It looks like the internet has found another victim for its trolling antics, and this time it’s James Harden who is having to deal with it. A picture of the 11-time NBA All-Star has started to make noise online after multiple blog pages posted that Harden had gained a couple of pounds during his playoff season.
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The picture went viral with many NBA fans laughing that “Fat James Harden Is Back.” In the sports world, Harden is known for letting his athletic physique go during the playoff season, according to Sports Illustrated.
Even though the internet is filled with photoshopped memes and AI, fans under the comments fell for the rumors and were more than ready to dunk on Harden for his apparent weight gain.
“Broooo, he’s the Jonah Hill of the NBA,” wrote one user on X.
“If he also goes beardless, we DEFINITELY got Stanley [a popular character from the 2008 sitcom “The Office”],” wrote another user.
Other fans theorized that Harden might be trying to get himself traded from his current team, the LA Clippers.
“He bouta request that trade,” wrote one user.
“Trade request on deck,” wrote another.
This is not the first time that the former MVP has found himself a victim of people criticizing his weight. In 2023, Harden’s former coach at the Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, claimed that Harden was the reason he got fired, and part of the reason was because of his weight, according to the Daily Mail.
After McHale benched Harden during a game with his future team, the LA Clippers, the following training year, Harden returned to training camp “fat” and with a “plan” to get him fired, claimed McHale, also according to the Daily Mail.
Outside of the trolling corners of the internet, Harden is not paying attention to what people are saying about him. Instead, the NBA star is on tour in China and being showered with love by adoring fans.
“You guys never cease to amaze me. Every time feels like the first time. I just hope you know the love is reciprocated. Let’s enjoy the rest of this trip,” The star posted on X with recent pictures of himself that might just shut down the trolls.
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