76ers’ star James Harden says he has ‘misplaced belief’ in Daryl Morey, entrance workplace

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden remained steadfast that his fractured relationship with the entrance workplace can’t be repaired.

Harden has but to play within the preseason. However he did attend coaching camp and continues to follow with the 76ers within the wake of the disgruntled guard’s commerce demand.

Harden in June picked up his $35.6 million contract possibility for this season with the assumption the group would attempt to commerce him. He blasted group president Daryl Morey at a promotional occasion in China when no commerce materialized, calling Morey a liar.

“It’s not even about this case. That is life,” Harden advised reporters Friday at group’s complicated in New Jersey. “If you lose belief in somebody, it’s like a wedding. If you lose belief in somebody, you realize what I imply? It’s fairly easy.”

Harden has been one of many league’s high gamers for the previous decade, having gained three scoring titles and the 2018 league MVP award. He led the league in assists final season.

Harden mentioned he may attempt to play within the Sixers’ preseason finale on Friday towards Atlanta. Harden was evasive concerning the standing of his commerce demand.

“You’ve received to speak to the entrance workplace about that,” he mentioned. “I’ve simply been right here working my butt off. I like the sport of basketball, so I’m simply within the health club placing the work in. It’s all I can management.”

A part of Harden’s grievance stems from his perception he ought to have earned a long-term contract with the Sixers after final season. It by no means got here, thus the commerce demand.

“I needed to be right here and retire a Sixer, and the entrance workplace didn’t have that of their future plans,” he mentioned. “It’s actually out of my management. It’s one thing I didn’t need to occur to be on this place.”

Harden is a 10-time All-Star however basically compelled his method with trades out of Houston and Brooklyn and now nonetheless appears intent on including the Sixers to the listing, saying he confirmed up largely to fulfill sure contractual necessities. It appeared taking part in because the second possibility behind NBA MVP Joel Embiid and chasing a championship in Philly is now not significantly on the desk.

However he’s nonetheless in uniform. And with him, the 76ers stay a risk below new coach Nick Nurse — although behind favorites Milwaukee and Boston — to emerge out of the East.

“I’m right here placing work in. that’s all I can do. I work my butt off,” Harden mentioned. “You’ll be able to say no matter you wanna say about me, however you don’t get this far on this league with out placing work in. That’s what I grasp my hat on. So each time issues fail or issues don’t go how you’re feeling they need to go, you simply proceed to work, and that’s it.”