The NBA 2023-24 season is already turning out to be pretty dramatic for this Philadelphia 76ers? shooting guard. Harden, also known as The Beard, shockingly picked up the $35M player option with the 76ers, hoping to work out a trade deal.?

Instead of becoming a free agent, Harden decided to stay with the Phillies. This baffled the NBA world. Amidst trading negotiations, the last thing Harden wants to do is upset the honorary NBA commissioner, Adam Silver. As a result, Harden tactfully avoids an uncomfortable question about Silver in a recent interview.?

Harden sweats over an uncomfortable comparison

The 10x NBA All-Star, James Harden, was recently conversing with USA Today Sports. The 10-minute interview covered everything from Harden?s in-season expectations to his future goals. James Harden boasts about having an unbelievable career while promising to work even harder.??

During the interview, the host, Mackenzie Salmon, poses a question that Harden was unprepared for. Salmon asked if Harden had noticed any difference in the league ever since Adam Silver had taken on as the 5th NBA commissioner.?

She further adds, ?What would you say are the biggest differences between him [David Stern] and Adam Silver? How would you say?each has impacted the game in their own ways??

James Harden?s diplomatic response

Harden got drafted into the NBA during the final years of David Stern?s tenure. When the Oklahoma City Thunder picked Harden, he shook the very hands of David Stern on the stage. Stern was the 4th commissioner of the NBA and is regarded as the greatest NBA commissioner of all time.?

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Under his guidance, the NBA league expanded its fan base through exhibition games and international recruits. He also revamped the league?s digital presence with NBA.com, NBA TV, and NBA League Press. Stern also played a pivotal role in the establishment of the WNBA and the NBA G League.?

Harden, too admitted, that Stern did an ?unbelievable job of allowing the league to grow?. Harden concurred that NBA as a league has been constantly growing since he got drafted. There is more money, more diversity, and more awareness than ever before.?

Furthermore, Harden states, ?Adam is doing the same thing, carrying that wave and making this game even bigger?so both are unbelievable commissioners and both did an unbelievable job.?

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If you missed it, Harden answered the question with utter diplomacy. James, very carefully, dodges the question of comparing the commissioners with some straightforward flattery.?