CAMDEN, N.J. — Literally up to the eve of the Sixers’ regular season, James Harden stayed true to form Wednesday and caused a stir.
Absent for 10 days to attend to a personal matter, the disgruntled declining superstar showed up at the training complex for the final practice of the offseason, where he would participate only in the most rudimentary of drills but was not involved in any game-planning for the 7:30 season opener in Milwaukee.
Subsequently, the Sixers did not invite him to join their traveling party, instead assigning him to remain in Jersey to continue to work through any issues, physical or otherwise.
Asked if Harden was likely to play in the home opener Sunday against visiting Portland, Nick Nurse essentially dismissed the idea, saying only that the training staff would have the final say. The Sixers will also play Saturday in Toronto.
“He was here,” Nurse said after practice. “He was in some stuff early, but obviously we were doing a lot of game-prep stuff. He wasn’t involved in that, and it was a pretty short practice at that. He was there at the end, but we have to get ready for our game.”
By the time the press was granted access to the practice, Harden was gone. With that, his strange offseason – which has included a one-year opt-in to a $35.7 million contract, some understanding that his trade wishes would be honored, attacking the character of Daryl Morey and only sparse appearances in training camp – continued.
“It was great to see our brother again,” Paul Reed said. “I was glad he could make it today and I hope he can make more practices.”
The NBA assist leader last season, Harden will be replaced at the point by Tyrese Maxey as the Sixers face a Milwaukee team boosted by the addition of Damian Lillard. By Wednesday, Nurse seemed at professional peace with the situation.
“He’s been gone 10 days,” the head coach said. “So we are in ramp-up phase with him. He will stay here and get some work with our staff and with our players from the Blue Coats and two-way guys. We will get him ramped up as soon as we can.”
• • •
Late-offseason free-agency addition Kelly Oubre Jr., who averaged 20.3 points last season for the Hornets, is beginning his first season with his fifth NBA team.
He’s not just hungry for a championship.
“I’m starving for one,” he said. “And I think a lot of people will see that.”
Oubre should figure prominently in the frontcourt mix.
“Guys like me and Pat Beverley, who are new here, know how to adapt to a new system because we have done it before,” Oubre said. “I’m just being professional and working hard. That’s the only way I know how to do it. I’ve just kept my head down and tried to learn as much as possible from these guys.”
• • •
Ricky Council IV, who appeared briefly in three preseason games, was signed Wednesday to a two-way contract. In a related move, Ąžuolas Tubelis was waived.
Council, 22, played at the University of Arkansas, was signed as an undrafted free agent and drew attention for averaging 10 points in the summer league. The 6-foot-6 shooting guard had been waived five days ago.
The 6-10 Tubelis, of Lithuania, played at Arizona.
Source: Berkshire mont