“HOUSTON, TX – MAY 06: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets walks across the court late in the second half against the Los Angeles Clippers during Game Two in the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs on May 6, 2015 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)”
The NBA playoffs took on a new twist surrounding Houston guard James Harden and Clippers forward Matt Barnes.
The implications have more than just how the Clippers break a 1-1 tie when they host the Rockets in Game 3 of Western Conference semifinals on Friday at Staples Center. Or how the Clippers will stop Harden, the NBA’s runner-up MVP averaging 27.4 points on 44 percent shooting and 7.0 assists thus far in the postseason. Harden hardly sounded pleased that Barnes talked trash with his mother during the Clippers’ Game 2 loss on Wednesday.
“Any situation where you’re talking about somebody else’s parents, that’s just disrespectful,” Harden said after the Rockets’ morning shootaround at Staples Center. “I’m focused on Game 3 and we’re very focused and locked in. There will be some great intensity tonight.”
Barnes has since said he apologized Harden’s mom, explaining he thought he was just arguing with another fan. This happened shortly after Barnes picked up a technical foul for bumping in Harden. His mother, Monja Willis, since told TMZ that she accepted Barnes’ apology.
Does all of this resolve the issue?
“I’m not focused on that,” Harden said. “I’m focused on Game 3. We’re going to go out there, compete and try to get a victory on the road.”
Houston stressed two themes surrounding this whole incident.
The Rockets strongly defended and expressed sympathy for Harden’s mother becoming a victim of Barnes’ tendency to talk trash to fans he considers contentious.
“There’s no room for stuff in playing basketball. Guys are getting after it and stuff. That’s one thing. But I have nothing to say about that, ” Houston coach Kevin McHale said. “There’s no room for that. James has a wonderful mother and has done a great job raising his son. She was just there trying to enjoy the game.”
Houston also dismissed that this development would raise the intensity of the series.
“Players will do whatever it takes to get individuals out of their element. We understand,” Rockets forward Josh Smith said. “We’re focused. We don’t care about anything, but winning the basketball game. We’re not focused on verbal words. On the court, you really can’t do anything. You do anything, you’re going to get suspended and nobody wants to lose money. It’s all about staying focused and channeling that energy into something positive instead of something negative.”
Harden refused to discuss the situation further. He even dismissively asked a reporter, “What do you want me to say?” when he was first asked about Barnes. So a supportive teammate spoke for Harden.
“I know how I would be if someone said something to my loved ones,” Smith said. “But everybody is focused. We understand and know what it takes now in order to compete. It should be a dog fight from here on out.”
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