All-Star 'snub' started James Harden's discontent with 76ers

According to a report from ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Harden started to feel unappreciated when, for the first time in 10 years, he wasn't selected for the All-Star Game. Harden felt he "sacrificed" his individual scoring numbers to be a team player, which led to Harden leading the league in assists and Joel Embiid winning MVP. But Harden wasn't used to not being treated like a superstar.

It didn't help that his former Nets teammates Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving had both been voted in as starters by the fans, media and players. Still, NBA commissioner Adam Silver was prepared to name him as an injury replacement, sources said. Harden just had to give assurances that he would show up and play in the game. 

Days went by without Harden's answer. He was pouting.

Harden posted an Instagram story that read "The disrespect" after he wasn't chosen. But that may have led to the NBA's doubts that Harden would show up, a year after they reportedly had to fly him in to attend the NBA 75 ceremony.

But it was a sign. If the league didn't consider him a superstar, then the 76ers might not either. That became more clear when Doc Rivers "lit into Harden for taking the final three shots in regulation of a double-overtime loss to the young and lottery-bound-again Rockets," in a game where Embiid had 39 points and Harden shot 4-19.

Rivers also criticized Harden for traveling separately from the team and partying, something that would have been unthinkable when Harden was setting his own party schedule - and winning MVPs - in Houston.

Still, Philadelphia wanted Harden back enough that they fired Rivers after their second-round loss to the Boston Celtics. They just weren't ready to pay Harden - and treat him - like an All-Star.