HOUSTON - Former NBA champion Stephen Jackson called out James Harden for hanging out with his rapper friend Lil Baby instead of showing up to training camp on time to support a black man getting his first head coaching job in the NBA.
Jackson, a Port Arthur native, spoke to TMZ about his frustrations with Harden, saying the Rockets star guard isn't giving new head coach, Stephen Silas, who is black, the best chance to succeed.
"You don't wanna play for him?! How that look?! And you wonder why every time a Black coach get a job, they put him in the bulls**t situation," Jackson said.
"Look watchu doing," Jackson said ... "What a REAL one would do is go play for that Black coach and make him look good and build with John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins -- some real ones!"
"But obviously you wanna chase rappers around!"
Harden, who reported to camp on Tuesday, was seen at the birthday party for Lil Baby in Atlanta and at a nightclub in Las Vegas over the last week. He also wasn't wearing a mask and must test negative six straight times before he's cleared to workout with his teammates, according to multiple reports.
As of Tuesday, Silas said he hasn't spoken to Harden since his return, but maintains the Rockets star is committed to the team.