Who is to Blame for the James Harden Drama?
The Sixers are yet again the laughing stock of the NBA after a clip surfaced this morning of James Harden calling the Sixers’ president of Basketball Operations, Daryl Morey, a liar and stating that he will never be a part of an organization that Morey is a part of again.
We can assume this probably has something to do with an agreement made last off-season between Harden and Morey in which Harden would take less money last year in return for a big payday this off-season. While that is purely speculation, it would make sense that Harden would refer to Morey as a liar if he went back on his word.
It is Morey’s responsibility as the president of the team to maintain a working relationship with everyone in the organization, and that is not something that he was able to accomplish with Harden.
Harden would have every right to be upset and feel a bit betrayed if that is indeed the case, but at the end of the day, Morey has every right to reevaluate things after a year. It also doesn’t help Harden’s case that we are talking about a year in which he disappeared in the Sixers’ final two games after holding a 3-2 series lead.
While Morey certainly has blame in this situation, Harden is the common issue here. The Sixers are the third team since 2021 that he will demand a trade from. While Harden certainly had a couple of great moments in 2023, he is nowhere near the player he once was, and when he was on the open market just a month ago, that was the common consensus around the NBA. Harden banked on himself and his reputation, and it failed him.
Harden has put the Sixers in yet another uncomfortable situation and will likely get his way yet again when he made the comments earlier this morning; it all but ended any chance of him attending training camp or playing another minute as a 76er.
At one point, it looked as if the Sixers got a steal unloading a disgruntled Ben Simmons for Harden, but it’s become evident that the trade was a lose-lose for both teams.
Harden’s lack of accountability is the exact reason his Hall of Fame career will end without a championship.
This is now James Harden’s legacy, a malcontent player that just wants a payday.
Photo: Getty Images
Discover more from Philadelphia Sports Nation
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.