On February 16, Beijing time, Harden was interviewed by the media in Philadelphia, when talking about the situation after the transaction, he praised the new team, and it is not difficult to see from his words that every praise for the new team is almost a satire on the problems existing in the old club, and even bluntly said that going to the Nets was not the first choice, and there was a big intention to tear his face! Next, let's interpret Harden's interview:
1. Bluntly say that the Nets are not their preferred destination
Speaking about joining the 76ers, Harden revealed: "When I was ready to leave the Rockets, Philadelphia was my first choice, but the trade didn't happen at that time. ”
Harden's implication is that being traded to the Nets to join Durant and Irving is not his preferred destination, he himself prefers to join Philadelphia, but the Rockets finally chose the Nets' offer after discussing with the management of the Nets and Philadelphia. The big three of Durant Irving and Harden seem to be strong, but for various reasons, they ultimately failed to win the championship, and finally broke up unhappily, which is a pity.
2. Praised the 76ers for having the right mindset
The reason why he wanted to leave the Nets in the middle of the season is that Harden is tired of the nets' current situation, he wants to seize the time to better launch a championship, and Embiid is playing the best season of his career, so Harden wants to come here to join him.
Asked in an interview if he thought he could win the championship this season, Harden said bluntly: "Of course, the players here have the right mentality"!
Harden's succinct remarks are both an affirmation of the 76ers' current roster and a satire on individual Nets players, and it's easy to remind us of Irving. After all, his reluctance to play the home game has seriously affected the Nets' plans, and management seems to have no choice but to allow him to play part-time.
3. Praise the old Rivers
Coming to Philadelphia, Harden will also become a member of the old Rivers, in the Rockets period, Harden recommended the Rockets to introduce Lao Li to coach, but in the end Lao Li chose Philadelphia. Now, Harden has joined forces with Lao Li as he wishes, and in an interview, he can't help but praise the championship manager: "He is one of the best coaches in basketball history, why don't I want to be led by him?" He makes sure every player knows their role and what they should do! ”
Harden's words are worth reading carefully, although the old Rivers has been reversed many times in the playoffs 3-1 lead, much criticized, but compared with rookie coach Nash, the old Rivers is obviously better. And Harden also specifically pointed out that "Lao Li can ensure that every player knows their role and what to do", this sentence, compared with Nash, I believe it is easy for everyone to understand Harden's intentions. Even if Nash had done a better job of this, the Nets wouldn't have become what they are today.
4. Praise the new teammates' desire to win
Harden praised his teammates in the interview, saying: "It's great to play with people who know how to win and are willing to do whatever it takes to win"!
Why? Are Nets players who don't know how to win and aren't willing to do whatever it takes to win? Not all, but individually! When playing can be turned into part-time work because of faith, where does the so-called desire to survive come from? Where does the so-called at all costs come from? So, when Harden says something like that, it's not hard to see why he chose to leave in this way. It can even be said that the Nets' current situation, he does not want to stay for a moment.
Harden has a reason to leave the Nets, and the Nets' choice to send him away is not necessarily the worst choice! After all, the Nets have also exchanged some players who can help the team in other ways, and if they are properly run-in and the stars remain healthy, the Nets will also be extremely competitive, even worse than when they had Harden in the first half of the season. In a sense, this deal is a relief, even a win-win, for both parties.