Wild details emerge from 76ers, James Harden standoff
Further details are emerging from Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden's surprise decision Wednesday to rejoin the team after 10 days away from the group.
The former MVP had been MIA to address a personal matter, which was deemed an excused absence. Speculation ran rampant on what the reason for Harden's disappearance was though, due to his summer trade request and ongoing clash with Sixers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey.
Philadelphia starts their season-opening two-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night and while Harden won't be in uniform (or even in the same city as his teammates), it wasn't for a lack of trying.
According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, the 10-time All-Star tried to board the western-bound flight with the rest of the team on Wednesday, only to be rejected by security.
Per Haynes, during a "light shooting session" on Wednesday at the Sixers' practice facility in Camden, New Jersey, Harden was "approached by team officials."
"He was told it would be beneficial for him to remain in Philadelphia to continue the ramp-up process as opposed to going with the team on their two-game road trip starting with the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night, league sources tell Bleacher Report," Haynes wrote.
According to the report, the 34-year-old returned to the organization with the "intention of reacclimating himself," knowing that his primary workout trainer (Rico Hines) would be "traveling along with the rest of the supporting staff. Haynes added that at first, Harden and his camp took the message of not joining on the road trip as a "suggestion rather than a mandate."
Philadelphia general manager Elton Brand and head coach Nick Nurse reportedly talked with Harden and told him that the team "prefers he accepts and follows their workout plan, which includes staying at the practice facility while the team is away."
"It was expounded that the workout program includes monitoring his measurables and speed with their tracking system, which is located at the facility. The Sixers' two-way players would also be staying back in Philadelphia with Harden, as well as a trainer with whom he regularly works."
Harden was reportedly "frustrated" when he was turned away by security but left the airport "without further incident."
Despite all of the drama, the lefty has reportedly not been fined for any of his absences.
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