Houston Rockets guard James Harden's trade saga has generated a lot of noise in recent weeks, but he was also in headlines for other reasons on Tuesday.
Harden took the floor for the Rockets' matchup against the San Antonio Spurs appearing to have more girth than he has in the past. Pictures of Harden's frame went viral, with plenty pointing to his recent partying in Las Vegas and Atlanta as the potential reason for “The Beard” showing up out of shape.
Longtime NBA center and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins is not as amused.
Perkins chastised Harden for his “lack of professionalism” and even said Harden showed up to camp looking more like him.
I have nothing wrong with James Harden wanting out Houston but I do have problem with his lack of professionalism and how he showed up to camp looking like me!!! That just can’t happen. Carry on… https://t.co/3e5E75OabE
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) December 17, 2020
“Perk” also claimed Harden is being labeled the “new, modern Dennis Rodman.”
Indeed, Harden has certainly created a penchant for drama. Tim MacMahon of ESPN detailed the extent to which the Rockets catered to the former league MVP and let him define the culture. Former staffers even said Harden was bound to cause a fit because “He's never heard ‘no' before.”
Harden sent mixed signals during his first media session on Wednesday. He appeared to praise Rockets head coach Stephen Silas, but was rather mum regarding his showing up late to camp and desire to be traded.
The 31-year-old admitted he is still catching up, which is a given considering how much time he missed on the front end of camp. Meanwhile, Silas has indicated Harden is ready to focus on basketball.
But Perkins seems to feel otherwise, suggesting Harden is not taking his craft seriously in light of the trade requests made to the Rockets.
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