PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — James Harden said he sacrificed millions along with his playing style, which he said was «on a leash» during his stint with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Harden said he tried to do what was needed to win in Philadelphia, but that the 76ers front office did not want him. Now with the Clippers, Harden is hopeful he can change some of the negative narratives surrounding him following rocky exits from Brooklyn and Philadelphia and prove that he is still an elite star who can fit in with Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook and win a championship.
At his introductory news conference Thursday at the Clippers' facility, Harden described what he felt went wrong in Philadelphia. «Taking $26 million less to sign and make the team better,» Harden said. «Changing my role, which media [felt] is ball dominant, which my ball dominance is really effective.
But changing my role, trying to change the narrative, trying to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to win at the highest level.