Golden State Warriors rumors: 3 reasons not to trade for James Harden
2. James Harden is a bad fit for this team culture
The Golden State Warriors won three titles and made it to five-straight NBA Finals because they had exceptional talent, great coaching and some amount of luck. They also made it because of a unique team culture that elevates even stars to a whole greater than the sum of its parts. James Harden does not look to be a seamless fit for that culture.
Stephen Curry is a humble leader, that rare combination of elite play combined with a humble demeanor and selfless words and actions. Curry not only puts in the work, but he also plays in the offense as if he is equal in stature to the players around him. He moves the ball, he screens off-the-ball, he passes up a good shot for a teammate’s better one.
Related Story. Mavs: Why they should get in Harden sweepstakes. light
That leadership set the tone for the entire franchise, even while they were winning titles. Accomplished veteran Andre Iguodala accepted a bench role. Draymond Green and Klay Thompson have accepted their places in a pecking order that does not have them at the top. Curry has checked his ego to the point that he could actively recruit a player in Kevin Durant who would take his spot as the top offensive option. Annoyed as many were at Durant joining the Warriors, it took a special kind of sacrifice that is rarely seen around the league.
That culture isn’t just something that happened; it’s encouraged by head coach Steve Kerr and it’s defended by the key players. During Durant’s final season, when he was manipulating the media circus in the midst of speculation about his future, Draymond Green took multiple opportunities to announce his displeasure. The message: stop making this about you, and make it about us.
James Harden fits this team culture like a square peg in a round hole. He makes everything about him. He runs the offense, he lobbies the front office to trade for specific players, he dates the most popular women, he parties when he’s supposed to be practicing. The Warriors are no strangers to good times, but they care about the team. Harden has made it clear he cares about himself. That wouldn’t fly on the Warriors, and it would likely lead to an ugly divorce.