James Harden arrived at the Orlando bubble earlier this week after being delayed due to family issues. Harden cleared the quarantine protocol and practice with the team yesterday.
James Harden Discusses Mask Controversy
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the top story as the Houston Rockets posted a picture of James Harden masked up.
The particular mask Harden wore is synonymous with “Blue Live Matter”. Harden was asked about the mask and if he was making a political statement.
James Harden: "It was just something that covered my whole beard. I thought it looked cool. That was it." Harden said he's in process of determining how he will voice his support for the Black Lives Matter while in NBA bubble, including whether he will have a message on jersey.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) July 17, 2020
For anyone that has followed Harden or reported on him since entering the league, they know Harden is very focal on political issues. Harden is not the type of player you will see at a protest or taking a strong stance one way or another. Even though Harden did comment on the recent protest that took place in Houston.
James Harden on how Houston handled the protests for the late George Floyd:”The way the city rallied,it was amazing.I think the world saw it. How so many people could come together..Obviously it was for a tragic reason.The marching&everything we’re standing for is very powerful” pic.twitter.com/7NTkL90l2D
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) July 17, 2020
With Harden explanation and his usually quiet stance on anything outside of sports we will see if this story goes on beyond the next couple of weeks.