesn’t feel bad about Harden leaving, as it was a decision he felt he had to make. Irving added that he had a good friendship with Harden, but they just couldn’t make it work on the court.
"I wish things could have been communicated better for all of us as men, but hey, no hard feelings here with me or anyone else."
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) March 9, 2022
“Everybody has their own visions starting off their careers and ending their careers. If that’s what James wanted then I respect his decision and that’s just what it is. I wish him nothing but peace and love. We have a great friendship, but it didn’t work out. I wish things could have been communicated better for all of us as men, but hey, no hard feelings here with me or anyone else.”
Irving’s comments show that he does seem to still have love and respect for his former teammate. Irving has noted in the past that he doesn’t see basketball as the be-all-end-all, and so, him not holding a grudge towards Harden makes sense. Regardless of the animosity, or lack thereof, the Nets-76ers game will be interesting.
Kevin Durant also spoke recently about Harden’s decision to leave, noting that he doesn’t think there was much he and the Brooklyn Nets could have done to convince Harden to stay and that him leaving was probably the move that made all sides happy in the end.
