Philadelphia 76ers’ star player, James Harden, recently broke his silence and spoke to reporters for the first time since rejoining the team. Harden expressed his doubts about repairing his relationship with Daryl Morey, the President of Basketball Operations for the 76ers.
Drawing an analogy, Harden likened his relationship with Morey to a marriage, stating that once trust is lost, it becomes incredibly challenging to rebuild it. Interestingly, throughout his comments, Harden referred to Morey as “the front office” but never mentioned his name directly.
Harden’s connection with Morey goes back to 2012 when Morey orchestrated a trade that brought Harden to the Houston Rockets. During his time with the Rockets, Harden established himself as an exceptional player, winning the NBA MVP award and solidifying his status as one of the league’s top offensive talents.
Unfortunately, the once-strong relationship between Harden and Morey deteriorated after the 76ers suffered a loss to the Boston Celtics in the playoffs. Communication between Harden and the front office ceased after this defeat.
In an attempt to regain control of his future, Harden exercised his player option for the 2023-24 season and requested a trade to the LA Clippers. However, his request has not been granted, resulting in his return to the 76ers. Despite missing media day and the first practice due to preseason physicals, Harden stated that he feels physically good and believes he can reach another level.
Regarding his availability for upcoming games, Harden confirmed that he will not play in the next preseason game but might participate in the final one to prepare for the regular season. His return has created uncertainty surrounding the team, as both his plans and the nature of the situation remain unclear.
Notably, Harden commended the team’s new head coach, Nick Nurse, for his versatility and adaptability. The 76ers have high hopes for the upcoming season, and Harden expressed his desire to retire as a Sixer. Nevertheless, he acknowledged that basketball is a business, and he must make decisions that are in the best interest of his family.
For now, Harden’s sole focus is on playing basketball this season. Fans and analysts eagerly await further developments as the season progresses, hoping for a resolution to the strained relationship between Harden and Morey.
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