76ers’ star James Harden says he has ‘misplaced belief’ in Daryl Morey, entrance workplace

NBA

“Whenever you lose belief in somebody, it is like a wedding,” Harden instructed reporters Friday.

Although disgruntled, James Harden has been practising with the 76ers forward of the common season. (AP Photograph/David Zalubowski) AP

By Related Press

  • Right here’s the place ESPN ranked Celtics gamers on their High 100 checklist

  • The Celtics have a really deep coaching camp roster: 8 takeaways vs. 76ers

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden remained steadfast that his fractured relationship with the entrance workplace can’t be repaired.

Harden has but to play within the preseason. However he did attend coaching camp and continues to follow with the 76ers within the wake of the disgruntled guard’s commerce demand.

Harden in June picked up his $35.6 million contract choice for this season with the assumption the workforce would attempt to commerce him. He blasted workforce president Daryl Morey at a promotional occasion in China when no commerce materialized, calling Morey a liar.

“It’s not even about this case. That is life,” Harden instructed reporters Friday at workforce’s complicated in New Jersey. “Whenever you lose belief in somebody, it’s like a wedding. Whenever you lose belief in somebody, you recognize what I imply? It’s fairly easy.”

Harden has been one of many league’s prime gamers for the previous decade, having gained three scoring titles and the 2018 league MVP award. He led the league in assists final season.

Harden stated he might attempt to play within the Sixers’ preseason finale on Friday towards Atlanta. Harden was evasive concerning the standing of his commerce demand.

“You’ve bought to speak to the entrance workplace about that,” he stated. “I’ve simply been right here working my butt off. I like the sport of basketball, so I’m simply within the fitness center placing the work in. It’s all I can management.”

A part of Harden’s grievance stems from his perception he ought to have earned a long-term contract with the Sixers after final season. It by no means got here, thus the commerce demand.

“I wished to be right here and retire a Sixer, and the entrance workplace didn’t have that of their future plans,” he stated. “It’s actually out of my management. It’s one thing I didn’t wish to occur to be on this place.”

Harden is a 10-time All-Star however basically compelled his means with trades out of Houston and Brooklyn and now nonetheless appears intent on including the Sixers to the checklist, saying he confirmed up largely to fulfill sure contractual necessities. It appeared enjoying because the second choice behind NBA MVP Joel Embiid and chasing a championship in Philly is now not critically on the desk.

However he’s nonetheless in uniform. And with him, the 76ers stay a risk beneath new coach Nick Nurse — although behind favorites Milwaukee and Boston — to emerge out of the East.

“I’m right here placing work in. that’s all I can do. I work my butt off,” Harden stated. “You may say no matter you wanna say about me, however you don’t get this far on this league with out placing work in. That’s what I cling my hat on. So each time issues fail or issues don’t go how you are feeling they need to go, you simply proceed to work, and that’s it.”