NEW YORK – After a turbulent end to his tenure with the Houston Rockets, new Brooklyn Nets security guard James Harden said on Friday that he does not believe he was disrespectful to anyone late in his Houston situation developed.
“I’ve been there for a long time,” Harden said of the Rockets. “I’ve been through all the ups and downs, you know, with that organization. And 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. And at this stage of my life.career, where I am now, I would love that.
“So I tried not to be disrespectful to anyone, especially the organization. And like I said, I’m excited to be here in Brooklyn and, you know, excited for new beginnings.”
After an ugly defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, Harden told reporters that the Rockets were “just not good enough” and that he didn’t think they were capable of competing for a title. Harden added that the “situation is crazy” and “something I don’t think can be resolved.”
The next day, his then teammates intervened. DeMarcus Cousins said Harden’s comments were “disrespectful,” while Christian Wood said it was “a little disappointing.” The Rockets Coach, Stephen Silas, said “it was better for the group” that Harden did not attend the training.
Later that day, the Nets and Rockets agreed to be part of the four-team trade that brought Harden to Brooklyn.
At his introductory news conference in Brooklyn on Friday, Harden reiterated that he felt the Rockets “had no chance,” but said some of their behavior and public comments were not characteristic of him.
“I’m sorry, because I’m not the type of person who … I don’t need the attention,” Harden said. “The ultimate goal was to get somewhere where I could compete, and here I am in Brooklyn.”
Harden added that he has “nothing but love and respect” for the city of Houston and the Rockets as an organization. He also thanked the team and his fans in an Instagram post on Friday.
Harden said his pre-existing relationship with former Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Kevin Durant and Nets’ assistant coach, Mike D’Antoni they made Brooklyn an even more attractive destination.
The Nets coach, Steve Nashsaid once Harden is available to play, it will start. A team spokesperson told ESPN that Harden has completed his physical training but cannot participate in team activities on the field until all players involved in the multi-team trade have passed their physical training.
Harden said on Friday that while coming to Brooklyn is no guarantee of winning a title, he likes the odds of the Nets. He said he will have to rely on his playing skills to coexist with “elite scorers” like Durant and Kyrie Irving.
“I think it’s really important to me to give myself a chance,” said Harden. “Giving myself a chance but wanting to get paid and take care of my family has been very important to me. Now, at this stage of my career, I give myself the opportunity to do something that I have not yet done or achieved in this League, that’s why I’m here in Brooklyn.
“Of course we know it’s not easy,” added Harden. “With this team, this coaching staff and this organization, I think we have a legitimate opportunity.”
Harden said after the Rockets left in the second round of the 2020 playoffs, he began to reassess his future in Houston. Shortly after losing the 4-1 series to the Lakers in the bubble, D’Antoni made the decision not to return as the Rockets head coach after his contract expired. Weeks later, the CEO resigned Daryl Morey.
In mid-November, Harden turned down an extension in Houston that would have made him the first $ 50 million a year player in League history, and ESPN reported that Harden was starting to discuss his future with the Rockets leadership. He wanted to be changed and Brooklyn was at the top of his list.
For a while, the Rockets were determined to hold Harden, sources told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, in the hope that the relationship could be saved and that they could be competitive this season. Harden never hesitated in his desire to be traded, the sources said.
Harden did not show up at the start of the training camp. Days before the first game of the season, he attended a private party in Houston where he fined him $ 50,000 for violating NBA health and safety protocols and forbidding him from being available for the first game , which was later. postponed.
“It was not as easy as I would have liked,” said Harden, who gave the organization credit for working with him on the exchange. “But I think both parties are satisfied.”