The Houston Rockets suffered a heartbreaking defeat on Monday to end their season, and James Harden heard the criticisms after the game as well.
Following the Rockets’ 101-92 loss at home to the Golden State Warriors in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals, Harden walked right off the court without shaking hands. He was seen in the tunnel with his jersey already off as his teammates exchanged pleasantries with the opposition. Take a look:
James Harden didn't stick around for long after Game 7 pic.twitter.com/YV0pZxkZmd
— KNBR (@KNBR) May 29, 2018
The MVP frontrunner promptly got skewered on social media for the perceived lack of sportsmanship.
James Harden didn’t shake anybody’s hands after the game. Went straight to the locker room while his teammates shook hands with the warriors. Weak move.
— Gavin Fowler (@gavinfowler16) May 29, 2018
Wow. James Harden doesn’t even stick around to congratulate the @warriors. No class. And not clutch.
— Ken Olin (@kenolin1) May 29, 2018
10 seconds after the game and James Harden already headed to the locker room, with his jersey off. Shakes no hands, shows no sportsmanship. Which is why I can never respect him. Those simple things matter. Gotta lose as good as you win.
— D Rek (@DerekMAlvarez) May 29, 2018
So James Harden walks off without shaking anybody hands? I’m sure the ladies at the club are waiting for him.
— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) May 29, 2018
When James Harden sees people shaking hands after the game
— Joey Langone (@JoeyLangone) May 29, 2018
James Harden is a joke as a leader.
He looked to me as the only member of the Rockets to not shake hands with the Warriors
Just a bad look.#Rockets #WarriorsVSRockets
— Lunchbox (@RadioLunchbox) May 29, 2018
Harden, the six-time All-Star, entered play on Monday with averages of 28.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game for the series before putting up a 32-6-6 line in Game 7. However, the loss of backcourt running mate Chris Paul in Game 5 ultimately proved too much for Houston to overcome.
As for the Eurostepping of the handshake line afterwards, this is becoming all too familiar of a refrain for superstar players this postseason.
