Houston Rockets star James Harden was back in the bubble for less than a day before a post shared by the team of the leading NBA scorer wearing a “Thin Blue Line” mask received a strong reaction. .
Harden did not travel with the rest of his team to Orlando last week after speculating that he had contracted COVID-19, along with his teammate Russell Westbrook, who confirmed himself on social media earlier this week that he tested positive.
But on Thursday the Rockets shared a photo confirming that Harden had returned.
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Rather than exalting fans about his arrival, the post received strong criticism after it showed Harden wearing a mask representing a popular pro-police symbol.
“For the love of GOD, tell me that James Harden is not wearing a mask called ‘the blue patriot’,” said a user on Twitter.
The NBA also shared the post.
Singer Trey Songz was one of the critics who shared the image on her social networks with the caption “This certified clown s —. I will say it for all those who are afraid. FOH “
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Rapper Young Thug, a friend of Harden’s, also wrote on Twitter: “He doesn’t have the internet, so he obviously doesn’t know what’s right or what’s wrong if he posts something against the United States.”
Harden is not known to be outspoken on political matters, but on Thursday he told reporters that he believed the protests that followed the death of George Floyd represented a “powerful” message.
“The way the city recovered, it was incredible. I think the world saw it, “he said. “The march and everything we stand for is very powerful.”
Harden is on his way to winning his third consecutive scoring title. He is averaging 34.4 points, well ahead of second place Bradley Beal of the Washington Wizards. Beal, who is not involved in the restart due to injury, finished the season with an average of 30.5 points.
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He would become the seventh player in NBA history to win at least three consecutive scoring crowns, joining George Mikan, Neil Johnston, Wilt Chamberlain, George Gervin, Michael Jordan, and Kevin Durant.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
