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By now we’re nonetheless scrambling to unpack what the heck occurred to the “scary hours” dream. James Harden was introduced into the Nets’ camp to be the ultimate superstar-caliber complementary piece to Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. However as an alternative, by the point we realized Harden wasn’t very completely happy, the commerce winds had amassed right into a twister.
It was onerous sufficient to wrap our collective minds in Nets Nation across the reality these playoffs is likely to be the ultimate run for The Huge 3. By the point we may fear about dropping considered one of Harden or Irving to free company, the trio didn’t even make it by way of the commerce deadline. However as followers, we’re not the one ones caught off guard.
Kevin Durant broke his silence on the matter earlier than the staff’s street recreation in Miami on Saturday. Durant, nonetheless rehabbing from the MCL he sprained a month in the past on Jan. 15, has needed to watch his staff lose 10 consecutive video games in a row now. It have to be crushing for him understanding that he can not assist. What’s worse, his famous person teammate James Harden rapidly grew disgruntled over time and now he’s gone. KD didn’t get time to repair it.
Earlier, through his substack newsletter, Marc Stein wrote the next on Harden’s frustrations:
“Past the rampant skepticism in regards to the severity of his newest hamstring damage, on prime of the ever-present questions on his substandard conditioning and the way a lot it contributed to his never-ending hamstring troubles as a Internet, Harden has been a brooding presence for months. League sources say there have been instances earlier than Durant’s damage that the 2 stars, for causes unclear, have been hardly speaking — adopted by the chaos of the previous few Durant-less weeks when Harden stopped connecting with anybody to passive-aggressively convey he now not needed to be there.”
And it appears like by the point Kevin Durant had realized his teammate was so annoyed, it was too late. Issues have been too far gone. In line with Brian Lewis of the New York Put up, Durant mentioned he didn’t have an opportunity to attempt to handle no matter was bothering Harden:
Kevin Durant mentioned by the point he came upon James Harden was sad, it was already late within the course of. At that time, it was unlikely to be salvaged. #Nets
— Brian Lewis (@NYPost_Lewis) February 12, 2022
Per The Athletic’s Alex Schiffer Durant added “I’m pleased with the model of basketball we performed,” as regards to the short-lived Huge 3 period.
When Kyrie Irving spoke following the final recreation, he tried to take the excessive street. Kyrie type of hints that his personal vaccination standing might have been a consider Harden’s quiet frustrations. Possibly Harden didn’t see any level in talking up since Irving wasn’t going to get vaccinated anyway. Who is aware of?
“James in all probability couldn’t see what we have been stepping into, clearly with my standing being in-and-out, I noticed a couple of issues that perhaps may have impacted issues, however who is aware of,” mentioned Irving.
Do you assume Kyrie’s resolution to not get vax had an impression on Harden wanting to go away?
KD “I can not speculate on that, I would not know. There’s clearly going to be rumors about that. Kyrie has at all times been a simple scapegoat for everyone, particularly for the media and the followers.”
— Nick Friedell (@NickFriedell) February 13, 2022
In line with a report by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, which got here out following the blockbuster commerce that landed Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and Andre Drummond in Brooklyn, Harden was “passive-aggressive.” That concept vibes with what Stein wrote too. Stories counsel Harden didn’t share with everybody how sad he was, as an alternative making it sound like he needed to remain in Brooklyn long-term. However behind the scenes, he behaved otherwise.
“It wasn’t misplaced on teammates that Harden continued his late-night social actions, particularly on the Nets’ final Western Convention journey this month. His play, typically dispassionate and sloppy, culminated with a four-point efficiency in a loss to the lowly Sacramento Kings. Possibly Harden may keep this life-style in his 20s, but it surely wasn’t working now. For a participant purporting to have a hand and hamstring damage, this wasn’t inspiring confidence inside a staff in freefall.”
Like Durant, each head coach Steve Nash and Sean Marks each intimated issues deteriorated rapidly; they didn’t have clear info months in the past Harden was upset. Nash mentioned he didn’t ever get particular phrase that Harden was sad. They talked extra about day-to-day methods to enhance the staff.
All of it appears like Harden mentioned one factor, however demonstrated one thing else. And now, for higher or for worse, the blockbuster commerce is thru. And each groups will look to maneuver forwards. And KD can hope his present teammates can be a little bit extra forthcoming with him any longer.
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