ClutchPoints logo
  • NBA
    Eastern
    Atlantic
    • Boston Celtics
    • Brooklyn Nets
    • New York Knicks
    • Philadelphia 76ers
    • Toronto Raptors
    Central
    • Chicago Bulls
    • Cleveland Cavaliers
    • Detroit Pistons
    • Indiana Pacers
    • Milwaukee Bucks
    Southeast
    • Atlanta Hawks
    • Charlotte Hornets
    • Miami Heat
    • Orlando Magic
    • Washington Wizards
    Western
    Pacific
    • Golden State Warriors
    • Los Angeles Clippers
    • Los Angeles Lakers
    • Phoenix Suns
    • Sacramento Kings
    Southwest
    • Dallas Mavericks
    • Houston Rockets
    • Memphis Grizzlies
    • New Orleans Pelicans
    • San Antonio Spurs
    Northwest
    • Denver Nuggets
    • Minnesota Timberwolves
    • Oklahoma City Thunder
    • Portland Trail Blazers
    • Utah Jazz
  • NFL
    AFC
    West
    • Denver Broncos
    • Kansas City Chiefs
    • Las Vegas Raiders
    • Los Angeles Chargers
    South
    • Houston Texans
    • Indianapolis Colts
    • Jacksonville Jaguars
    • Tennessee Titans
    North
    • Baltimore Ravens
    • Cincinnati Bengals
    • Cleveland Browns
    • Pittsburgh Steelers
    East
    • Buffalo Bills
    • Miami Dolphins
    • New England Patriots
    • New York Jets
    NFC
    West
    • Arizona Cardinals
    • Los Angeles Rams
    • San Francisco 49ers
    • Seattle Seahawks
    South
    • Atlanta Falcons
    • Carolina Panthers
    • New Orleans Saints
    • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    North
    • Chicago Bears
    • Detroit Lions
    • Green Bay Packers
    • Minnesota Vikings
    East
    • Dallas Cowboys
    • New York Giants
    • Philadelphia Eagles
    • Washington Commanders
  • MLB
    National
    East
    • Atlanta Braves
    • Miami Marlins
    • New York Mets
    • Philadelphia Phillies
    • Washington Nationals
    Central
    • Chicago Cubs
    • Cincinnati Reds
    • Milwaukee Brewers
    • Pittsburgh Pirates
    • St. Louis Cardinals
    West
    • Arizona Diamondbacks
    • Colorado Rockies
    • Los Angeles Dodgers
    • San Diego Padres
    • San Francisco Giants
    American
    East
    • Baltimore Orioles
    • Boston Red Sox
    • New York Yankees
    • Tampa Bay Rays
    • Toronto Blue Jays
    Central
    • Chicago White Sox
    • Cleveland Guardians
    • Detroit Tigers
    • Kansas City Royals
    • Minnesota Twins
    West
    • Athletics
    • Houston Astros
    • Los Angeles Angels
    • Seattle Mariners
    • Texas Rangers
  • NCAAF
  • NHL
    Eastern
    Metropolitan
    • Carolina Hurricanes
    • Columbus Blue Jackets
    • New Jersey Devils
    • New York Islanders
    • New York Rangers
    • Philadelphia Flyers
    • Pittsburgh Penguins
    • Washington Capitals
    Atlantic
    • Boston Bruins
    • Buffalo Sabres
    • Detroit Red Wings
    • Florida Panthers
    • Montreal Canadiens
    • Ottawa Senators
    • Tampa Bay Lightning
    • Toronto Maple Leafs
    Western
    Central
    • Chicago Blackhawks
    • Colorado Avalanche
    • Dallas Stars
    • Minnesota Wild
    • Nashville Predators
    • St. Louis Blues
    • Utah Mammoth
    • Winnipeg Jets
    Pacific
    • Anahiem Ducks
    • Calgary Flames
    • Edmonton Oilers
    • Los Angeles Kings
    • San Jose Sharks
    • Seattle Kraken
    • Vancouver Canucks
    • Vegas Golden Knights
  • HBCU
  • Women's Sports
  • WNBA
  • NCAAB
  • Gaming
  • Entertainment
  • Soccer
  • NCAA Sports
  • Fantasy
  • UFC
  • Golf
  • WWE
  • Newsletters
  • Community
  • Clutch Games
  • Sneakers
  • Clutch Covers
  • Quizzes
  • Videos
  • Podcasts
Get The App
  • NBA
  • Houston Rockets

Charles Barkley doesn’t think James Harden would be fun to play with

By 
Apr 28, 2016 at 4:18 PM ET
Google News Preferred Source
featured-image

After making some strong comments disparaging the Houston Rockets, Charles Barkley apologized to the front office with a series of statements saying his comments were inaccurate. However, he’s still taking shots at the team itself, especially James Harden.

RELATED: Charles Barkley writes off Rockets, literally

A year after reaching the Western Conference Finals, the Rockets barely managed to sneak into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season. Then, despite Stephen Curry going down with a knee injury, they were torn to shreds by the Warriors in five games in the first round.

On Inside the NBA after the game, Barkley went after Harden for the Rockets’ struggles, and not because of his abilities.

“(Harden) is a terrific player, but I'm not sure I would want to play with him,” Barkley said. “When you play for the Golden State Warriors, you feel a part of the team … But James Harden, he wouldn't be fun to play with because nobody wants to come to practice everyday to watch him dribble, dribble, dribble, or come to the basket, or step back and shoot the three.”

Charles Barkley has some HARSH words for James Harden. https://t.co/X7ZLf3gqgY

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) April 28, 2016

Even though Harden had a solid series statistically with 29 points, 7.5 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game, the team’s chemistry and performance in other areas were severely lacking. Whether it’s fair or not, star players end up being cited for the play of their teammates, especially in basketball.
Harden was humble after the game, admitting that there’s plenty of room for him and the team to improve.

“I think every player, every great player goes through it. It's an opportunity to get better. I'll come back as a better basketball player,” Harden told reporters. “It was a frustrating year. A lot of ups. A lot of downs. I have to be better next year.”

More Houston Rockets News
Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks to pass as Brooklyn Nets guard Drake Powell (4) defends during the second half at Barclays Center.
Houston Rockets
Rockets’ Kevin Durant makes franchise history at age 37 vs. NetsAlex House · 48 minutes ago
Rockets forward Kevin Durant laughs
Houston Rockets
Rockets’ Kevin Durant zings rookie after crazy brick hit him in the faceJedd Pagaduan · 2 hours ago
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) goes up for a dunk in front of Brooklyn Nets center Nic Claxton (33) during the first half at Barclays Center.
Houston Rockets
Rockets’ Alperen Sengun scores first 2026 NBA bucket after sweet moveRichard Pereira · 2 hours ago
Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) leaves the court following the game against the Sacramento Kings at Toyota Center.
NBA
Alperen Sengun, Michael Porter Jr. headline long Rockets-Nets injury reportMuhammad Arslan · 11 hours ago
Brooklyn Nets guard Egor Demin (8) dribbles the ball against the Utah Jazz during the first quarter at Barclays Center.
Brooklyn Nets
Nets’ Egor Demin ruled out, Michael Porter Jr. questionable for Rockets matchupErik Slater · 1 day ago
Dec 27, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) reacts after a play during the third quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Toyota Center
Houston Rockets
How Tari Eason became the missing piece behind the Rockets’ recent surgeLuke Mauro · 1 day ago
You may also like
How Rockets’ Kevin Durant is helping Jabari Smith Jr unlock his offensive gameHow Rockets’ Kevin Durant is helping Jabari Smith Jr unlock his offensive game2 days ago
NBA rumors: Why Lakers, Rockets aren’t likely Chris Paul landing spotsNBA rumors: Why Lakers, Rockets aren’t likely Chris Paul landing spots4 days ago
Is Alperen Sengun playing tonight? Rockets vs. Cavs injury reportIs Alperen Sengun playing tonight? Rockets vs. Cavs injury report5 days ago
Rockets’ Tari Eason drops ‘amazing’ truth bomb on getting start vs. LakersRockets’ Tari Eason drops ‘amazing’ truth bomb on getting start vs. Lakers6 days ago
Lakers’ Austin Reaves ruled out for rest of Rockets game with concerning injuryLakers’ Austin Reaves ruled out for rest of Rockets game with concerning injury1 week ago
Lakers’ Marcus Smart returns to Rockets game after injury scareLakers’ Marcus Smart returns to Rockets game after injury scare1 week ago
Kendrick Perkins has more Finals confidence in Rockets than LakersKendrick Perkins has more Finals confidence in Rockets than Lakers1 week ago
The 10 NBA Christmas teams must turn these lumps of coal into miracle giftsThe 10 NBA Christmas teams must turn these lumps of coal into miracle gifts1 week ago
Rockets’ Dorian Finney-Smith will make season debut on Christmas vs. LakersRockets’ Dorian Finney-Smith will make season debut on Christmas vs. Lakers1 week ago
Luka Doncic, Alperen Sengun both active for Lakers-Rockets Christmas Day showdownLuka Doncic, Alperen Sengun both active for Lakers-Rockets Christmas Day showdown1 week ago
Rockets wanted championship spotlight — Lakers might expose them on ChristmasRockets wanted championship spotlight — Lakers might expose them on Christmas1 week ago
Rockets HC Ime Udoka jabs Clippers while blasting his own team after embarrassing lossRockets HC Ime Udoka jabs Clippers while blasting his own team after embarrassing loss1 week ago
Charles BarkleyJames Harden
Just In
Indiana is clear national title favorite after dominating Alabama in Rose Bowl rout.3m
Giants legend Eli Manning shares video of hilarious hoverboard fail5m
Ole Miss football stuns Georgia with 2nd-half comeback to advance to CFP semis15m
Colts QB Philip Rivers’ reflection before final NFL game will give fans the feels31m
Rockets’ Kevin Durant makes franchise history at age 37 vs. Nets48m
Want more NBA rumors?

🚨 Join thousands of fans and get the hottest NBA rumors, breaking news and exclusive insider scoops with the Clutch Newsletter.

ClutchPoints Logo
HomeTerms of ServiceAboutPrivacy PolicyContact UsDMCA PolicyPressEthics and StandardsAdvertiseTeamSitemap
Follow Us
Copyright © ClutchPoints.