NBA

Beard Struggle: All The Times James Harden Ruined It For His Teammates

Darren - November 7, 2023

NBA

Beard Struggle: All The Times James Harden Ruined It For His Teammates

Darren - November 7, 2023

2023 Playoff Failures

Harden played horribly in his final playoff series for the Sixers against Boston in 2023. He scored 22 points in the final two games as he failed to meet expectations. Some people believed that he ruined it for his teammates because he carried so much hype into the playoffs (via The Mirror).

Scott Van Pelt ranted about the Harden situation in Philadelphia. He said: “The glaring disappearances in massive spots in the playoffs, that’s on Harden. And who’s lining up to give a pile for that, knowing that if it gets sideways – which it inevitably seems to do – he’ll just say that he wants out again.”

<< Previous

NEXT >>

The Houston Debacle

Harden was an icon in Houston before he unceremoniously handed in a trade request. Then he showed how much he cared about the fans when he partied in Atlanta and Las Vegas. He tried to say that he traveled to prepare for the new season but that’s difficult to do from a nightclub in Sin City.

The Beard ruined it for everybody because he was a megastar there. In his final game for the team against the Lakers, he put his teammates on full blast. He insisted that they weren’t good enough and that he had taken them as far as he could. It’s typical of Harden because he does this with every team (via Forbes).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Out of Shape

It’s a bare minimum for professional athletes to keep themselves in shape. However, Harden hasn’t always been good at doing this and this caused problems in Philadelphia. His fitness issues created a rift between himself and Kevin Durant who expected better from his teammate.

Allegedly, Durant even told Harden about his concerns but Harden didn’t want to hear it. It’s not the first time that he had weight problems because he reportedly stopped training when he forced his Houston exit. Harden ruined it for himself because he didn’t do his job properly (via Sports Illustrated).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

2015 Playoffs

Harden played a crucial role in dragging the Rockets to the Conference finals in 2015. He was brilliant until they met the Warriors who took a 3-0 series lead. But then Harden exploded into life for 45 points as he gave the Rockets a fighting chance. Everyone thought that it was finally that time but he then ruined it.

The shooting guard immediately went off a cliff in the next game as the pressure became too much. Harden isn’t a clutch playoff performer and proved it again. It’s a shame because he has so much talent but his teammates can’t trust him because of his attitude and temperament (via Sportskeeda).

<< Previous

NEXT >>

Worst Nightmare

Skip Bayless thinks that Harden has already ruined it for his new Clippers teammates. The outspoken broadcaster has no faith in Harden and believes the player will break hearts again. To be fair, Bayless has a point because Harden has a clear recent history of burning bridges (via Sportskeeda).

Bayless said: “Tonight if you wanna dress up as somebody who will scare people, dress up as James Harden. He is now in his fourth team in 22 months and he has quit his way out of three teams. I do not doubt that at some point fairly soon he will quit his way out of his hometown.”

<< Previous

NEXT >>

All About Me

Harden is a hypocrite because he complained about the lack of structure in Brooklyn but he refused to follow the rules. He had issues with the franchise’s sports science department when it came to recovery. Harden wanted to do stair runs after games and other intense physical workouts but they wanted him to rest.

Somehow Harden still never reached full fitness because he wouldn’t commit to the regime. “I don’t mean to, like, just down talk to anybody or whatever. It was just, there was no structure, and even superstars, they need structure,” Harden said (via Sports Illustrated). “That’s what allows us to be the best players and leaders for our respective organizations.”

<< Previous

NEXT >>

The Philly Standoff

Harden left Philadelphia under the darkest cloud possible. First of all, he convinced Daryl Morey to fire Doc Rivers. Then he complained about the lack of communication between him and the front office. He underwhelmed in the postseason but the Sixers had a chance to lick their wounds and bounce back.

Imagine an entirely focused Harden and Embiid with massive chips on their shoulders. Instead, Harden forced his way out of a contender as he followed Kyrie Irving’s footsteps. That’s a bad look and shows how selfish he is. Harden ruined it for everyone because he only cares about the bottom line (via Deadspin).

<< Previous