Harden?s journey in the NBA has been nothing short of spectacular. From his early days with the Oklahoma City Thunder to his MVP season with the Houston Rockets. And then his move to the Brooklyn Nets where he teamed up with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, Harden has always been a player to watch.?
However, it?s his recent stint with the Philadelphia 76ers that has been brewing a lot of heat on social media. He has missed out on the training camp in this off-season due to his tour to China. After making 10 All-time appearances, this year too NBA commissioner Adam Silver was prepared to name him in the 2023 All-Star appearance.?
The All-Star Snub and Harden?s Response
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Being selected for the All-Star game appearance is a significant honor. It?s a recognition of a player?s talent, contribution to the team, and popularity among fans. This year, however, Harden found himself overlooked despite his impressive stats and consistent performances. Reports came that Adam Silver was prepared to name him as an injury replacement in the All-Star game. NBA insider Ramona Shelburne’s reports suggest that he ignored Silver?s invitation to be an injury replacement because he was ?pouting? over not being initially selected. It didn’t help that his former teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had both been voted in as starters by the fans, media and players, while Harden was a distant fourth among Eastern Conference guards.
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?Days went by without Harden’s answer. He was pouting,” reported Shelburne. “By the time Harden sent word that he would accept the invitation, Silver had moved on, naming Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam as the replacement for an injured Durant.?
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However, Harden himself took on the role of reporting on this alleged report. The snub didn?t sit well with Harden. He was particularly irked by the fact that his former teammates, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving, had both been voted in as starters by fans, media, and players, while he was a distant fourth among Eastern Conference guards. In response to an Instagram post about this issue, Harden commented simply, “Lies”.
Harden has taken on a reporting role
In a recent Instagram story post, he wrote: “y?all gotta chill wit those reports. Imma start reporting sh*t”. While it might seem like a joke at first glance, knowing Harden?s outspoken nature and his recent dissatisfaction with media reports, it could be a hint at something more. Possibly a more clear picture of his All-Star appearance.?
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It still remains to be seen what more Harden has to report on the matter. All fans look forward as he enters his 15th NBA season.?
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