The Brooklyn Nets are set to host Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets at Barclays Center. They are 29-18 in third place in the East, but just one full game out of first place behind both the Chicago Bulls and Miami Heat. The problem is that Steve Nash's men have a rare away-court advantage: Kevin Durant is dealing with an MCL sprain and figures to be out beyond the All-Star break. Joe Harris has had a setback from rehabbing his ankle and may have a similar timetable for return. Kyrie Irving is out for home games, so that leaves James Harden as the only member of the Big 3 to battle the reigning MVP in Jokic.
Oh, and Harden is dealing with constant trade rumors in case he didn't already have enough on his plate. A recent Bleacher Report article from Jake Fischer had us all wondering if the California native is unhappy in Brooklyn.
“But Harden has recently informed several confidants—including former teammates and coaches—of his interest in exploring other opportunities outside of Brooklyn this summer, league sources told Bleacher Report.
“James isn't going to hold back,” said a person familiar with Harden. “He's gonna tell you where he stands.”
Harden has been vocal to Nets figures and close contacts alike about his frustrations regarding Kyrie Irving‘s part-time playing status. A recent injury to Kevin Durant has exacerbated the issue, leaving Harden to shoulder the majority of the offensive burden during Brooklyn home games.”
Don't panic, because we still think there are some terrific reasons Harden won't be traded for Philadelphia 76ers' disgruntled star Ben Simmons, whose name has been consistently linked in rumors with the Nets point guard.
Still, there are a few things the Nets should do to avoid such a fate and keep Harden as happy as possible.
https://twitter.com/franciszomes/status/1486096527143669773?s=20
Harden had a strong reaction when asked whether or not he'd heard of these reports after a 106-96 loss to LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook and the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday.
Prior to the Nuggets game, Harden popped up on the injury report with left hamstring tightness. He is questionable with the issue (Fear not, this isn't the same hammy he spent rehabbing all summer. That was the right one, which suffered the grade two strain and limited him severely during the 2021 playoffs).
Before the Nuggets game Nash was asked, amid frustrations James exhibited while addressing reports he's now unhappy in Brooklyn: is Harden as happy now as he was when the Nets acquired him just over a year ago?
“Yeah, I think James is happy to be here,” said Steve Nash, who then went on to acknowledge some frustrations.
“I just think it's frustrating right now cause we haven't been playing great ball, we've had a lot of injuries we've had a lot of illness, a lot of guys in and out of the lineup, a lot of chop and change. So that can be frustrating for sure to not have that kind of consistency to build on and we haven't had our best performances, we've had a few but not – ever since the COVID return it's been very, let's say average basketball overall so we have higher expectations and it's frustrating but I think James is happy here, for sure.”
"I think James is happy to be here I just think it's frustrating right now…we have higher expectations and I thin it's frustrating but I think James is happy here for sure."
–#Nets Steve Nash was asked if James Harden is as happy now as he was when he first got to Brooklyn. pic.twitter.com/neIhJ6b2Dp
— DaveEarly (@DavidEarly) January 26, 2022
Brooklyn has been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA since the COVID “break” that Nash mentioned. What was once the team's identity earlier in the season has deteriorated over time. Durant's value as a wing stopper and rim protector has only been highlighted in his recent absence.
It's understandable James Harden would be frustrated right now. But the coach claims he does not believe the ASU product is any less content than January 2021. Some recent reports suggest otherwise. Take it all for what it's worth.
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