LeBron James and Kevin Durant tried not to laugh when Charles Barkley didn’t mince his words about James Harden
Charles Barkley is not the world's biggest James Harden fan.
The outspoken NBA analyst called it like he saw it in 2022, after Harden had forced his way off the Brooklyn Nets and broken up another team.
"When somebody want out, you let them go," said Barkley, during TNT's NBA All-Star Game selection show that featured LeBron James and Kevin Durant picking their sides. "Don't let them come back. I'm with you, KD."
As Barkley spoke about Harden, James was forced to cover his face with a clipboard to hide his laughter.
Durant also cracked a smile as he chose then-Utah center Rudy Gobert over Harden, who was still one of the best scorers in the NBA at that time.
"I'm going to need some size for sure," Durant said.
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By picking Gobert over Harden, it was a clear public shot by Durant, who had played with Harden on Oklahoma City and Brooklyn when he headed to Philadelphia.
The Beard ended up falling to James' team as the final pick in the All-Star draft.
"He hasn't played, is he healthy?" James asked.
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"He got traded. He's healthy now," Barkley joked referencing Harden jumping ship.
Back then he forced his way to the Philadelphia 76ers, breaking up a Brooklyn Nets super team that featured Kyrie Irving and Durant.
On Tuesday, a disgruntled Harden forced his way off another team, leaving Joel Embiid and the 76ers behind and taking his ageing talents to Los Angeles, where he joined Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and former Rockets/Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook with the now super team Clippers.
Harden, 34, is a 10-time All-Star who has averaged 24.7 points, 7.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds during his 14-year career.
The 2017-18 NBA MVP has now been a part of the Thunder, Rockets, Nets, 76ers and Clippers since entering the league in 2009.
Harden appeared to gain weight when he forced his way off the Rockets.
He dealt with an injury with the Nets, then barely participated in the 76ers' recent training camp and preseason schedule.