NBA Playoffs: James Harden Gets Heated With Reporter Following Game 2 Loss

Apr 23, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after a play during the fourth quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers in game two during the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Rockets 112-105. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The tides have rapidly turned for the Houston Rockets, as they have dropped their first 2 playoff games at home to the Portland Trail Blazers. Following the Rockets 112-105 loss Wednesday night, James Harden got into an altercation with reporter Fran Blinebury of NBA.com.

Blinebury reportedly asked Harden about his shooting struggles, but that was not what the man with the beard wanted to focus on, claiming that the Rockets’ poor team defense is the cause for concern:

“I’m not worried about my offense, It’s basketball. You’re gonna miss shots. It’s basketball, like I said. They’re a very long team. They’re a very good defensive team. But for the most part, we just gotta get stops.”

Blinebury kept reiterating the fact that he has shot just 14 for 47(28 percent) from the field in the first 2 games to him, which eventually struck a nerve with Harden. When the media session ended, the two exchanged words with one another.

Via Mike Tokito of The Oregonian:

“When his media session in the Rockets opulent locker room ended, Harden went back at the reporter, asking if he had ever seen a player not play well before. The reporter answered that the struggle seemed unusual for Harden and was coming on a major stage, the playoffs.

The two went back and forth for a while, with Harden asking the reporter if he’d ever seen a basketball game before, then demanding to know whom the reporter was. The exchange got testy enough that team officials stepped in to usher Harden out.

As he left the room, Harden called the reporter “weirdo.”

At least the usually casual, stoic Harden is showing some emotion after all.

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