Sixers Star James Harden Blames Brooklyn Nets for His Acrimonious Exit From the Franchise

• James Harden has broken his silence on his frustrating spell with the Brooklyn Nets
• Harden joined the Nets in January 2021 from the Houston Rockets, forming a big three with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving
• The Nets big three failed to win an NBA title and have all left the team

Philadelphia 76ers star James Harden has opened up on his disappointing spell with the Brooklyn Nets. Since leaving the team last year, Harden played at Barclays Center for the first time.

The Sixers narrowly won 101-98. MVP candidate Joel Embiid scored 37 points while Harden added 29 to help solidify the third spot in the Eastern Conference.

Harden joined Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the Nets in January 2021 in a blockbuster trade forming a potent big three. Many NBA fans expected them to make a run for the NBA title for a few seasons.

LeBron James weight in on Lakers failure to land ex-Nets star Kyrie Irving

NBA

However, that team was a disappointment. They played 16 games together and failed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals. When he asked to be moved to the Sixers, things started to unravel in Brooklyn, per SI.

Harend on Brooklyn divorce

The 2018 NBA MVP asked to be traded to the Sixers ahead of the February 2022 trade deadline. The move drew a lot of criticism from fans and analysts. He said he decided to move on for a reason.

"I didn't just ask to leave for no reason. I was in a really good place in Houston. Obviously, we didn't have a chance to win a championship, but I was comfortable. So for me to up and leave my family, all the things I created there, to come to Brooklyn for a year and a half to try to just get up and leave, it was for a reason," via ESPN.

Kyrie Irving blasts Brooklyn Nets after sealing move to Dallas Mavericks

NBA

With Durant sealing a move to the Phoenix Suns a few days ago, the Nets' big three have all gone their separate ways. Irving joined forces with Luka Doncic in Dallas a week ago.

He acknowledged there was dysfunction in Brooklyn and since Durant and Irving's departure, he's been proven right.

"It was just a lot of dysfunction. Clearly. But it was a lot of internal things that I'm not going to ever just say, put in the media or anything. And that was one of the reasons why I chose to make my decision."

Irving slams Nets

Sports Brief earlier reported on Irving opening up on his time with the Nets after joining the Mavericks. He had a few words to say about his former employers. He said he was disrespected by the organization.

Irving's spell with the Nets was far from smooth. His availability was a problem throughout. He missed several weeks during the 2020/21 season and played 29 games in the following campaign.

This season, he missed several games after being suspended for sharing a movie with antisemitic themes.