James Harden ends media blackout, doesn't address trade request: 'I'm just focused on being here'
James Harden finally broke his media blackout on Wednesday, speaking to reporters for the first time since he arrived late to Houston Rockets training camp last week. He didn’t say much, choosing to focus on his recent activities with the team instead of addressing the swirling rumors about his trade request.
Does Harden still want #Rockets to trade him and, if so, why?
Harden: "Right now, I'm just focused on being here. Today was good. Yesterday felt really good, being out there the first time since the bubble. I haven't really had an opportunity to do a lot of 5-on-5 work but ...— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 16, 2020
... for my first time being out there, I felt pretty good."
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 16, 2020
Harden also wouldn’t talk about newly promoted GM Rafael Stone, only saying “we haven’t had a conversation” when asked if he has confidence in him. Harden did have great things to say about coach Stephen Silas, who has been dealing with Harden media circus for over a week now.
Harden on all the #Rockets' changes and his perspective on where the team is at right now: "There's a lot of changes. 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 ...
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 16, 2020
... communicating with the guys and just putting the structure in and getting things going."
— Brian T. Smith (@ChronBrianSmith) December 16, 2020
Harden was also asked about what he was doing in Vegas and Atlanta while training camp was starting. He posted several pictures and a story on Instagram that showed him partying in both cities, but Harden wouldn’t admit to that.
James Harden on what he was doing in Atlanta in Vegas during training camp:
"I was just training."
For what?
"The start of the NBA season."
Why in Atlanta and Vegas instead of Houston?
"My personal trainers."— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) December 16, 2020
Sure, James. You were definitely training.
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