James Harden addressed his departure from the Brooklyn Nets and, while at it, took a massive shot at Kevin Durant.
The guard is now with the Philadelphia 76ers after he was traded with Paul Milsap by the Nets for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond. His first full season with Philly wasn’t exactly off to a rollicking start, as he suffered a tendon sprain in his foot early into the season. However, he has been a force this year despite his injuries.
In an exclusive with Fox Sports, the 33-year-old was candid about his time with the Sixers and his tenure at Brooklyn. The interview examines his tumultuous time with the Nets and also added that he and Durant often butted heads.
First, there was the whole Kyrie Irving vaccination mess. Also, Harden and Durant, according to multiple Nets sources, butted heads during the season – Durant didn’t think Harden was in peak physical shape, and told him as much; Harden, meanwhile, struggled to adjust to an ecosystem where everything was no longer catered to him.
According to a friend, Harden also became frustrated with the Nets training staff and its focus on maintenance, rest, and recovery; after all, in Houston he’d run stadium stairs and lift – even after games sometimes – and he never got hurt.
Harden was vocal in his interview with the outlet and even shed light on the reactions following his move to the Sixers.
James Harden Says He Never Quit On The Nets: “Am I Still The Quitter?”
If there were any doubts about Harden’s contentious relationship with Durant, then his thoughts on his departure from Brooklyn that earned ample brickbats speak volumes on the matter.
He referenced Durant’s blockbuster interview with Bleacher Report earlier this season. The latter explained why he had asked for a trade and opined that it was all about basketball.
“I knew people were going to talk and say, ‘You quit’ and all that stuff, but then the following summer, the other superstar there [Durant] wanted to leave. So it’s like: Am I still the quitter?”
The relationship can be termed icy at best. But it appears that the teams and the players have moved on. Durant has been on a tear for Brooklyn, averaging 29.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
At the other end, Harden has propped up 22.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 10.6 assists in the 14 games he’s suited up this year. Both sides are frontrunners to make the postseason based on their current run of form.
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