NBA Investigating Harden Mask-less incident at “Gentleman’s Club"

[Ogaju]

I'd rather let all the facts come out in regards to this incident the OP posted.

Looks like the spotlight is being placed on James Harden a bit....some of it warranted, some of it not.

One also has to wonder if some of the negative press, allegations and rumors are not by design to affect his trade value.

Oftentimes what little we glean from media sources isn't always the entire story.

What potential fact would make him look better here?

Well, he did take to instagram to specify that it wasn't a strip club. Just a club.

Is it really relevant whether it was a strip club or 'just a club'? I really dont know that the difference is particularly relevant here other than just the fact that some people like to stigmatize strip clubs.

[GreenFaith1819]

Do people still want this idiot? Hope he rots on the Rockets bench for the next two years.

This "idiot" is still a bonafide top 5 player in the League and has been for the last few years.

I get the angst regarding him....some of it warranted.

But if he somehow ended up in BOS it would make us a better team.

[Ogaju]

Do people still want this idiot? Hope he rots on the Rockets bench for the next two years.

idiot? is this not a tad bit over the top? Its okay not to like him, but idiot? I am not defending anything he did here, I would like more facts before I offer my opinion but I doubt that opinion would be anywhere close to labelling him an 'idiot'. Considering what this guy has done with his life and with his talent and skill, idiot is a long ways away.

[RJ87]

I'd rather let all the facts come out in regards to this incident the OP posted.

Looks like the spotlight is being placed on James Harden a bit....some of it warranted, some of it not.

One also has to wonder if some of the negative press, allegations and rumors are not by design to affect his trade value.

Oftentimes what little we glean from media sources isn't always the entire story.

What potential fact would make him look better here?

Well, he did take to instagram to specify that it wasn't a strip club. Just a club.

Is it really relevant whether it was a strip club or 'just a club'? I really dont know that the difference is particularly relevant here other than just the fact that some people like to stigmatize strip clubs.

IMO, it's not different at all. The NBA prohibits players from attending events or gatherings with 15+ people. He's in violation regardless. I just thought it was funny that he felt the need to point out that it wasn't a strip club.

Do people still want this idiot? Hope he rots on the Rockets bench for the next two years.

idiot? is this not a tad bit over the top? Its okay not to like him, but idiot? I am not defending anything he did here, I would like more facts before I offer my opinion but I doubt that opinion would be anywhere close to labelling him an 'idiot'. Considering what this guy has done with his life and with his talent and skill, idiot is a long ways away.

I think the idiot label is a bit warranted here. Players party all the time and manage to not get caught on camera. He's an idiot in the sense of he's been caught on camera a handful of times at parties over the past few weeks.

[GreenFaith1819]

What I find HILARIOUS is if this dude somehow ends up in BOS and we win a 'chip because of him I'd gather that folks here wouldn't care what he did in his spare time, LOOL.

LOOK - James Harden needs to be careful regarding covid. Covid is serious and a Star like him should be mindful of it.

He needs to be careful regarding media coverage.

The Media isn't always your friend. That's a shame but it's the way it is.

[GreenFaith1819]

If I recall these top players in the NBA have all enjoyed the "Jerk" title...or "Loser" title or some other nickname -

LeBron, Durant, AD, Harden, Westbrook, Embiid, Simmons, Kyrie, Kawhi, PG13, Luka....

I'd guess that Steph Curry is the resident "Good Guy"? Greek Freak, too?

Maybe Jokic? But Den needs to make it out of the West for a "Top Player" moniker to be earned, right?

The funny thing is that you aren't going to compete for Banners without players on THAT list....I'm sure I'm leaving a few off by mistake.

That's the way it is and has been for a while, now.

[RJ87]

If I recall these top players in the NBA have all enjoyed the "Jerk" title...or "Loser" title or some other nickname -

LeBron, Durant, AD, Harden, Westbrook, Embiid, Simmons, Kyrie, Kawhi, PG13, Luka....

I'd guess that Steph Curry is the resident "Good Guy"? Greek Freak, too?

Maybe Jokic? But Den needs to make it out of the West for a "Top Player" moniker to be earned, right?

The funny thing is that you aren't going to compete for Banners without players on THAT list....I'm sure I'm leaving a few off by mistake.

That's the way it is and has been for a while, now.

What does this have to do with Harden choosing to break league protocol? No one made him go out to a club. No one made him decide to be late for camp so he could party and be photographed doing so. These are all decisions that he is making.

I'm not really interested in the "Harden as a media martyr" spiel. This situation could have been easily avoided. Lebron, Durant, Curry, Giannis - none of those guys are willingly breaking league protocol, and if they did, they'd get just as much flak.

Harden is an adult. Let's not coddle him like a petulant child just because he's acting like one.

[Phantom255x]

This guy is just begging to be traded lol. You honestly have to applaud his efforts.

The night before the Rockets next game he'll probably be in another party

[GreenFaith1819]

If I recall these top players in the NBA have all enjoyed the "Jerk" title...or "Loser" title or some other nickname -

LeBron, Durant, AD, Harden, Westbrook, Embiid, Simmons, Kyrie, Kawhi, PG13, Luka....

I'd guess that Steph Curry is the resident "Good Guy"? Greek Freak, too?

Maybe Jokic? But Den needs to make it out of the West for a "Top Player" moniker to be earned, right?

The funny thing is that you aren't going to compete for Banners without players on THAT list....I'm sure I'm leaving a few off by mistake.

That's the way it is and has been for a while, now.

What does this have to do with Harden choosing to break league protocol? No one made him go out to a club. No one made him decide to be late for camp so he could party and be photographed doing so. These are all decisions that he is making.

I'm not really interested in the "Harden as a media martyr" spiel. This situation could have been easily avoided. Lebron, Durant, Curry, Giannis - none of those guys are willingly breaking league protocol, and if they did, they'd get just as much flak.

Harden is an adult. Let's not coddle him like a petulant child just because he's acting like one.

Then once the facts come out I'm sure the NBA will act accordingly. I'm certainly NOT an advocate of coddling anyone.

Still doesn't change the fact that you're in a MUCH better position to win Banners with someone like Harden.

If the facts dictate that he acted erroneously then punish him and move on. He'll admit his mistake and grow from it, hopefully - if any wrongdoing is found.

Once all the smoke clears you'll STILL have an Ultra-Talented "Idiot" - that is just waiting for the right opportunity and team to lead them to a Banner.

"Idiots"..."Jerks"...."clowns"...."headcases" - are the most talented players in the NBA. A team isn't winning anything without one (or two) of these problem children.

[gift]

This guy is just begging to be traded lol. You honestly have to applaud his efforts.

The night before the Rockets next game he'll probably be in another party

Part of me does want to see how far this drama will go.

[hpantazo]

https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/1341872473458036737?s=19

[nickagneta]

https://twitter.com/espn_macmahon/status/1341872473458036737?s=19

1st of hundreds this season due to Covid.

[GreenFaith1819]

Harden and multiple witnesses at the event have told the league that he attended a seated dinner for a friend who'd recently been promoted at work, the source told ESPN.

According to the source, Harden said he entered through a separate entrance and sat in a separate area of the venue with his security detail and was wearing a mask. He took a photo with his friend and gave her a gift. Harden, the source said, also claimed he left after approximately 30 minutes and did not continue on with the group, which went to other locations later in the night.

Don't know if this was in the original article or not but just came across this.

Looking forward to the facts coming out.

[Roy H.]

Harden and multiple witnesses at the event have told the league that he attended a seated dinner for a friend who'd recently been promoted at work, the source told ESPN.

According to the source, Harden said he entered through a separate entrance and sat in a separate area of the venue with his security detail and was wearing a mask. He took a photo with his friend and gave her a gift. Harden, the source said, also claimed he left after approximately 30 minutes and did not continue on with the group, which went to other locations later in the night.

Don't know if this was in the original article or not but just came across this.

Looking forward to the facts coming out.

That’s a pretty awesome mask.

[GreenFaith1819]

Harden and multiple witnesses at the event have told the league that he attended a seated dinner for a friend who'd recently been promoted at work, the source told ESPN.

According to the source, Harden said he entered through a separate entrance and sat in a separate area of the venue with his security detail and was wearing a mask. He took a photo with his friend and gave her a gift. Harden, the source said, also claimed he left after approximately 30 minutes and did not continue on with the group, which went to other locations later in the night.

Don't know if this was in the original article or not but just came across this.

Looking forward to the facts coming out.

That’s a pretty awesome mask.

He made a bone-headed mistake, evidently - like Rudy did (and apologized for it).

I'd assume that James will apologize, too - eventually get traded and help to spear-head a deep playoff run OR Championship on some team other than HOU.

James Harden is symptomatic of Our United States of America - A bunch of maskers AND Non-Maskers - all victims of a lack of consistent leadership since early on this year.

James didn't start the fire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFTLKWw542g

But he certainly isn't helping to put it out HERE, either.

Shame on him but I expect him to grow from it.