James Harden said he demanded a trade because he feels that the Rockets are not good enough to win the NBA title, despite his best efforts.
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The Rockets succumbed to their second straight blowout loss to the Lakers on their home court. Neither game was particularly close, but this latest encounter was essentially 3 and a half quarters of garbage time. The Rockets had no answer either for the Lakers’ stifling defense or their well-oiled offense.
James Harden could do practically nothing as the Rockets succumbed to a 21-point lead by the first quarter break. It was an all-out assault from the Lakers, who amassed 71 points in the first half. This was the Lakers’ highest points total in a single half this season.
The Rockets are now 3-6to start the season. Stuck at 14th place, it will take a Herculean effort for them to make the playoffs for a 9th straight season.
James Harden explains why he wants move away from the Houston Rockets
Speaking to the press in today’s post-game press conference, James Harden laid bare his issues with the team built around him. His words should leave no doubt in anybody’s minds that he’s now got one foot out the door:
“The Rockets are just not good enough. I love this city. I’ve literally done everything I can. This situation is crazy. I don’t think it can be fixed. Thanks.”
James Harden says Rockets are “just not good enough … I love this city. I literally have done everything that I can. I mean, this situation is crazy. It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed.”
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 13, 2021
This statement from Harden reads like a death knell to any hopes the Rockets had of putting together another playoff run with him. It also tanks his trade value now that everybody officially knows he wants out. Rumors will hit a fever pitch in the upcoming days about where Harden is eventually going to end up.
