In his first interview since being traded from the Houston Rockets to Brooklyn, James Harden said he wasn’t trying to be disrespectful with his harsh comments after Tuesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I wasn’t disrespectful to anyone,” Harden said Friday. “I’ve been through all the ups and downs in that organization. I wasn’t disrespectful to anyone. I just made a comment that the team, as a whole, wasn’t good enough to compete for a title.” (DeMarcus Cousins seemed to disagree.)
“I regret because I’m never been the guy to want the negative energy,” Harden added. “It was something out of my character, but the end goal was to get to a place to compete for a championship.”
Harden said he reevaluated his situation with the Rockets after their loss in the second round of the 2020 playoffs to the eventual champion Lakers, who won the final four games of the series. Most were not close.
“After the bubble, I just wanted to reevaluate my career and the team, and the direction that the organization it was going,” Harden said. … “I felt like we didn’t have a chance [to win a title].”
Houston: here is your explanation as to why Harden wanted out. pic.twitter.com/JdW6db2Kfc
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 15, 2021
Harden said he could not answer whether he would still be in Houston, had Daryl Morey stayed as GM. “Really good question,” he said.
Harden referred to the Rockets as an “unbelievable organization” for working with him during the extended trade process and eventually trading him to the original destination of his choosing, the Nets.
Here’s a roundup of how Harden responded Friday to various Houston-related questions, along with complete video at the bottom.
James Harden says that after the bubble, he re-evaluated the Rockets organization from top to bottom.
"I felt like we didn't have a chance."At this point in his career, James said winning a title was the most important thing to him, which prompted his interest in Brooklyn.
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) January 15, 2021
The Rockets, who had heard similar sentiments from Harden in previous offseasons, were optimistic for a while that they could salvage the relationship and compete this season. But Harden had clearly made up his mind and never wavered, ugly as it might have been.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 15, 2021
Asked if he would still be in Houston if Daryl Morey was still GM, Harden says he's not sure and calls it "a really good question"
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2021
James Harden says the Brooklyn Nets were on the top of his list but there were a few other teams involved as well. "Credit to the Houston Rockets, who are an unbelievable organization. They worked with me, as bad it looked from the outside. I'm very appreciative."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 15, 2021
Harden: "I regret. I don't need the attention. There were some things I feel like we're out of my character. I have nothing but love and respect for that organization, that city." https://t.co/sjyydL7SYc
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 15, 2021
Harden said he is "an elite player, an elite teammate, an elite leader." https://t.co/ERyQ7eCAR2
— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) January 15, 2021
James Harden on Mike D'Antoni: "Obviously, Mike is a factor. Being comfortable with him."
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 15, 2021
James Harden on Houston and the #Rockets: "I have nothing but love and respect for that organization, for that city, everything that they've done for me and my family."
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) January 15, 2021
James Harden (@JHarden13): “Credit to the Houston Rockets who are an unbelievable organization and worked with me. As bad as it might look from the outside, internally they worked with me and they made sure I ended up here. Much credit to them and very, very appreciative.”
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 15, 2021
Harden on why things will be different in Brooklyn as opposed to playing with Westbrook, Paul: "Obviously you've got Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the team (laughs)." He called it a "no-brainer for me."
— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) January 15, 2021
[lawrence-related id=43493,43342]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7SLNIXWSTc