Ten years ago, Foot Locker produced an iconic commercial with James Harden and Stephon Curry. It showed both men in a recording studio as Curry is pleading with Harden to not do this. Harden says he wants to keep things fresh. Steph encourages him to go to Foot Locker to get some fresh gear. They play the recording of Harden singing off-key as Curry looks at him, shaking his head. He replies, "Is that me?" It is one of the most-funniest commercials that the NBA has ever produced. During that time, Harden and Curry were breaking out of the pack into the NBA elite. I figured James Harden would have a career that surpassed Curry.
Here in present day, Curry only became the greatest long-range shooter of all-time, winner of two league MVP awards and a four-time NBA champion. James Harden has won an MVP award and is a multiple time All-Star. He has an impressive resume that will land him to Springfield, Massachusetts and the Basketball Hall of Fame.
So, why is James Harden considered toxic or a person who tends to disappear when things get tense? Simple. From this end of the spectrum, he has really been in situations where he causes people to call him a franchise killer due to his actions. He has a laundry list of clutch games where he seems to not make an impact, especially the playoffs, where it is important. He also has a laundry list of wanting to leave a team when a situation isn't great. James Harden is supposed to be known as a franchise player. Due to his talents, he has carried the Houston Rockets to near the top of the NBA. Houston could have been an NBA champion. Unfortunately, a certain team kept that from happening. IT WAS STEPH CURRY AND THE GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS. This is paramount since the Rockets went to great lengths to audit Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals.
Harden's GM during that time is his current one with the Philadelphia 76ers, Daryl Morey. In 2012, Morey made the trade to receive Harden from Oklahoma City. James became one of the hottest rising stars in the NBA. The Rockets were setting season three-point marks as Harden was an MVP. However, when Houston failed to win a title, he became frustrated and wanted a trade. His desired destination was Brooklyn, where Kyrie and KD were. After a failed attempt at a championship with the future Hall-of-Famers, James wanted out and the 76ers were willing to oblige and acquire him for a sinking Ben Simmons. He was reunited with Morey in the process. Get it? Once again, the Sixers have failed to win a title, and Harden wants out. See a trend here?
His current situation with the Sixers is a damning one. He has publicly punked out Daryl Morey by calling him "a liar" and causing the NBA to probe the situation into why James made the comment. It was clear, Harden didn't get his way like other franchises who obliged to his trade request. Philly has said that they will not trade Harden under any circumstances. The problem is that Harden could cause some riff-raff to try to force the organization's hand. If any franchise wants to get him, you would have to practice patience and own a box full of Tylenol for the never-ending headaches he will induce.
James Harden will be in the Hall-of-Fame due to his mind-numbing stats, but people will remember him for mind-numbing decisions to burn bridges with franchises for no reason.
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