It may be time for James Harden to age out of his rebellious stage.
Former NBA champion Matt Barnes called out Harden’s erratic behavior on his “All the Smoke” podcast.
“I think James has to be careful because… the NBA doesn’t need him,” said Barnes. “The NBA doesn’t need him no more.”
Barnes’ comments come as Harden is trying to negotiate his way out of Philadelphia after two seasons with the 76ers.
“All of us are for player empowerment,” Barnes continued. “But he forced his way out of Houston, forced his way out of Brooklyn, now he’s trying to force his way out of Philly.
“He’s got so much talent and a lot of game left, he could talk his way out of the league, with his talent, which is crazy.
Barnes’ co-host, ex-Celtics star Kevin Garnett, agreed that Harden’s act is wearing thin around the league.
“When you wiggle your way out, you only got one or two wiggles,” Garnett said. “You ain’t got infinite wiggles.”
Harden’s behavior has come under scrutiny from within the league and outside of it, especially after he called Philly’s president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a “liar.”
Now entering his 14th NBA season, the panel of ex-NBA stars agreed that a younger, cheaper player may be preferrable to the headaches Harden may incur.
Although Harden’s actions may cost him a job, his talent is still undeniable.
“We all feel like he has so much game left,” said Barnes. “You know he’s not the player he was, but he’s still a 19-and-10 type guy, so he can still play.
“So my thing with him is, he just has to be careful, as good as he is, The way he’s been wiggling, like KG said, he only get’s so many wiggles.”
Read more
