James Harden spoke to the media for the first time as a member of the Clippers on Thursday, giving the All-Star guard a chance to address how things ended in Philadelphia.
Harden didn’t hold back when speaking about his time with the 76ers, saying that he felt the role he was given on the team left him playing "on a leash."
When asked for which kind of coaching staff he wants to play, Harden mentioned a staff that is going to work around his talents.
“Someone that trusts me believes in me, I’m not a system player, I am a system,” Harden said, via FanNation’s Farbod Esnaashari. “Someone that could have that dialogue with me.”
That appears to be a direct shot at former Sixers head coach Doc Rivers, who coached Harden for 1.5 years before Philadelphia let him go. The veteran coach already addressed his relationship with Harden, saying it “was pretty much neutral” but it was different after Harden didn’t make the All-Star game last year.
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Harden also added that he expected to retire as a Sixer, but it appeared that the front office “didn’t want him” after last year, via Esnaashari. However, Harden does believe he has the ability to play with any player in the league, which will be important on a star-studded Clippers team.
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“I’m elite as an individual, and can fit in with anybody to make a championship run,” he said.
Harden said he is looking forward to making his Clippers debut on Monday, when the Clippers travel to New York to play the Knicks.
