When the Nets announced James Harden would be returning to action against the San Antonio Spurs, I knew the Silver and Black had their work cut out for them. In a March overtime win at the AT&T Center, Harden put up a dominant line of 30 points, 15 assists, and 14 rebounds. Although he came off the bench, he was almost just as devastating on Wednesday night.
But this isn't about Harden's in-game play. We all know the kind of game regular-season James Harden possesses. On Wednesday, he extended perhaps a more impressive streak: being extremely unlikable. Late in the third quarter, Harden committed this foul against a mid-air Dejounte Murray:
While that angle doesn't show the full story, this one captured by @TheTyJager certainly does.
It's tough to say what's more annoying at first glance, the dangerous foul itself or the look of disbelief on Harden's face? As Murray put it in a since-deleted Tweet, Harden definitely tried to "Play victim like a suckaaaaaaa!"
There's certainly no love lost between Murray and Harden, who had a dust-up in a December 2019 matchup at the Toyota Center.
Dejounte Murray and Harden going at it ? pic.twitter.com/kIwlZutmI2
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 17, 2019
This is without question one of my favorite Murray moments ever, as it showed his "not-backing-down" attitude at an early age.
If Harden's on-court antics like this aren't enough to annoy you, the way he treated the organization that made him what he is should be more than enough. Nope, I'm not only talking about stuff like this:
James Harden ignored Nenê like three times ? pic.twitter.com/ALgjJvumow
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 6, 2017
But the way Harden jumped ship out of Houston after his own recruitment of Russell Westbrook didn't work out was a terrible look.
"I love this city. I've literally done everything I can. This situation is crazy. It’s something I don’t think can be fixed. Thanks."
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 13, 2021
—James Harden on the Rockets pic.twitter.com/LcPLn09TgE
If that's still not enough, there's also this postgame answer he gave just yesterday.
“Not to, like, brag or anything, but I’m really good at this game.”
— FanSided (@FanSided) May 13, 2021
Harden is confident in what he does. ?
(via @SNYNets)pic.twitter.com/gvuVrnwjuo
Over the years, I've often seen Rockets fans questioning why Spurs fans can't let go of Manu Ginobili's clutch block on Harden in the 2017 NBA Playoffs. The simple answer? Because it couldn't have happened to a more irritating player. I'm sure you know the play I'm talking about, but here it is anyway.
OTD in 2017, Manu Ginobili came up CLUTCH with a game-winning block on James Harden before the buzzer! ?? pic.twitter.com/3OQAPisLH2
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 9, 2019
Luckily, with James now chasing a ring in the Eastern Conference, the Spurs will only have to deal with him twice a year for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, here's a must-rewatch tweet just because.
Harden, Ginobili and...Bow Wow? #BRBestOf2017 pic.twitter.com/DS5LIGrKvK
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 28, 2017
We'll see you next year, James. Unfortunately.