For longtime pro hoops habitues only too keen on following controversy wherever it goes, James Harden is like a gift that keeps on giving. For the third year in a row, he is forcing his way out of a situation into which he brought himself. At every stop in his National Basketball Association career, he has seemingly gotten into kinks that he cannot — or, perhaps more accurately, does not want to — iron out. Money drove him out of the Thunder, and money now also appears to be fueling his desire to leave the Sixers. Meanwhile, players issues triggered his wanderlust with the Rockets and Nets.
For a while there, it appeared as if Harden had found peace in red and white. He was certainly productive with the Rockets. For eight years until the turn of the decade, he counted himself among the best of the best in the league; no one was arguably more efficient offensively, with his isolation-heavy style resulting in perennial playoff contention. Yet, with power came responsibility, and, unfortunately, the lack of structure that underscored his greatness on the court likewise marked his travails off it. At his peak, he had command of the ball in sneakers; he also had a ball in dancing shoes. And, at every turn, it was his way or the highway.
Meanwhile, Harden kept lofty goals. He constantly put pressure on the Rockets to improve. And if he and general manager Daryl Morey developed a solid relationship en route, it was because he almost always got what he wanted — to the chagrin of such noted workaholics as Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook. His luck took a turn for the worse with the Nets; injuries and COVID-19 protocols limited the time he spent with fellow superstars Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, turning promise into frustration. After that, he somehow straightened his act enough to turn in a solid season for the Sixers; for all the back and forth he had with head coach Doc Rivers on how to run point, he managed to lead the NBA in assists alongside Most Valuable Player awardee Joel Embiid.
Fast forward to the present, and Harden is demanding to be shipped to the Clippers. In a bid to preserve the Sixers’ competitiveness under Embiid, however, Morey’s acquiescence comes with a price that the potential suitors are not willing to match. Why would they want to do so, when his very unpredictability depresses his value? He’s no spring chicken at 33. The explosiveness that propelled his historic numbers is all but gone, and high maintenance and diminishing returns do not go together. And that’s not even taking into consideration his constant disappearing acts in pivotal postseason outings.
Whatever Harden wants, he gets — so it’s no surprise that he amped up the pressure on the Sixers by casting Morey in a negative light. For what reason is the latter a liar? Because he made a stink in China, the biggest market in the world where he just so happens to be immensely popular, the NBA would now like to know. Needless to say, he’s not helping his reputation any in the process. Not that he cares about anything other than getting to where he pleases. And whereas he previously had little leverage, the league’s involvement improves his footing. As to where he finally lands, only time will tell.
Anthony L. Cuaycong has been writing Courtside since BusinessWorld introduced a Sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resources management, corporate communications, and business development.
