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[O'Connor] Harden may have request trade from the Rockets if Chris Paul weren't traded...

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by blahblehblah, Jul 17, 2019.

  1. blahblehblah

    blahblehblah Member

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    Heard this from Kevin O'Connor while listening to the Ringer's podcast "the Mismatch" and thought maybe I.D.I.O.T.
    If true, I guess Morey & the Rockets had no choice but to do the deal. Furthermore, it's pretty crazy if true.

    For those unfamiliar with O'Connor, he is big on analytics, draft picks, blowing it up and usually extremely positive about the Rockets & Harden, whereas his co-host Chris Vernon is usually the opposite ( i enjoy both their takes).

    Edit to add source: https://www.theringer.com/2019/7/16...ple-effects-westbrook-trade-star-movement-era
     
  2. icewill36

    icewill36 Member

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    ive been saying that was bound to happen, but more because of the failure of the front office to get better talent around him, effectively wasting his prime.
     
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  3. PhilCollins

    PhilCollins Contributing Member

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    Makes sense
     
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  4. BHannes2BHonest

    BHannes2BHonest 2 SOLID FOR WEIRD AZZES

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    Harden needs to say something about the tax issue then. I’m sure we have and will continue to have opportunities to get better by spending $$. Fertitta has yet to go all in on that aspect though.
     
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  5. hooroo

    hooroo Member

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    arriving this late to the game... it's probably a very salty cp3 getting his people to leak this because he didn't get traded to the lakers or miami.
     
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  6. Jbarrachina

    Jbarrachina Member

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    Should have traded Harden then
     
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  7. JW86

    JW86 Member

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    "May have" as in maybe, nobody knows. This is pure speculation.
     
  8. Rox>Mavs

    Rox>Mavs Contributing Member

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    Wait didn’t Harden want CP3 here to begin with? IIRC they got together after both were eliminated and that’s when CP3 decided to come here. Based off of his conversations with Harden. Why blame the FO when Harden is the one who at the very least signed off on this if not pushed for it?

    Harden can change his mind for certain after a couple years and seeing paul’s play drop off. But the FO moved mountains and tons of assets to bring CP3 here at Hardens request.
     
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  9. Riz

    Riz Contributing Member

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    Is this before or after Harden said Rockets is his home? Rhetorical.

    I can believe the lesser version of this where Harden told the management to replace CP3 with another star.
     
  10. blahblehblah

    blahblehblah Member

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    Agreed... asides from CP3, Harden, Morey and Tilman, nobody really knows. Ultimately a lot of the stories we here from journalists, even those we trust, involve a significant level of speculation, both from the journalist themselves and/or their source.

    But in this case, I tend to believe O'Connor is reporting what he believes to be true. He's always been extremely positive about Harden/Rockets, has a reputation as a good journalist and isn't some attention w**** like Chris Broussard.

    Lastly, I don't know if the CP3/Harden problems were to this degree, but from all the leaks, stories the past few months - I definitely believe their were PROBLEMS.
     
    #10 blahblehblah, Jul 17, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2019
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  11. Spacemoth

    Spacemoth Contributing Member

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    Vernon has always been anti-Houston, but he has also historically been pro-Westbrook. Although he's laughing at the irony of analytics nerds / Houston fans having to do an about face, he's also secretly internally conflicted now, having to root for Westbrook in silence.
     
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  12. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Contributing Member

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    It's what Goodwill said
     
  13. HP3

    HP3 Member

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    Believe Tucker and Rivers that this was completely overblown, not to mention the Rockets even AFTER trading him said the tension wasnt as bad as anyone made it out to be. O'Coonor i great but given what the actual players have said I tend to believe them over anyone else, especially Tucker.
     
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  14. treyk3

    treyk3 Member

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    The Ringer has the goods. On the latest BS Podcast with Zach Lowe, one of them (I think Bill) mentioned Fert’s upcoming book Shut up and Listen and both agreed Morey won’t be there very long. DMo is close with BS so I’m guessing that’s telling.
     
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  15. HOUSTON2017

    HOUSTON2017 Member

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    this owner is really going to destroy the Rockets :(
     
  16. J Sizzle

    J Sizzle Member

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    Well if we traded Harden then Tilman would avoid the tax, so it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world
     
  17. blahblehblah

    blahblehblah Member

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    LOL yes.

    He's admitted on the podcast multiple times to hating watching Harden's game, while conversely loving watching Westbrooks "drive" and "will". I still like Vernon though, his grouchy takes are really entertaining especially when opposed by O'Connor's often optimistic ones.

    I also couldn't believe he wasn't a 60+ year old black guy lol judging from his voice and personality.
     
  18. HP3

    HP3 Member

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    Ehhh, thats a lot of speculation, Bill Simmons most of the time just throws crap at the wall and sees what sticks. Most of his takes are wrong, and the guy just spins his own narratives.
     
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  19. Verbal Christ

    Verbal Christ Member

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    Pffff ..Lets see choose between Harden or Paul? Hmmmm. That was easy! POF's are really, really mad now!
    [​IMG]
     
  20. blahblehblah

    blahblehblah Member

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    Good point about the Rockets comments AFTER the trade, but not sure if I'll give much credence to what Rivers and Tucker were saying back in late June, early July... PRIOR to the trade.

    Players have an incentive to cover for their teammates... keep the problems "IN HOUSE." Players on the Rockets were saying Harden/Howard had no problems for the longest time, just like players on the Spurs were saying Kawhi/Spurs were great also. Even the Shaq/Kobe drama was down played for years until it couldn't be.
     
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