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Newly-acquired Clippers guard James Harden is now on his fifth NBA team, having been traded from the previous four. And, it may be due in part to comments like the ones he made today that he can’t seem to stay in one place.
The guard had spent the last two seasons in Philadelphia, where he was brought in from Brooklyn to try to help Joel Embiid bring a championship to 76ers fans. But, that didn’t happen.
The team embarrassingly fell short in the 2022 and 2023 playoffs. 2023 was especially crushing, as the 76ers blew a 3-2 series lead with a home game in game six to the rival Celtics. They lost game 7 in a blowout fashion, and the vibes were all-time bad.
Still, Harden opted in to his $35.6 million player option in June, and it seemed like he would be back in Philadelphia this year. But, he and general manager Daryl Morey, who he spent time with in Houston, had a big falling out. Harden demanded a trade, with his preferred destination being the Clippers.
And, he got his wish in the early hours Tuesday, as the Philadelphia 76ers sent James Harden to the Clippers.
So, what kind of impression did James Harden want to leave in his first media availability with his new team? Not a very good one, apparently. Take a look.
“I am not a system player. I am a system.”
Full comment from James Harden: pic.twitter.com/wWfLzgndlO
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) November 2, 2023
Yikes.
The ten-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA selection is no doubt heading to the Hall of Fame and is one of the most gifted players ever. But, those comments are indicative as to how he hasn’t won an NBA title yet.
He will join fellow future Hall of Famers Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and Russell Westbrook as they look to win the first championship in Clippers history.