Kevin Durant butted heads with James Harden last season
First, there was the whole Kyrie Irving vaccination mess. Also, Harden and Durant, according to multiple Nets sources, butted heads during the season – Durant didn’t think Harden was in peak physical shape, and told him as much; Harden, meanwhile, struggled to adjust to an ecosystem where everything was no longer catered to him. According to a friend, Harden also became frustrated with the Nets training staff and its focus on maintenance, rest and recovery; after all, in Houston he’d run stadium stairs and lift – even after games sometimes – and he never got hurt.
Source: Yaron Weitzman @ FoxSports.com
Source: Yaron Weitzman @ FoxSports.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
How Tyler Herro put himself in Heat record book . . . and alongside Steph Curry and James Harden sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 1:38 PM
How Tyler Herro put himself in Heat record book . . . and alongside Steph Curry and James Harden sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… – 1:38 PM
Mike Vorkunov @MikeVorkunov
Bol Bol has been one of the NBA’s biggest revelations this year, a 7-2 anomaly in a league of outliers. He does things that don’t make sense.
Kevin Durant: “He’s unique.”
Wrote about the Bol Bol experience and why he’s flourishing with the Orlando Magic. theathletic.com/3994907/2022/1… – 12:11 PM
Bol Bol has been one of the NBA’s biggest revelations this year, a 7-2 anomaly in a league of outliers. He does things that don’t make sense.
Kevin Durant: “He’s unique.”
Wrote about the Bol Bol experience and why he’s flourishing with the Orlando Magic. theathletic.com/3994907/2022/1… – 12:11 PM
Lev Akabas @LevAkabas
A bunch of interesting notes on this #dataviz:
• Warriors with a fully open Chase Center 🔥
• Rockets’ revenue dipped after trading Harden
• Overall revenue dropped about 30% due to COVID ($215M average in 2020-21 vs. $304M in 2018-19) pic.twitter.com/Qt0Sn5jtKv – 12:00 PM
A bunch of interesting notes on this #dataviz:
• Warriors with a fully open Chase Center 🔥
• Rockets’ revenue dipped after trading Harden
• Overall revenue dropped about 30% due to COVID ($215M average in 2020-21 vs. $304M in 2018-19) pic.twitter.com/Qt0Sn5jtKv – 12:00 PM
Ira Winderman @IraHeatBeat
How Tyler Herro put himself in Heat record book . . . and alongside Steph Curry and James Harden sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Plus: Winning on defense; and Haslem’s moment in starting spotlight. – 11:07 AM
How Tyler Herro put himself in Heat record book . . . and alongside Steph Curry and James Harden sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… Plus: Winning on defense; and Haslem’s moment in starting spotlight. – 11:07 AM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
James Harden is putting in some work after shootaround this morning #Sixers pic.twitter.com/QG6Yx2BnMa – 11:01 AM
James Harden is putting in some work after shootaround this morning #Sixers pic.twitter.com/QG6Yx2BnMa – 11:01 AM
Gina Mizell @ginamizell
“We have Joel Embiid and James (Harden). We’re not going to win the Olympics. But we can play at a great pace.”
How the Sixers define pace (hint: it’s more nuanced than possessions per game), and why they are hitting their stride right now inquirer.com/sports/sixers-… – 10:29 AM
“We have Joel Embiid and James (Harden). We’re not going to win the Olympics. But we can play at a great pace.”
How the Sixers define pace (hint: it’s more nuanced than possessions per game), and why they are hitting their stride right now inquirer.com/sports/sixers-… – 10:29 AM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Most 3-pointers, 2-day span:
19 – Tyler Herro, 2022
18 – Steph, 2013
17 – Steph, 2019
17 – Kyrie, 2015
Most 3-pointers, 2-game span:
22 – Steph, 2016
21 – Steph, 2021
21 – Steph, 2021
20 – Steph, 2017
20 – Harden, 2019
19 – Tyler Herro, 2022
19 – Dame, 2020
19 – Steph, 2019 – 10:01 AM
Most 3-pointers, 2-day span:
19 – Tyler Herro, 2022
18 – Steph, 2013
17 – Steph, 2019
17 – Kyrie, 2015
Most 3-pointers, 2-game span:
22 – Steph, 2016
21 – Steph, 2021
21 – Steph, 2021
20 – Steph, 2017
20 – Harden, 2019
19 – Tyler Herro, 2022
19 – Dame, 2020
19 – Steph, 2019 – 10:01 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Tyler Herro scored a career-high 41 points with 10 3P made last night.
Herro is the third player in NBA history to make at least nine 3P in back-to-back games:
Curry (5x)
Harden (2x)
Herro
He’s the only one to do so on back-to-back days.
More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes… – 9:08 AM
Tyler Herro scored a career-high 41 points with 10 3P made last night.
Herro is the third player in NBA history to make at least nine 3P in back-to-back games:
Curry (5x) Harden (2x) HerroHe’s the only one to do so on back-to-back days.
More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes… – 9:08 AM
Yaron Weitzman @YaronWeitzman
Almost a week had passed since the season had come to an end and James Harden still wasn’t returning anyone’s calls.
“He was broken,” one friend of Harden’s said. “It was bad. He was really hurting.”
New story, for @FOXSports:
foxsports.com/stories/nba/ja… – 8:15 AM
Almost a week had passed since the season had come to an end and James Harden still wasn’t returning anyone’s calls.
“He was broken,” one friend of Harden’s said. “It was bad. He was really hurting.”
New story, for @FOXSports:
foxsports.com/stories/nba/ja… – 8:15 AM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
James Harden: “If we’re out here and every body is on a different page and has their own individual agendas — that goes for any team — the offense isn’t going to be successful. It doesn’t matter how many great players you have on the team.”
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 12:00 AM
James Harden: “If we’re out here and every body is on a different page and has their own individual agendas — that goes for any team — the offense isn’t going to be successful. It doesn’t matter how many great players you have on the team.”
inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… – 12:00 AM
Anthony Chiang @Anthony_Chiang
Per Heat: Tyler Herro became just the third player in NBA history to hit at least nine three-pointers in consecutive games (joining only Stephen Curry and James Harden) and the first ever to do it on a back-to-back. – 11:22 PM
Per Heat: Tyler Herro became just the third player in NBA history to hit at least nine three-pointers in consecutive games (joining only Stephen Curry and James Harden) and the first ever to do it on a back-to-back. – 11:22 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
In the last three-game stretch, James Harden has averaged 14.3 assists, distributing the ball well while still getting his points.
If Harden stays in this groove, #Sixers could be a force inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 8:50 PM
In the last three-game stretch, James Harden has averaged 14.3 assists, distributing the ball well while still getting his points.
If Harden stays in this groove, #Sixers could be a force inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 8:50 PM
Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
If James Harden stays in this groove, Sixers could be a force inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 8:48 PM
If James Harden stays in this groove, Sixers could be a force inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-… via @phillyinquirer – 8:48 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Now you can listen AND watch @TermineRadio & @Eddie Johnson – watch them live now till 7p ET on the @NBA App!
Today’s Topics: Knicks five game winning streak, Steph Curry’s injury (expected to miss a few weeks), Draymond’s ejection, KD and more…
📱💻📺 https://t.co/yw8JniYPBX pic.twitter.com/c3Gw6LHceo – 4:24 PM
Now you can listen AND watch @TermineRadio & @Eddie Johnson – watch them live now till 7p ET on the @NBA App!
Today’s Topics: Knicks five game winning streak, Steph Curry’s injury (expected to miss a few weeks), Draymond’s ejection, KD and more…
📱💻📺 https://t.co/yw8JniYPBX pic.twitter.com/c3Gw6LHceo – 4:24 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Now you can listen AND watch @TermineRadio & @Eddie Johnson – watch them live now till 7p ET on the @NBA App!
Today Topics: Knicks 5 game winning streak, Steph Curry’s injury (expected to miss a few weeks), KD, Dame Lillard and more…
📱💻📺 https://t.co/yw8JniZnrv pic.twitter.com/FkXYPMcFf1 – 4:08 PM
Now you can listen AND watch @TermineRadio & @Eddie Johnson – watch them live now till 7p ET on the @NBA App!
Today Topics: Knicks 5 game winning streak, Steph Curry’s injury (expected to miss a few weeks), KD, Dame Lillard and more…
📱💻📺 https://t.co/yw8JniZnrv pic.twitter.com/FkXYPMcFf1 – 4:08 PM
Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
Joel Embiid and James Harden is working on their 3-point jumper #Sixers pic.twitter.com/89e29Pwfmw – 12:28 PM
Joel Embiid and James Harden is working on their 3-point jumper #Sixers pic.twitter.com/89e29Pwfmw – 12:28 PM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
East RPR Predictor All-Stars
STARTERS
Donovan Mitchell
Jaylen Brown
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Kevin Durant
BENCH
Trae Young
Tyrese Haliburton
Giannis Antetokounmpo
DeMar DeRozan
Pascal Siakam
Darius Garland
Jalen Brunson
ALTERNATES
Kristaps Porzingis
Bam Adebayo
Jimmy Butler pic.twitter.com/mG3qfwam7R – 11:27 AM
East RPR Predictor All-Stars
STARTERS
Donovan Mitchell
Jaylen Brown
Joel Embiid
Jayson Tatum
Kevin Durant
BENCH
Trae Young
Tyrese Haliburton
Giannis Antetokounmpo
DeMar DeRozan
Pascal Siakam
Darius Garland
Jalen Brunson
ALTERNATES
Kristaps Porzingis
Bam Adebayo
Jimmy Butler pic.twitter.com/mG3qfwam7R – 11:27 AM
NBA Math @NBA_Math
Dec. 15 RPR MVP predictor:
1. Luka Doncic: 16.3
2. Anthony Davis: 16.0
3. Stephen Curry: 15.4
4. Joel Embiid: 15.2
5. Jayson Tatum: 15.2
6. Kevin Durant: 14.6
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 14.5
8. Nikola Jokic: 14.1
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 13.4
10. Devin Booker: 13.2 pic.twitter.com/hJs2Ph6WKP – 11:15 AM
Dec. 15 RPR MVP predictor:
1. Luka Doncic: 16.3
2. Anthony Davis: 16.0
3. Stephen Curry: 15.4
4. Joel Embiid: 15.2
5. Jayson Tatum: 15.2
6. Kevin Durant: 14.6
7. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 14.5
8. Nikola Jokic: 14.1
9. Giannis Antetokounmpo: 13.4
10. Devin Booker: 13.2 pic.twitter.com/hJs2Ph6WKP – 11:15 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Check out this week’s Forward Progress on SiriusXM Sports!
🏀 Brittney is Home
🏀 #CoachesvsRacism – HBCU Roundball Classic
🏀 Kevin Durant Donates to HBCU
🏈 T.C.Taylor Replaces Deion Sanders
Listen Here 📻 https://t.co/4WWVn8Sfvj pic.twitter.com/x8okEUUMdk – 9:55 AM
Check out this week’s Forward Progress on SiriusXM Sports!
🏀 Brittney is Home
🏀 #CoachesvsRacism – HBCU Roundball Classic
🏀 Kevin Durant Donates to HBCU
🏈 T.C.Taylor Replaces Deion Sanders
Listen Here 📻 https://t.co/4WWVn8Sfvj pic.twitter.com/x8okEUUMdk – 9:55 AM
Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Wow. Taurean Prince took it back to the KD 2s 👀 pic.twitter.com/PYX69hUdkO – 10:42 PM
Wow. Taurean Prince took it back to the KD 2s 👀 pic.twitter.com/PYX69hUdkO – 10:42 PM
Matt Babcock @MattBabcock11
Not every day does one see an all-time great right before they become a household name, which is why I’ll never forget the first time I saw Kevin Durant before his freshman season began at Texas.
Check out the full podcast episode to hear more: https://t.co/bZY0a1JHxd pic.twitter.com/GRmeVj6h1t – 3:26 PM
Not every day does one see an all-time great right before they become a household name, which is why I’ll never forget the first time I saw Kevin Durant before his freshman season began at Texas.
Check out the full podcast episode to hear more: https://t.co/bZY0a1JHxd pic.twitter.com/GRmeVj6h1t – 3:26 PM
Brandon Rahbar @BrandonRahbar
The Ringer’s Top 20 NBA Players
1 Giannis
2 Curry
3 Jokic
4 Luka
5 KD
6 Tatum
7 Embiid
8 AD
9. LeBron
10 Ja
11 Booker
12 SGA
13 PG
14 Siakam
15 Zion
16 Butler
17 Mitchell
18 Dame
19 Trae
20 Brown
SGA one spot above the player OKC traded for him (and 5 1st rounders + 2 swaps). – 1:21 PM
The Ringer’s Top 20 NBA Players
1 Giannis
2 Curry
3 Jokic
4 Luka
5 KD
6 Tatum
7 Embiid
8 AD
9. LeBron
10 Ja
11 Booker
12 SGA
13 PG
14 Siakam
15 Zion
16 Butler
17 Mitchell
18 Dame
19 Trae
20 Brown
SGA one spot above the player OKC traded for him (and 5 1st rounders + 2 swaps). – 1:21 PM
Matt Babcock @MattBabcock11
In this episode, I outlined my recent trip to Austin, Texas, and shared some old stories from my previous experiences there. So check it out to hear me talk about Rick Barnes, T.J. Ford, Kevin Durant, the new Moody Center, Dillon Mitchell, and more.
Link: https://t.co/bZY0a1JHxd pic.twitter.com/JN0nRN6D5b – 10:25 AM
In this episode, I outlined my recent trip to Austin, Texas, and shared some old stories from my previous experiences there. So check it out to hear me talk about Rick Barnes, T.J. Ford, Kevin Durant, the new Moody Center, Dillon Mitchell, and more.
Link: https://t.co/bZY0a1JHxd pic.twitter.com/JN0nRN6D5b – 10:25 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
KD this season:
30.0 PPG
6.7 RPG
5.5 APG
55.9 FG%
No one ever had a 30/5/5 season on 55% shooting before. pic.twitter.com/wqDeB42fdt – 3:32 PM
KD this season:
30.0 PPG
6.7 RPG
5.5 APG
55.9 FG%
No one ever had a 30/5/5 season on 55% shooting before. pic.twitter.com/wqDeB42fdt – 3:32 PM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
1st clip is KD citing Brooklyn’s complacency during the 11-game losing streak when shorthanded last season as a reason for his trade request.
2nd clip is KD talking about Brooklyn’s shorthanded win over Indiana Saturday.
Big-time tone shift from Durant. pic.twitter.com/bPcG8N0PdV – 10:23 AM
1st clip is KD citing Brooklyn’s complacency during the 11-game losing streak when shorthanded last season as a reason for his trade request.
2nd clip is KD talking about Brooklyn’s shorthanded win over Indiana Saturday.
Big-time tone shift from Durant. pic.twitter.com/bPcG8N0PdV – 10:23 AM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
Kevin Durant last night:
30 PTS
9 REB
6 AST
Durant has recorded at least 25p/5r/5a in seven of his last nine games.
The only player in NBA history age 34 years or older to record more such games in a nine-game span is LeBron James (8).
More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes… – 10:01 AM
Kevin Durant last night:
30 PTS 9 REB 6 ASTDurant has recorded at least 25p/5r/5a in seven of his last nine games.
The only player in NBA history age 34 years or older to record more such games in a nine-game span is LeBron James (8).
More: open.substack.com/pub/statitudes… – 10:01 AM
More on this storyline
Almost a week had passed since James Harden’s 2021-22 season had come to an end. He still wasn’t returning any calls – friends, family, even his manager and longtime friend Troy Payne. Payne has known Harden for years, so he understood that Harden reacts to year-ending losses by holing up in his Houston home and withdrawing from the world. But this … well, this was different. “He was broken,” one friend of Harden’s said. “It was bad. He was really hurting.” -via FoxSports.com / December 16, 2022
Finally, around Day 10, Payne’s phone buzzed. Harden’s name flashed across the screen. He told Payne that he was hurting, physically but also emotionally, that the previous two years – multiple trades, multiple injuries, multiple playoff failures – had left him drained and deflated, that he was eager to put it all behind him. “The whole two years was a low point. I’ve never really had to deal with something like that,” Harden told me recently. “My body, mentally, physically … It was a lot going on. I mean, basketball is everything to me.” -via FoxSports.com / December 16, 2022
Before we continue, Harden wanted to make something very clear: Any quote you read here was simply a response to a question and not him trying to make any sort of excuses, though he knows that’s how much of what he said is going to be interpreted. “It’s one reason I don’t really like doing interviews,” he said. “Because people will take the smallest thing that I say and basically screw it up and then it becomes a problem.” -via FoxSports.com / December 16, 2022
“I grew up in the backyard of all the H.B.C.U.s,” Paul said. “So, it was natural for me.” During the 2011 N.B.A. lockout, he arranged a de facto All-Star game at Winston-Salem State that featured stars including LeBron James and Kevin Durant, and donated $25,000 to the school. But it wasn’t until 2017 that he really began to think about the help H.B.C.U.s needed. -via New York Times / December 16, 2022
Magic Johnson had a legendary career that was cut short due to illness. So his already impressive stats, in theory, should be even more eye-popping! Kevin Durant, a current NBA superstar, appears to be hot on his heels from a statistical perspective to become a top 5 legend. Magic still holds a fairly comfortable lead over Durant when it comes to Championships and MVPs, the two most heavily weighted stats in our assessment. Durant has some work to do yet to surpass Magic! -via Action Network / December 15, 2022
The Brooklyn Nets have stabilized after a tumultuous start to the season. Kyrie Irving’s tenure with the Nets may end after this season, but several sources believe the team will ride it out. “The last thing they want is to inspire another [Kevin Durant] trade demand,” one executive said. -via Bleacher Report / December 14, 2022