Thursday, May 16, 2024

Kevin McHale talks James Harden-76ers drama, recounts when guard showed up ‘fat and didn’t feel like playing’



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James Harden has stirred up some drama between himself and the Philadelphia 76ers. Harden’s former Houston Rockets head trainer, Kevin McHale, isn’t precisely surprised that the connection has begun to bitter.

After a large contract extension with the 76ers didn’t materialize, Harden picked up his participant choice for a one-year, $35.6 million maintain Philly however briefly asked a business. Harden reportedly sought after to be dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers, however that business has now not come to fruition, and the 76ers megastar has now known as normal supervisor Daryl Morey a “liar.”

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These don’t seem to be sunny occasions in Philadelphia. McHale, a Boston Celtics legend, coached Harden for seasons in Houston and spoke with Heavy Sports about the bitter situation.

McHale stated he feels for Morey as a result of every now and then normal managers are stuck between the participant and possession in those stand-offs. McHale stated he suspects Morey can have sought after to paintings on a long-term extension for Harden, however that would possibly now not were 100% his name.

“James wanted a big extension from Philly, and Philly wouldn’t give it to him, and that’s not a Daryl decision,” McHale stated. “Daryl’s got a part of that, of course, but that’s an owner decision. So (Harden) was really mad, saying Daryl lied to him, but, you know, maybe they saw Game 7 against the Celtics and said, ‘I’m not interested in that.’

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“I feel Daryl would have most probably attempted to increase him and stay the entirety glad. But so far as buying and selling him is going, you realize, Daryl will get cussed. It’s going to be fascinating.”

Harden’s postseason struggles have apparently led to internal strife before. McHale said that after the 2015 NBA playoffs, when he benched Harden in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, the guard showed up to next year’s camp “fats and didn’t feel like enjoying.” 

At this level, it sort of feels like Harden has sufficiently burned bridges with the 76ers. During an match in China, Harden slammed Morey publicly.

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“Daryl Morey is a liar, and I will never be part of an organization that he’s a part of,” Harden stated. “Let me say that again: Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be part of an organization that he’s a part of.”

Now, the 76ers have misplaced some leverage in business talks, and Morey may not be prone to provide Harden away for pennies at the greenback. When former 76ers guard Ben Simmons sought after to be traded, Morey took his time, and Simmons even sat out video games at first of the 2021-22 season earlier than he was once after all despatched to the Brooklyn Nets.



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