Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden has extraordinarily claimed he lost 100lbs during the off-season in a bid to transform his body.
Harden, who is entering into his first full season with the 76ers after being traded from the Brooklyn Nets, was criticised at times last year for his build. But the former Most Valuable Player explained at media day on Monday that he has been working over the summer to shed the pounds and tone his muscles.
Speaking ahead of the new NBA season, Harden revealed that he had lost 100lbs as a result of dieting and a new workout plan.
"I think at this point it was just dieting, proper rest, then for me I think just strengthening my muscle, gaining my muscle mass - which I always had.
This last year and a half I really wasn't healthy enough to put in the proper work like I'm used to. This summer was huge to me in that aspect, the hill runs and weight lifting were important."
Harden was then asked how much he had lost, and his result was simply: "100lbs. Tweet that."
Harden's current weight is unknown, but fans will get a better indication when he takes to the court for the first time next month as the season starts.
The former Houston Rockets star has endured a tough few years, having been traded by the Rockets to the Nets. He only lasted a few months there, however, before being traded to the 76ers in a deal which sent Ben Simmons, Andre Drummond and Seth Curry the other way.
And Harden admitted he had struggled mentally with the unstable nature of being traded from team to team, saying: "Mentally it was very, very difficult for me.
“Just because I love the game of basketball. If the money wasn’t involved I’d be playing basketball. It was very difficult.
"A lot of tough times, a lot of dark moments, which I never really went through because I was always healthy and playing the game of basketball.
"But I’m in a really good space right now and I feel like I’m back to where I needed to be and where I’m supposed to be. The feeling is great."
