Harden practices for first time, mum as rumors swirl
HOUSTON » James Harden practiced with the Houston Rockets Monday for the first time this season after missing the early part of camp while talk swirls that he wants out.
Harden reported to camp late amid reports he is looking to be traded. He was absent for Houston’s first two preseason games as he went through the NBA’s COVID-19 testing protocols.
Coach Stephen Silas said he spoke with the superstar, but they talked strictly basketball and neither addressed a possible trade.
“We had a good conversation and I’m just going to leave it at that,” Silas said. “You can ask him about his commitment and all that sort of thing. But we had a good conversation. He was locked in. He was asking good questions. He’s bringing up good points.”
So far asking Harden anything hasn’t been an option — the Beard hasn’t spoken to reporters since reporting to camp.
Silas said that Harden will make his preseason debut Tuesday night when the Rockets host the Spurs.
The Rockets traded Russell Westbrook to Washington for John Wall and a firstround pick on Dec. 2 to cap a short offseason that was plagued by rumors that both Westbrook and Harden wanted to leave Houston. Some thought the Westbrook trade would change Harden’s mind about the Rockets, but the reports that he wants to leave have persisted in the almost two weeks since the deal.
Silas, in his first year in Houston after taking over for Mike D’Antoni, has said he expects Harden to be “all in” this season. The coach also denied that speculation about the eight-time AllStar’s future has been a distraction to the team.
Veteran P.J. Tucker also practiced Monday after missing the first two preseason games. He is being worked in slowly after he reported to camp a day late.
Tucker is in the final year of a four-year, $31.8 million contract and some have suggested he is also unhappy in Houston because he hasn’t been given an extension.
Irving ends media silence, praises Nash
NEW YORK » Kyrie Irving spoke to reporters for the first time this season, clarifying that he wasn’t referring to the media last week when he said he doesn’t talk to pawns.
A day after making a strong preseason debut for the Brooklyn Nets, Irving spoke for more than 15 minutes via Zoom. Irving had not done any interviews since NBA teams began holding media sessions on Dec. 1. Both he and the Nets were fined $25,000 last week for his refusal to do league-mandated media availabilities.
He responded with an Instagram post in which he appeared to be criticizing the media when he said he doesn’t talk to pawns.
“It’s just really how I felt about the mistreatment of certain artists when we get to a certain platform,” Irving said, adding that he wanted “full control” of his message.
The All-Star guard added that he wanted to avoid distractions as he and Kevin Durant return from injuries for their first season playing together. Irving was sharp Sunday, scoring 18 points in the first half in a victory over Washington.
He also praised first-year
coach Steve Nash. While doing a podcast with Durant this summer, he had said the Nets didn’t see themselves as having a coach.
“I think I’ve got to take back my comments in terms of the head coach a few months ago,” Irving said. “But it’s just like, man, we have such a great synergy. Everyone feels like we’re coaching one another to be better.”
Magic to allow limited crowd at home
ORLANDO,FLA.» The Orlando Magic plan to have 4,000 fans in seats for regular sea
son games, with strict adherence to social distancing and other health protocols.
The team will build up to 4,000, with no fans other than family members of the Magic organization permitted for the preseason and then smaller crowds for the first five regular season home contests.
“The health and safety of everyone connected to our game will be top priority,” Magic CEO Alex Martins said. “Our goal is to make everyone feel comfortable that extensive safety precautions have been taken for the return to Amway Center.”