Sources: Westbrook Recently called out Harden for having the "worst attitude" on the team

Therein lies the problem though--as a leader you need to be able to reach to more than just one type or crowd. Paul's leadership skills might work with role players but he wasn't as successful with Blake Griffin or Harden (e.g. All Stars).

Russ' calling out of Harden stems from them being best friends and that's what real friends do--they keep each other in check when need be. Paul never had that relationship with Harden before he came to Houston and probably didn't have the time (or maybe the want?) to create that relationship. Of course all of this is moot if Harden continues to be Harden.

Harden: 23 TOs over 6 games for a little less than 4 a game with a 37 usage % in the playoffs
Leonard: 11 TOs over 4 games for a little less than 3 per game with a 32 usage % in the playoffs

next question?

 

hmm, interesting

 

The rumors of that bad lockerroom in Chicago should have been seen from the get go to be honest. You had:

Wade, who only signed with Chicago because Miami didn't want to bring him back so he got a chip on his shoulder
Butler, who..well...he's Butler.
Rondo, who has pretty much alienated a lot of people, from Ray Allen as his own teammate to Chris Paul
Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic having a couple of rounds in practice
Hoiberg, who was already in over his head as an NBA coach to begin with

it was a bad mixture.

 

Did Harden tell Russ to play better defense or reduce his 4th quarter meltdowns?

Love WB, but let's call everyone out on their shyte, including Russ.

 

Russell Westbrook is a Emotional Leader, Plus Task Leader, Mature, Married with Kids, Has Both Parents to Guide Russell

James Harden is more of Task Leader, Moody, Unsettled in Life, Personally still finding himself, his own identity as a person, not as a player. Only a Mother, Father is in Jail James Harden Sr.

 

While I think this clearly needs to be more known in the nba analysis universe... it should also be a good lesson for Harden and other stars. Despite these stellar offensive numbers, his reputation is what it is. One can say "that's not fair, but won't ever change, so what can I do"... or one can be a better "leader" in a variety of ways, but principally in impacting the game during those stretches where the offense might be off, or even if the offense is on, still finding more ways to impact the game and not look so disinterested in there.

Obviously, stats for the most part only tell the offensive story. Kobe is a Mt. Rushmore backcourt defender in NBA history. Kawhi is one of the best. Wade made 3 all nba defense second teams, etc. Look...it's HALF the game. If you want to say individual defense can't possibly have the same impact as individual offense, i'd be willing to give on that, but it's still a HUGE part of the game.

And of course, the stats above don't include turnovers, something Harden has had a problem with.

No players are perfect across the board... but if on the whole we're just talking about "attitude", I think Russ is right in his critique.

 

Sorry, but lmao at the notion of a 6'0 pitbull bully a 230 lbs 6'5 guard in Harden.

The league has gone so soft that Harden literally cannot take a few harsh words from Chris. Soooooft. Charmin' Teddy bear.

Well, I have never been a CP3 fan but I appreciate that he was such a pest to his opponents. Remember Hornets Paul lighting up the Rockets, outplaying Alston?

Haven't heard much about him beefing with teammates other than Blake for leadership in LA.
Well, I did not know pre-Rockets Paul well, so there is that.

 

He would have to look in the mirror and tell himself that first. Lmaoo

 

I think we saw this with Harden when Dwight was here, when Ariza/Paul were here and now with Russ. The attitude I'm alluding to is that "man things aren't going right for me, offensively, so I'm just gonna mope around the court" that leads to many to think that Harden gets "disinterested" or lazy. I'm not really surprise that Westbrook called him out--I actually expected him to--but if James isn't going to listen to one of his only bffs in the NBA then I don't know if he'll ever change.

It wasn't the exchange between Harden and Paul that worried me--it's at the :31 mark where Paul gave Trevor a look of "Can you believe this guy???" and all Ariza could do was give a "Trust me, I've tried" or "He's not gonna change" shaking of the head that started to make me believe the Harden/Paul pairing wasn't going to last long.

 

Remember this recently from Shams/The Athletic.....lines up with @cyberx's Westbrook/Harden account.

 

You must love to deflect criticism with comparisons all the time. It's a **** way of doing things. Russ may have his issues but it's still ok for him to help his teammates by calling them out. One thing they won't be able to talk to Russ about is effort.

 

Wow, i've seen this video multiple times, but never micro-analyzed it as such.

The micro-moment at 31 seconds does indeed say everything.

 

Dirk, too



Also, come on cfnet ... Magic is the clear Top of this category

 

Meh. Where was the effort to play smarter the first 11+ years of his career?

I think it’s fine Westbrook said what he said, something tells me posters on clutchfans have made this into a much bigger situation than it truly is. But he has only the tiniest sliver of room to actually talk about attitude or sacrificing/setting aside ego for the better of the team. He literally has almost never done that his entire career.

And by many of the reactions here, people have clearly chosen to forget that fact as they pile on Harden and act like he’s been nothing but a malcontent and act like Westbrook has been the epitome of a team first player who will do anything to win.

 

Who said anything about James Harden?

CP3 did not bully James Harden.

CP3 has been a bully to DeAndre Jordan, Glen Davis and other players over the years.

The issue with Blake Griffin more had to do with Griffin being angry that Paul was viewed as the leader. Paul supposedly told Griffin to get his life together if he wants respect from his teammates.

 

Annnd the minute cp3 left him, blake's career has been downhill since.

good job Blake, you were right all along, how's everything feel now lol

 

On defense amirite?

Stones and glass houses and all that.

 

You mean like @YOLO does everytime Westbrook has an off game?

 

LOL, still pushing that fake narrative greedy?