Paije Speights recollects how James Harden known as her 5 occasions at 8 a.m., turning his awkward persistence right into a memorable Netflix scene

Former NBA MVP James Harden is used to being easy on the courtroom. Nonetheless, based on his girlfriend Paije Speights, his off-court “sport” was something however.

In a trending clip from Netflix Sports activities’ documentary sequence Beginning 5, Speights playfully roasted Harden for the way in which he pursued her: calling her telephone 5 occasions at 8 a.m. after which FaceTiming her with a hilariously awkward praise. The clip aired throughout Episode 2 (“Love & Basketball”). Ever since, it has exploded on-line. In consequence, followers flooded social media to rejoice Harden’s painfully relatable try at romance.

How It Began: Harden’s “No Sport” Method

The 56-second video opens with Speights laughing as she recollects how she and Harden first met. “We’ve solely been collectively for a 12 months,” she says, smiling into the digital camera. Sitting in a softly lit interview room, she units the scene like a storyteller — playful, assured, and clearly amused by what got here subsequent.

Minimize to Harden, sporting a beanie and sipping espresso, grinning as he admits, “I seen her a few occasions, and I used to be her Instagram.” Together with his trademark deadpan supply, he confesses that he obtained her quantity by means of a mutual pal.

Speights’ eyes widen. “He known as my telephone like 5 occasions at eight o’clock within the morning,” she says. “I didn’t even know who gave him my quantity!” Harden chuckles in response: “She don’t know who I’m. What’s occurring?”

It’s the type of awkward persistence that may make most individuals cringe — however in some way, Harden’s blunt honesty makes it endearing. The web wasted no time turning that blend of confidence and confusion into meme gold.

From Missed Calls to a Viral FaceTime

The funniest second comes when Speights admits she truly answered his FaceTime — regardless of not figuring out who was calling. Harden jumps in, mock-defending himself: “She’s so bizarre — she answered the FaceTime!”

Speights continues, laughing: “He’s like, ‘You look so good at eight o’clock within the morning. No wig.’”

That offhand praise — awkward however honest — immediately turned the punchline that outlined the clip. It was Harden being unintentionally charming, acknowledging her pure look in a approach that was clumsy however actual. For viewers, it stripped away the famous person aura and revealed a surprisingly relatable facet of the 10-time All-Star: a person nervously overdoing it when making an attempt to impress a girl he genuinely preferred.

The best way Speights tells the story — mixing side-eyes, laughter, and affectionate teasing — makes the clip really feel like a scene from a rom-com. Harden, for his half, performs alongside, sipping his espresso smugly as if to say, “Effectively, it labored.”

The Punchline That Broke the Web

By the point Speights delivers the now-iconic line, “James doesn’t have any sport in any respect,” she’s laughing so exhausting that the digital camera freezes on her smiling face. Harden appears to be like on proudly, as if being roasted on Netflix is a small worth to pay for touchdown his girlfriend.

The humor hits on a number of ranges — it’s romantic, self-deprecating, and deeply human. Harden, recognized for his calculated strikes and precision on the courtroom, instantly turns into each awkward man who’s ever over-texted somebody too early.

The web cherished it. Inside 24 hours, the clip posted by @Fullcourtpass racked up over 3 million views and 18,000 likes, turning the couple’s story into one of the crucial talked-about moments in sports activities leisure.

Followers React: “He Don’t Want Sport, He’s James Harden”

Social media customers instantly latched onto the humor of Harden’s persistence. The phrase “5 calls at 8 a.m.” turned shorthand for thirsty however healthful habits, with followers debating whether or not it was desperation or willpower.

@HnDrXx_ii joked, “Name her 5 occasions at 8am then FaceTime her like nothing occurred.” One other person added, “5 calls at 8am is egregious — however I respect the hustle.”

Others defended Harden’s confidence outright. @PrimeX1Token wrote, “Whenever you’re James Harden, you don’t want no sport.” Essentially the most quoted reply summed up the overall consensus: “He don’t want sport — he’s James Harden.”

In fact, there have been skeptics too. Some customers questioned the story’s setup, suggesting Speights knew precisely who was calling. @hpesoj_adniham quipped, “She knew who you had been, Mario Chalmers’ child mama or not, let’s be actual.”

However even these skeptical takes couldn’t derail the enjoyable. The overwhelming tone was laughter and affection — followers noticed Harden not as a famous person flaunting his standing however as a man fumbling his approach into love like anybody else.

Why This Clip Resonates

At a time when celeb relationships typically really feel curated and distant, the honesty on this change stands out. Harden’s unfiltered awkwardness and Speights’ candid storytelling struck a chord with followers bored with the standard polished PR couple narratives.

It additionally humanized Harden’s picture, contrasting his previous tabloid repute — the membership appearances, the lavish life-style — with one thing softer and real. Speights’ playful criticism (“no sport”) got here off not as shade however as proof of actual affection.

The chemistry between them is apparent. They joke concerning the misunderstanding, tease one another on digital camera, and by no means as soon as appear rehearsed. It’s unscripted love at its most entertaining.

From the Courtroom to Netflix: A New Facet of Harden

The Beginning 5 sequence, launched by Netflix Sports activities in October 2024, offers followers behind-the-scenes entry to NBA gamers’ private lives. For Harden, it’s an opportunity to rewrite his public narrative — from a star recognized for MVP awards and scoring titles to a person studying vulnerability. Now, it’s again for its second season.

Season 2, episode 2, “Love & Basketball,” focuses on relationships, stability, and the way gamers deal with fame off the courtroom. Harden’s story with Speights matches completely inside that theme. It follows lighthearted scenes of him joking about dodging a bouquet toss at Rajon Rondo’s wedding ceremony and admitting he’s “in love however not prepared for marriage.”

A number of media retailers have highlighted this episode as one of the crucial endearing moments of the season. For as soon as, Harden wasn’t the headline for commerce rumors or nightlife images — he was trending for being awkwardly charming.

A Win for Relatability

By the subsequent morning, the meme cycle was in full swing. GIFs of Harden sipping espresso circulated with captions like “Nonetheless pulled a baddie tho” and “This man similar to us.” Even followers who usually criticize Harden’s sport admitted the second made them like him extra.

The sentiment evaluation from replies confirmed about 70% optimistic or humorous reactions, with customers calling the story “refreshing” and “probably the most human Harden has ever appeared.”

As one person put it greatest: “The beard don’t want sport. He simply wants FaceTime.”

The Takeaway

Paije Speights’ story doesn’t simply present James Harden’s softer facet — it redefines it. Behind the celebrity, the MVP trophies, and the nightlife headlines is a person who as soon as known as a girl 5 occasions earlier than breakfast simply to make her chuckle.

And judging by her smile within the clip, that persistence paid off.

Harden may not have “sport,” however he’s obtained one thing higher — authenticity.