Tim MacMahon joined Zach Lowe’s Podcast to continue his James Harden to Houston speculation with very little to no actual information
In news that isn’t really news at all, Tim MacMahon is again, talking about James Harden and the possibility of him returning to the Houston Rockets in 2023.
Zach Lowe had MacMahon on the “The Lowe Post”to discuss Harden’s “interest” in the Rockets. (h/t Sixers Wire / Rockets Wire)
Do the Rockets have interest in bringing Harden back?
MacMahon: The people I talk to in Houston acknowledge “Well, hey, we’d have to have discussions about fit and if it’s the best path, blah blah blah.”
But the simple fact of the matter is, Tilman Fertitta’s patience is limited. This is the third year of what he anticipated and expected to be a three-year rebuild. And, by the way, the benefits of being bad are gone after this year, unless they’re really bad and lucky in the lottery… because next year’s pick [2024] is due to OKC, top-four-protected, from the Chris Paul-Russell Westbrook trade.
Good rule of thumb: If you’re taking the “blah blah blah” path when telling people what people in Houston have told you about Harden coming back to Houston, then don’t expect anyone to take you seriously.
Does James Harden really want to go back to Houston?
MacMahon: It was interesting to me. When Harden was asked about this after their Christmas Day win, he basically said, Hey, things are going well in Philly, I don’t know where that came from.
He didn’t say, “It ain’t happening.” He didn’t shoot it down. [It was] “I don’t know where that came from, and I didn’t want this out there yet.”
These guys are something else. Basically their reasoning is that when Harden addressed the initial report, because he didn’t say “It ain’t happening” so it must actually be on the table. MacMahon then suggested Harden was basically saying “I don’t know where that came from, and I didn’t want this out there yet.” which literally couldn’t be further from the truth.
Here’s what James Harden said on Christmas following the Knicks game, which seems a lot different than whatever Tim MacMahon is saying, right?
“I’m here,” he stated. “We’re playing very well and I don’t know where that report came from, but I’m excited to be here and we’re playing very well. We’re continuing to get better.” via USA Today
James Harden on Video
Originally tweeted by David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) on December 25, 2022.
Will both Harden and the Rockets consider it?
MacMahon: I would call it emotional and impatient, but impossible I would not call it.
Lowe: Oh, they’ll consider it. 100 percent.
MacMahon: 100 percent, they will consider it.
Note: OBVIOUSLY THE ROCKETS WOULD CONSIDER IT. THIS MEANS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
Honestly, I have no idea why this is even a topic of conversation. Joel Embiid and James Harden are working like white on rice and bread on butter. This entire conversation is just clickbait nonsense and I apologize that I have to write about it and you have to read it. It makes zero sense and holds zero weight, much like this call the refs made last night in D.C.
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