Despite the trade rumors and requests, James Harden finally wore a Rockets uniform again Monday night. That happened during a preseason loss to the Spurs.
Now, the All-Star guard and NBA scoring leader is just taking it day-by-day.
“Right now, I’m focused on being here,” Harden told reporters. “Today was good, yesterday felt really good being out there for the first time since the bubble. I hadn’t really had an opportunity to do a lot of five-on-five work. But for my first time being out there, I think I felt pretty good.”
Harden did not deny requesting a trade, but everyone knows he wants one. Still, if he’s at training camp and in uniform, the reality is he could be with the Rockets a while. And perhaps this will be all blow over.
“I can only focus on right now and, for me, the best James Harden is making sure I’m in shape,” he said.
Since the end of last season, Mike D’Antoni left as head coach, Daryl Morey left as general manager, and star guard Russell Westbrook was traded to the Wizards for John Wall. Also, starting forward Robert Covington left for the Trail Blazers.
The Rockets promoted Rafael Stone to GM and hired longtime NBA assistant Stephen Silas as coach.
Harden is the lone remaining big name constant.
“There’s a lot of changes,” Harden said. “Obviously, the entire coaching staff, some of the front office, a lot of the players. This is where we are. Coach (Silas) has done an unbelievable job of communicating with the guys and just putting the structure in and getting things going.”
Harden may be among those things getting going. But for now, he’s in Houston, whether he wants to be or not.
