James Harden felt snubbed for not being named a starter for the 2023 NBA All-Star Game. And it reportedly got to him so much that it cost him an eventual invite as an injury replacement.
A new report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne painted a picture of the Philadelphia 76ers guard feeling left out after his former Brooklyn Nets teammates, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, were voted as starters. However, NBA commissioner Adam Silver wanted to name Harden to the roster as an injury replacement for Durant.
But, according to Shelburne, the commissioner couldn’t get in touch with Harden.
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“Harden just had to give assurances that he would show up and play in the game,” Shelburne wrote on Wednesday. “Days went by without Harden’s answer. He was pouting.
“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.”
Harden refuted the report on his Instagram, posting to his story: “Y’all gotta chill wit these reports. Imma start reporting (expletive).”
There certainly was an argument that the 10-time All-Star was snubbed from the 2023 game, and marked the first time Harden wasn’t part of an All-Star team since the 2011-12 season. But if all he had to do was respond to Silver and accept the invite, he’s the only one to blame.
Harden and the 76ers have been in an ongoing feud since early in the summer. Philadelphia reportedly gave Harden its word that the organization would “quickly” trade him if he opted into the $35.6 million option. He did, and a trade never came.
President of basketball operations Daryl Morey laid out what the Sixers wanted for Harden, and made it clear they weren’t going to trade him just to trade him. Trade talks were eventually shut down, and Harden called Morey a “liar” and vowed to never play for Philly — or any team Morey is part of — for the rest of his career.
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The NBA fined Harden $100,00 for his comments, and he remains part of the 76ers team. Training camp begins later this month, and there certainly will be a lot of eyes on whether Harden shows up.
