So just to fact-check the popular narrative, Russell’s journey to Houston started with a phone call from you, James. He said he was interested, and then the Rockets front office made it happen.
Harden: That simple.
If the goal was for you guys to play together again, did you ever discuss James going back to OKC?
Westbrook: Discuss James coming to OKC?
Yeah.
Westbrook: Oh, nah! [laughs] No, that wasn’t a thought.
Harden: It’s impossible.
It’s impossible?
Harden: It’s impossible.
Why?
Westbrook: I never thought about that until now. [laughs]
Harden: I just felt like he gave, what, 12 amazing years. We’ve all seen Russ grow as a player. I just felt like it was time for a change. And I think everybody just needed it.
If OKC doesn’t trade you in 2012, James, would y’all have a chip by now?
Harden: Man, hell yeah!
Westbrook: That’s easy.
Harden: I was there for three seasons. Every team that we lost to won the chip.
Westbrook: Every time.
Harden: My third year we lost in the Finals. And we just came off USA Basketball, won a gold medal. It was destined. But shit happens.
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What does a player owe to a city?
Westbrook: Oh, I don’t think he owes nothing. I think that as a player and as an athlete, obviously you go there, you lay it all on the line for your teammates, staff, organization, the fans, and that’s it. There may be many reasons behind [a player leaving]. Whether it’s for his family—for his well-being, mentally. I think a lot of people don’t think about that. A bunch of things go into the determining factor that’s way more important in life than you just hooping. You know what I’m saying? You’re only going to hoop for a short period of time in your life, and after that you gotta be able to be safe. You gotta be able to have a family, something to fall back on.
Harden: You gotta live a normal life. I don’t think people ever sit down and completely try to understand what an athlete goes through every single day. Not just his job, but like as a normal human being. People whose families have issues and maybe their kids are sick.
There’s this mentality toward athletes that they’re feeling-less. But recently athletes have been speaking out more. Would you say that you two are sensitive?
Harden: I wouldn’t say I’m sensitive.
Westbrook: No, I would say that I have emotions. I believe mental health is a huge aspect of that. And I think people now talk about it more and express it. People are able to express it. Some people are not able to, but I do think it’s a huge part. Even the top athletes, whether it’s [Kevin] Love or DeMar [DeRozan].
Do either of you go to therapy?
Westbrook: My wife is a therapist. So by law of association…yeah, yeah. I understand a lot about mental health because that’s what she does.
James, have you ever been to therapy?
Harden: Nah.
Would you go to therapy?
Harden: If I needed to. [laughs]
Westbrook: He need to now! James knows his comfort zone.
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