James Harden spent last weekend partying with rapper and songwriter Lil Baby in Las Vegas instead of reporting for Houston Rockets training camp. His actions have drawn the ire of former NBA forward Stephen Jackson.
The “All The Smoke” host chastised Harden on Instagram, saying it is a bad look for “The Beard” to skip out on camp after the Rockets hired a Black head coach in Stephen Silas:
“The Rockets finally get a young Black coach, a young Black coach gets an opportunity, and you don't want to show up to camp. You don't want to play for him. How's that look?,” Jackson said, via Matt Young of the Houston Chronicle. “And you wonder why every time a Black coach gets a job, they put him in a bulls–t situation. Look at what you're doing.”
Jackson also said a “real one” would play for Silas and give it a go alongside new backcourt mate John Wall, per Young, accusing Harden of “chasing rappers” instead.
The former MVP was reportedly incensed when the Rockets hired Silas over longtime Rockets assistant John Lucas, with whom Harden has a close relationship.
Silas acknowledged Harden's absence at the start of camp was far from ideal, though he was diplomatic in stating the NBA can sometimes be a tension-filled arena.
It remains to be seen what the future has in store for Harden and the Rockets.
Although Harden has added more teams to his list of preferred destinations, Houston has not shown any indication it will trade its top star.
“Jack” might have a point in that Harden has yet to even play for Silas or take in his offensive philosophy. This is a guy who was on Rick Carlisle's staff and helped orchestrate the most efficient offense in the NBA in Dallas.
Regardless, the Harden storyline is likely to swallow most others in the early goings of the 2020-21 season.
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