James Harden is carrying the Brooklyn Nets right now after Kevin Durant went down with an injury and Kyrie Irving became a part-time player. The Beard landed from Houston tired of being the main guy on the Rockets, and that scenario is happening again in Brooklyn.
In recent days, reports surfaced suggesting that the 2018 NBA MVP is frustrated in Brooklyn, with some pointing out that Kyrie's absence during home games could be a major reason why Harden feels that way.
The player clarified he's frustrated because he wants to win and the Nets have been inconsistent due to a variety of reasons. Among them, he mentioned injuries and COVID-19.
"I don't know about any reports. Of course I'm frustrated because we're not healthy. It's a lot of inconsistency for whatever reason - injuries, COVID, whatever you want to call it...I think everybody in this organization is frustrated, because we are better than what our record is. We should be on the way up. That's all it is... I don't talk to nobody, I have an agent. I don't know reports. If you don't hear from me, then it's reports. I'm frustrated because I want to win, and I'm a competitor. It's pretty simple."
Even after Harden cleared the air, fans keep speculating he's not happy with the ongoing Kyrie's situation. That's how today, Redditor 'Lengune' shared an extract of an old Kyrie Irving video where he talks about Harden's struggles in Houston. Irving explained that he admired Harden for being the guy in Houston, but he won't have to play that role on the Nets.
"When I watched him from afar, I just really admired the way he just handled the burden of being the main guy. And now that he is with us, I don't think he has to feel that way anymore. Day to day, he just knows, who's on his wings, we know where he wants the ball we just let him be him."
Flash forward to January 2022, Harden is trying to survive with the Nets, who lost against the struggling Lakers on Monday night. They are still one of the top squads in the East, but Harden didn't land there to become the same guy he was in Houston. Having a Big 3 should be an advantage for Steve Nash, but so far, the Nets have had more problems than joy.
Kyrie has stated he won't change his stance on the vaccine. Until Kevin Durant returns, Harden will have to be the guy once again, trying to lead the Nets to the 2022 playoffs.
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