The extra vacations That was taken on his own by the star guard of the Houston Rockets, James Harden, reached their end this Monday when he had to do his first training, but before he had to go face to face with the new coach of the team, Stephen Silas.
Silas, who had given Harden what he called his “space” to reflect on the transfer request what he has requested from the team and what he wanted to do in the near future, this time he was forthright in communicating that the time to work hard had come.
“We had a good conversation, in which things were very clear on both sides,” Silas told reporters after completing the training. “The logic of what a good professional relationship should be was given.”
However, Silas clarified that they did not speak of the transfer request that James has made to the directors of the team.
“You can ask him about his commitment and all those kinds of things related to work within the team,” said Silas, who has not been in regular communication with Harden, since he has not wanted to get involved in the reflection that the player will have to do about looking to the future.
Silas also acknowledged that Harden had made his points, saw him focused and with clear ideas of what he wanted so in the end it was a good conversation.
The new Rockets coach stressed that the subject of his conversation with Harden was limited to basketball strategy and how he wants his contribution to be as positive as possible for the team.
“We talk about basketball“Silas reiterated.” I am a basketball coach and he is a basketball player .. In terms of his commitment to what we are doing, in terms of basketball, he was the center of our conversation.
Silas repeated that “as for the rumors and all the other things, I cannot speak, again, every question related to Harden’s future, the only one who can answer it will be himself.”
But reporters will have to wait for that moment in the next few days, as Harden chose not to speak to the media after completing the training.
Silas said the plan is for Harden to play in the preseason game tomorrow, Tuesday, against the San Antonio Spurs.
Harden, who according to sources requested to be traded to the Brooklyn Nets or the Philadelphia Sixers, was late to training camp and was not allowed to join the team until Monday after he tested negative for the coronavirus for six consecutive days.
Who also trained was the veteran power forward PJTucker, who did not accompany the team on its visit to Chicago to play the first two preparation games.
Tucker said he had had some physical problems, but he was fine and ready to fulfill the last year of his contract that he still has of the four he signed for $ 32 million.
Precisely, not having received an extension proposal is something that has frustrated Tucker, who hoped to continue with the Rockets longer.
“It’s not even about getting a contract extension,” said Tucker, 35, an indispensable player who hasn’t missed a game during his three years in Houston. “That is not the total goal.”
Tucker claimed that the “goal” of any professional is to be in a place where they love you and know how to appreciate the effort and work you do.
“You want to be with whoever loves you. I think that’s what all players want,” Tucker stressed. “Nobody wants to be in a place that knows that their contribution no longer has any kind of recognition.”
The veteran player explained that “there are certain ways to show it, and it is not just contract extensions.”
But Tucker reiterated that whatever happens with the contract extension, he was ready to do his job.
