James Harden on his stint in Brooklyn: ‘It was a lot of ups and downs’

Let’s talk Brooklyn for a second, how would you sum up your short stint in Brooklyn? 
James Harden: Uh, it was a lot of ups and downs. I appreciate the Nets and the city for what they’ve done for me in that year and a half. This is a business and for me, I think my happiness is the most important thing so I had to make the best decision for myself and for my family. But yea, I appreciated the time in Brooklyn.  Do the “what if everyone was healthy” thoughts linger in your head? 
James Harden: Yea I think everybody thinks that. Everybody thinks about ‘what if, what if, what if’ but in reality, things don’t work off what if.
Source: Zion Olojede @ complex.com

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Marc Berman @NYPost_Berman
James Harden-Ben Simmons hype and other top #NBA playoffs storylines nypost.com/2022/04/14/202… via @nypostsports – 10:03 PM

Tim Bontemps @TimBontemps
New ESPN story: When the idea of playing with any pressure in the upcoming playoffs came up, James Harden seemed surprised the question was even asked.
“Pressure, no. I feel good,” Harden said with a smile. “I’m ready to hoop. There’s nothing to it.”
espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 7:32 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
As the playoffs get set to begin, Joel Embiid has some advice for James Harden #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/14/joe… via @SixersWire #NBA – 7:10 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
Sixers-Raps specific preview coming tomorrow (thankfully Embiid and Harden talked today), so view this as sort of an overall temperature check coming into the playoffs: theathletic.com/3249367/2022/0… – 3:30 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
James Harden also did give an update on his hamstring injury as the playoffs get set to begin #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/14/jam… via @SixersWire #NBA – 2:31 PM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
As the playoffs get set to begin on Saturday, James Harden and the team have been using these practices to gain comfortability and it’s beginning to pay off #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/lists/james-ha… via @SixersWire – 2:29 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
James Harden on his hamstring: “It’s good, I’ve actually been doing some sprints and some hamstring work. So it’s a really good week to be prepare myself for this first round.”
Said this week has been a bit similar to his first week as a Sixer, prior to the Minnesota game. – 1:39 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
James Harden on if he feels pressure coming into the playoffs: “Pressure? No. I feel good, I’m ready to hoop. Nothing to it.” – 1:35 PM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
“They fly around and play extremely hard… they just run around and have each other’s backs” #Sixers’ James Harden on the #Raptors – 1:03 PM

Lauren Rosen @LaurenMRosen
James Harden says this week of practice has been key – and spirited – for the @Philadelphia 76ers:
“It’s been great. We got after it these last couple days. A lot of yelling… it’s been really helpful.” – 1:01 PM

Justin Grasso @JGrasso_
James Harden says the #Sixers have “been getting after it” this week leading into the playoffs – 1:01 PM

Rich Hoffman @rich_hofmann
On the stakes for Joel Embiid, the likelihood of James Harden finding another gear, the pressure on Doc Rivers and a lot more.
Ten thoughts on the Sixers heading into the playoffs (sub for $1 per month): theathletic.com/3249367/2022/0… – 10:56 AM

Ky Carlin @Ky_Carlin
With Game 1 set for Saturday, Doc Rivers admits that James Harden and the team are still a work in progress #Sixers sixerswire.usatoday.com/2022/04/13/doc… via @SixersWire – 10:53 AM

Michael Grange @michaelgrange
The Raptors have made thwarting Joel Embiid a tradition, but do they have a plan for James Harden too? sportsnet.ca/article/centre… – 10:18 AM

Keith Pompey @PompeyOnSixers
Sixers coach Doc Rivers excited to finally have practice time and get James Harden up to speed: ‘I think he’s getting it’ inquirer.com/sixers/james-h… via @phillyinquirer – 9:43 AM

More on this storyline

There’s been a lot of narratives out there lately with what has gone on the past couple years, do you feel like you have something to prove this postseason in Philly? 
James Harden: No, I don’t. I don’t. For me personally, I always want to go out there and play well and contribute in whatever way I need to contribute but for me, it’s going out there and playing my game, trying to help my team win. I don’t feel any pressure, I don’t feel any of that.  So when you see people like Ty Lue comment that you wouldn’t be a Top 10 scorer without free throws, do you just laugh at stuff like that? 
James Harden: I don’t even pay attention to it. Free throws are a part of the game. You look at who leads the league, Joel and Giannis, what about if you take away their free throws? I don’t understand what that comment meant. Free throws are a part of the game. It’s on the defense to have discipline and not foul. That’s what coaches should be teaching their players. For me I don’t pay attention to it, I just try to go out there and make an impact on the game in a positive way every night. -via complex.com / April 15, 2022

Kevin Durant’s relationship with James Harden began to blossom again. They went on a trip to Greece this past summer, and the guard twice reassured Durant that he’d sign an extension to stay in Brooklyn long term, according to league sources. -via The Ringer / March 31, 2022

Brian Lewis: Kyrie: “If thats what James wanted I respect his decision…I wish him nothing but peace and love. We have a great friendship but it didnt work out. Wish things could’ve been communicated better for all of us as men; but hey, no hard feelings here with me or anything else.” #Nets -via Twitter @NYPost_Lewis / March 9, 2022