James Harden met the media Thursday for the first time since his blockbuster trade to the Los Angeles Clippers, and he had some interesting things to say about his role with his old team.
The Philadelphia 76ers traded the 10-time All-Star guard to the Clippers late Monday in a deal involving six other players and four draft picks.
The veteran had been unhappy for some time with his situation in Philadelphia, and he didn’t hold anything back Thursday, comparing his time with the 76ers to “being on a leash.”
“Philly [was] just changing my role knowing I can give more, knowing I can do more, but if you want me to be honest, it’s like being on a leash,” Harden said. “Like, me knowing, in order for us to get where we want to get to, I was going to have to be playing my best offensively whether it’s facilitating and scoring the basketball, and Joel [Embiid] as well.
“I never really had that opportunity. I think all that plays into where I am today.”
“Philly is just changing my role knowing I can give more, knowing I can do more, but if you want me to be honest, it's like being on a leash… I never really had that opportunity [to score and facilitate freely].”
James Harden on his Sixers situation 😬
(via @TomerAzarly) pic.twitter.com/ENvnygLE5Q
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 2, 2023
The leash line caught everyone by surprise, and someone asked Harden to clarify the comment.
“When I’m in a leash, I’m not meaning shoot the basketball every time,” Harden said. “I meant like, I think the game and I’m a creator on the court, so if I’ve got a voice to where I can [say] ‘Hey coach, I see this, what you think about this?’ then it’s all OK. Someone that trusts me or believes in me and understands me that I’m not a system player, I am a system.”
You have to admit, “I’m not a system player, I am a system” could be a defining quote for any great athlete, so kudos to Harden for thinking of that line.
Fans had a lot of fun with Harden’s remarks.
James Harden: I am the system
The system: pic.twitter.com/xLxJol3J95
— G (@bucketexpress) November 3, 2023
Being in Philly was being on a leash….
But w LAC — with MORE ball-dominant teammates — he will do whatever the coach wants.
These statements don’t connect.
— Dre Baldwin | #WorkOnYourGame (@DreAllDay) November 2, 2023
So forcing your way to a team with 3 ball-dominant stars was the answer? 🤡🤡😭
— Shoot The Shots Media (@shoottheshots_) November 2, 2023
He had the ball in his hands more than anyone not named Luka. Doth protests too much.
— Fear the ‘Fro: A Cleveland Cavs Podcast (@FeartheFroPod) November 3, 2023
How has your system worked thus far James😭😭
— Noah Deitrick (@ndeitrick03) November 2, 2023
About Arthur Weinstein
Arthur spends his free time traveling around the U.S. to sporting events, state and national parks, and in search of great restaurants off the beaten path.