James Harden skips practice with team again, angry Rockets fans say 'get your b***h a** back to Houston'
James Harden wants that trade to Brooklyn Nets. Period. After not reporting to the Houston Rockets practice on Monday, December 7, newly-appointed coach Stephen Silas said there was "no timetable" that he was aware for Harden to report. Earlier, Silas cited NBA's Covid-19 protocols as the reason the All-Star Guard could not practice with the side. Harden also missed the individual workout on Sunday, December 6, evening.
There has been no communication between Silas and Harden either, according to ESPN's sources. Although he informed the Rockets management he would report soon, there was uncertainty from Silas as to when he would rejoin the squad. "It is a setback. You want your best player to be here," he said after Monday's practice session.
Earlier, Harden had posted images of him attending rapper Lil Baby's birthday party in Atlanta and the pictures have been widely circulated all over social media. Rockets fans have been thoroughly unhappy with the developments as they took to Twitter to express their disappointment. "James Harden needs to be absolutely beaten up by the NBA, but all he’ll get *if anything* is a slap on the wrist," wrote one of the fans hoping the NBA would interfere and offer a solution.
"@JHarden13 what’s up Bro. A lot of people look up to you in Houston! We need you like we need @JoseAltuve27 Y’all have been the Faces oh H-Town. Don’t forget that!! Let’s Get Houston back on the map and WIN an NBA Championship and a World Series... #Rockets #astros," read one of the tweets.
And the anger wasn't far behind. "’ll smack the sh*t out of James harden if I see him, bro is on a 5 year playoff choke streak and thinks he is too good for training camp? You’re not getting traded get yo B$@;H a** back to Houston and get off Lil’s," read a comment.
James Harden needs to be absolutely beaten up by the NBA, but all he’ll get *if anything* is a slap on the wrist
— Feliz NaviDan (@jazzfandanman) December 8, 2020
@JHarden13 what’s up Bro. A lot of people look up to you in Houston! We need you like we need @JoseAltuve27 Y’all have been the Faces oh H-Town. Don’t forget that!! Let’s Get Houston back on the map and WIN a NBA Championship and a World Series... #Rockets #astros pic.twitter.com/xRsSiC7I1h
— Rick DjRickyRick Rodriguez (@rodriguez_rick) December 8, 2020
I’ll smack the shit out of James harden if I see him, bro is on a 5 year playoff choke streak and thinks he is to good for training camp ? You’re not getting traded get yo B$@;H as back to Houston and get off Lil 👶🏿’s 🥩 https://t.co/X1gbsnM6Ay
— Joshua “J Moe” Morris (@jxshxyyy) December 8, 2020
Some felt it was a tantrum. "He’s said it if he’s said it. What I have issue with is what he’s doing as a tantrum for it not being done (if that’s the case). It’s a business and you’re an employee. An employee getting tens of millions while millions struggle. Buck up and do your job."
This was followed by hope and love. "@JHarden13 We love you bro. Just give us this one last dance please god always rewards patience I promise you. You’ll be bigger than Kobe ever was if you win a ring for this city," a fan tweet read. "Sources tell me James Harden requested to be traded to Atlanta Hawks as Houston strip clubs can’t compete with those in Atlanta," read a tweet mocking Harden.
He’s said it if he’s said it. What I have issue with is what he’s doing as a tantrum for it not being done (if that’s the case). It’s a business and you’re an employee. An employee getting tens of millions while millions struggle. Buck up and do your job.
— Cameron Seeby (@Cameron_Seeby) December 8, 2020
@JHarden13 We love you bro. Just give us this one last dance please🙏🏼 god always rewards patience I promise you. You’ll be bigger than Kobe ever was if you win a ring for this city 🤟🏼
— NASir Jaffri 🌹 (@TheShah23) December 8, 2020
Sources tell me James Harden requested to be traded to Atlanta Hawks as Houston strip clubs can’t compete with those in Atlanta
— Baze Tsunami Papi Szn (@frank_niggalina) December 8, 2020
The Rockets may have not gone past the playoffs in 2019-20 but Harden had a great season. He averaged 29.6 points with 5.6 REB and 7.7 AST. And on days when his offense misfired, he managed to still turn the game on its head with some intense defense. One of the classic examples was his block against Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Only time will tell how things will shape up on the Harden-Houston drama.