“I don’t look like the crazy guy”

The Brooklyn Nets had a potentially all-time great trio in Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving. Due to injuries and Irving’s refusal to vaccinate against COVID-19, that group only played each other in 16 games, with the trio losing a member when Harden was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers last year.

That era of Nets basketball officially came to an end this week when the team traded Irving to the Dallas Mavericks and Durant to the Phoenix Suns. And in a rather strange coincidence, Saturday was also Harden’s first game in Brooklyn since being sent to Philly last year. The game itself was pretty good – the Sixers rallied to win, 101-98, although Spencer Dinwiddie hit a shot from near the halffield that officials decided wasn’t out of hand in time.

After it ended, Harden spoke to the media and was asked if things were ending in Brooklyn. He didn’t hold back, calling the era “frustrating” and saying, “I don’t look like the madman. I don’t look like the quitter or whatever the media wants to call me.”

Harden had a productive night on his return to Brooklyn, averaging 29 points with six assists and six rebounds in 37 minutes of work.