Brooklyn Nets head coach Steve Nash is not concerned with James Harden's broodiness prior to his departure from Houston.
Nash deflected questions about Harden's ugly Rockets breakup, instead pointing out “The Beard” was the face of the franchise for a number of seasons:
“I think James carried that team for many years,” Nash said, via Alex Schiffer of The Athletic.
Nash also said the past couple of weeks are “irrelevant” in judging Harden, via Taylor Rooks of Bleacher Report.
Steve Nash is asked if there was any trepidation regarding Harden.
He says James carried Houston for many years and gave them everything he had. Thinks the past couple weeks is a sample size that is fairly irrelevant when it comes to judging him— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) January 15, 2021
Naturally, Nash is not going to chastise his newly acquired star before he has played a single game for the Nets. Moreover, the two-time NBA MVP knew what he signed up for in agreeing to coach personalities like Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, even before Harden joined the fray.
Harden was downright disengaged in his final few games with the Rockets. Whereas he was dominant in his first couple appearances, Harden had been far more inefficient before being shipped off to Brooklyn.
However, the 31-year-old is entering an entirely new situation. Leaving Houston and once again joining forces with Durant should be enough to motivate Harden going forward. So, too, should the obvious opportunity the Nets have to win an NBA championship.
With Harden on board, Brooklyn has three of arguably the five best shot-creators in the entire NBA. If Harden gels with Durant and Irving, the Nets are going to be almost impossible to guard on the offensive end of the floor.
It will be on Nash to ensure all the pieces fit together, but he does not seem concerned by Harden's attitude as the former league MVP prepares to join the Nets.
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