James Harden’s most notable quotes from his first press conference with the Nets

James Harden is officially a member of the Brooklyn Nets following his blockbuster trade from the Rockets, and the former league MVP met with the media for the first time as a Net on Friday afternoon. In a packed Zoom call, Harden addressed his controversial (and arguably disrespectful) exit from Houston, his hotly debated conditioning level, and the Nets potential to win a championship with a new Big 3.

If Harden continues to pass all COVID-19 tests and clears protocol, he will be available to play for Brooklyn for the first time on Saturday against the Magic. Kyrie Irving is also expected to be eligible to play on Saturday, which makes the Nets’ next game an absolute must-watch.

Here are James Harden’s most notable quotes from his first press conference as a Net:

Harden on fitting in with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on the floor

https://twitter.com/NBATV/status/1350165296565215234 "It might take a little time, it might not. I think all of us are very, very smart, like I said, are very unselfish and we know what's at stake. It's a matter of coaches putting us in position and us communicating, putting ourselves in positions and spots on the floor where we can be effective and help each other out."

Harden on if he disrespected the Rockets on his way out of Houston

https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1350163871881981952 "I wasn't disrespectful to anyone. Those guys had just got there to Houston, I've been there for a very long time. I've been through the ups and downs with that organization, and I wasn't disrespectful toward anyone. I just made a comment that the team as a whole wasn't good enough to compete for a title. And at the stage of my career where I am now, that's what I would love."

Harden weighs in on his questionable conditioning level

https://twitter.com/outsidethenba/status/1350165721821687808 Reporter: "How would you describe your conditioning level now at this point in the season?" Harden: "Great."

Harden on what he's bringing to the Nets

https://twitter.com/BleacherReport/status/1350164231098871810 "An elite player, an elite teammate, an elite leader, and just a guy that's willing to do whatever it takes to rack up as many wins as we can."

Harden on his playmaking ability with the Nets

https://twitter.com/TalkinNets/status/1350165249111023616 "We have two elite scorers that the world knows already. My job is to come out here, obviously score the basketball when needed, but my playmaking ability, whether it's getting our shooters shots, getting our bigs finishes around the rim and making the entire team better. I think that's one aspect of my game that will excel in this offense. As long as I'm making my teammates better, it doesn't matter about the points. I think everybody knows that I can score the ball at a high clip."

Harden on giving himself a chance to win a title

https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1350170533753589760 "It's not a guarantee that me coming to Brooklyn is guaranteeing a title. I think, for me, giving myself a chance is very, very important. [When I was] younger, giving myself a chance, but wanting to get paid and wanting to take care of my family was very, very important to me. Now in this stage of my career, it’s giving myself a chance to do something that I haven't accomplished yet in the league."

Harden on if the Nets are capable of winning a title

https://twitter.com/TalkinNets/status/1350164041411526662 "I mean obviously you've got Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the team. And then surrounded by those guys you have really good pieces in DeAndre, Jeff, shooters in Joe, Landry. I mean you just look at this entire roster and it's built for any style of basketball you want."