Though they never won an NBA title together, Daryl Morey and James Harden had a wildly successful run together in the 2010s as general manager and superstar guard of the Houston Rockets.
Years later, Morey and a now 33-year-old Harden reunited in Philadelphia, but the results from the 2022 and 2023 playoffs weren’t as fruitful as either anticipated. On Monday, things appeared to hit a boiling point, with Harden openly calling Morey a liar while declaring that he will never play for a Morey-led organization again.
The inflection point came after several weekend reports suggested that Morey and the 76ers are planning to bring Harden to training camp, thus rejecting his well-chronicled trade demand.
Sam Amick of The Athletic recently explained the dynamics:
When Harden decided to take a significant pay cut a year ago, declining his $47.4 million player option to sign a one-plus-one deal in which he would be paid $33 million for the 2022-23 campaign, there was a widespread belief that it was a classic case of quid pro quo.
Harden would give some money back as a way of helping the Sixers fill out their roster. And in the following offseason, many presumed, the 10-time All-Star and former MVP would be handsomely rewarded with a contract more befitting of his future Hall of Fame talents. …
All indications on Harden’s side [before 2023 free agency] pointed to the Sixers forcing him to test the market before they would make an offer of any kind. The understandable concern for Harden, sources say, was that Philadelphia was preparing to offer him the kind of short-term, team-friendly contract that wouldn’t come close to reflecting his stature in the league or the level of his current play.
From Morey’s perspective, perhaps the months of reports stating Harden’s strong interest in returning to Houston made it feel as though the spirit of any unofficial 2022 pact was already violated. After all, recent reports have suggested that a potential Harden-Rockets reunion was nixed by the Rockets, rather than Harden.
Even so, from Harden’s side, there appear to have been promises made from Philadelphia that weren’t ultimately kept. And in an NBA era known for its player empowerment, that’s dangerous.
Alas, with both men having long histories in Houston, fans and media members covering the Rockets had lots to say in the aftermath of Monday’s bombshell. Here’s a roundup of some of the reactions.
James Harden’s comments on Daryl Morey
James Harden on his China tour: “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of. Let me say that again. Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.” 😳 pic.twitter.com/oaqVjXkax6
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) August 14, 2023
Houston reaction
Bullet. Dodged.#Rockets turning down a James Harden reunion looks better and better with each passing day. https://t.co/09GiHRJQ3Z
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) August 14, 2023
#HearMeOut
Dear James Harden,
You made this bed…Lay in it…#Sarge pic.twitter.com/jEsamDGvvg— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) August 14, 2023
Morey is clearly to blame for backing out of whatever "wink wink" deal they had, yes, but Harden's scorched earth tactics the moment he's unhappy is something I'm glad Houston never has to deal with again. https://t.co/vb1ZnXAZVH
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) August 14, 2023
Parting ways with Daryl Morey
— StanfordKP (@stanfordkp) August 14, 2023
Rockets fans are so lucky that Ime Udoka vetoed bringing James Harden back to Houston. Can’t emphasize how happy I am to not have to deal with his shenanigans again. https://t.co/mmajDCwNMN
— Roosh (@RooshWilliams) August 14, 2023
Well.
Happy Monday y’all.
— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) August 14, 2023
Every request James Harden has made over the last four years has been granted. He has turned on all of them:
– Chris Paul
– Russell Westbrook
– Houston
– Kevin Durant
– Brooklyn
– Daryl Morey
– Philadelphia https://t.co/dg2JA1HRSh— ClutchFans (@clutchfans) August 14, 2023
Was going to be my next tweet.
They ALL took pay cuts to pull it off.
After this Harden debacle, no player in their right mind will do that for the foreseeable future. And I don’t blame them.
Why would any player trust a front office when your interests aren’t always aligned? https://t.co/XuVgZB5slv
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) August 14, 2023
What a crazy situation. Not sure it can be fixed. https://t.co/I5pAKYKZ9m
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) August 14, 2023
It was very predictable the marriage between James Harden and Daryl Morey would end in the ugliest divorce imaginable but it’s still shocking to see it play out like this
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) August 14, 2023
Holy hell. He’s going to war https://t.co/rej9f3fosd
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) August 14, 2023
He’s already asked to be gone. Adding an ‘if he’s here I’m not gonna be’ to it. (Also publicly notes that it’s personal & it would seem that his contract negotiations from last year to this year could be a part of that). https://t.co/vjdfEaB3q7
— Adam Wexler (@AdamJWexler) August 14, 2023
Legitimately never thought I’d see the day. The Harden/D’Antoni/Morey/Brown was rock-solid as any quartet in basketball in 2017.
If you showed me that video then, I’d scoff and think it was an advanced deep-fake.
Hell, even today I had to go search out the original video.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) August 14, 2023
So many people are blinded by pure James Harden hate that they are willingly choosing to ignore why Harden is justifiably mad at Daryl Morey right now.
— ᵂᴵᴸᴸ (@BiasedHouston) August 14, 2023
I could be reaching a bit, but I wonder if James decided to wait to call out Daryl while in China on purpose.
We all know about that fiasco.
— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Card) August 14, 2023
Nice to wake up and see drama with these two affecting a team that isn't the #Rockets https://t.co/H0vbVkZSia
— Jason Williams (@AstroRocket) August 14, 2023
This is where harden not having an agent for most of his career he’s hurt himself. He’s just lived and reacted instead of planned and been introspective about what he wants and will want.
— JLS IV (@Slotter) August 14, 2023
I kinda doubt James harden does this if he signed in Houston but yes I take the point about him going to extremes when things don't go his way
— Forrest Walker (@DUNOTS) August 14, 2023
Let’s go back to simpler times pic.twitter.com/CjZrVEWA77
— Matthew Cardenas (@Matt__Card) August 14, 2023
Rocket fans are also so lucky that Daryl Morey is no longer running the organization. Cant emphasize how happy I am to not have to deal with his shenanigans again. Whew I’m glad both of these guys are no longer my problem. https://t.co/jKGDa3r9Zj
— 🏆 2X WS Champ Cockenheimer™️🏆 (@astros_dude) August 14, 2023
https://t.co/wMechVUfpM pic.twitter.com/lBu89bgb2w
— Jeff Balke (@jeffbalke) August 14, 2023
It’s hard to fathom how the Spurs were able to keep keep RC, Pop, Robinson, Duncan, Manu, and Tony all happy together for two decades.
I marvel at that level of organizational harmony more and more everyday.
Almost feels like it happened in a different league entirely.
— Salman Ali (@SalmanAliNBA) August 14, 2023
Harden took a paycut last year because Morey was going to give him a max this summer. I get why he’s mad.
— Forever Trill🇳🇬 🇰🇪 🇧🇸 (@mccauley318) August 14, 2023
Morey must of did something wild for Harden to come out and double down on his statement.
— Houston’s Very Own (@YoItsKenneth) August 14, 2023
James Harden: “Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of.”
My God 😬pic.twitter.com/uItkiKUSPL
— HaterMuse (@HaterMuse) August 14, 2023
Think Rockets fans know James better than anyone and hearing him talk like that is crazy even to us, he was obviously made promises that were not kept and has ever right to be upset, calling out Morey so openly like that is something nobody expected
— Abel (@AbelGe87) August 14, 2023
Lmao 🤣 https://t.co/SX3mkMnpRr
— Forever Trill🇳🇬 🇰🇪 🇧🇸 (@mccauley318) August 14, 2023
Morey to CP3 — “We ain’t gonna trade you to Oklahoma” (traded CP3 to Oklahoma a few days later)
Morey to Harden — take a pay cut and we’ll reward you the following season. (Morey doesn’t offer Harden a contract)
Crazy. https://t.co/3xJsuI994N pic.twitter.com/lHpF4mZxeb
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 14, 2023
“We’re just not good enough.. This situation is crazy, Its something I don’t think can be fixed.”
“Daryl Morey is a liar and I will never be a part of an organization that he’s a part of”
One things for sure, James Harden knows what to say to make sure he gets traded 😂 pic.twitter.com/c7s6lUBsIe
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 14, 2023
No drama in Houston at the moment.
What a time. pic.twitter.com/NP1mcXDx0d
— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) August 14, 2023
Wouldn’t be the first time Daryl Morey has blatantly lied to a former #Rockets player.
🔗:(https://t.co/qKIh7PNIEp) pic.twitter.com/ZS9SLyfOQz
— Kos NBA (@KosNBA) August 14, 2023
When Morey stepped down as Rockets General manager, he wrote :
"James Harden changed my life, an entire page could be dedicated to James. He not only transformed my life but he also revolutionized the game of basketball."
Crazy to see their relationship end like this.
— Itamar (@Itamar_17_10) August 14, 2023
