Westbrook throwing the entire franchise under the bus. Next he's gonna be blaming the lack of crowd in Toyota Center for the bad culture.
A large part of the "bad culture" is in Philly. I love Morey but you were nothing more than an asset. Players that sign with Houston were really only starting their trade clock. No loyalty should be unspoken on teams but in Houston u knew the drill
This was also exactly reported by @cyberx btw, now i won't bother searching it cause the site is frozen and i'm about to go sleep, maybe @J.R. or someone else will find it, but i clearly remember he made a post about this. And i'm pretty sure something similar happened with CP3.
NOW, this culture of catering to stars didn't just start. Trevor Ariza didn't want a apology from Tilman, he wanted one from DARYL MOREY. This article confirms the toxic culture Morey created, but his apologist blame Tilman for.
I understand it might have been indicative of the culture, but in the year 2020 are we still talking about losing Ariza as a big basketball problem?
Spoiler: Athletic article The Houston Rockets’ offseason has become quite raucous — again. Nearly two months after the bumpy departure of former coach Mike D’Antoni and a month after former general manager Daryl Morey’s unexpected exit, sources tell The Athletic’s Shams Charania that one-time MVP and nine-time All-Star Russell Westbrook wants out of Houston. Westbrook, who has three years and $132 million remaining on his deal, has expressed the sentiment to Houston officials, sources told Charania. Westbrook has informed team officials that he has been uneasy about the team’s accountability and culture, and wants to join a team where he can have a role similar to his prior, floor-general role in Oklahoma City. The Rockets are fully intending to continue building a title-contender around James Harden, and rival team officials tell The Athletic that the franchise has so far been protective of both franchise centerpiece James Harden and Westbrook in trade discussions. What’s more, sources told Charania and Kelly Iko of The Athletic Houston that Harden remains committed to the Rockets and is “locked in” for the season. Harden spent time last week working out in Los Angeles, but has returned to Houston for training prior to the Dec. 1 training camp start. Westbrook, sources say, has made it known for quite some time now that he would like to see significant changes to the Rockets’ culture. Specifically, his desire for more team-wide accountability, discipline and structure have been the focus of talks with team officials. Throughout the season, Westbrook was the consistent presence who kept Harden accountable and the two close friends had several verbal exchanges that sources described as “tense, but needed.” In essence, one source said, Westbrook would like to see something closer to the Thunder culture that he helped create during his time in Oklahoma City from 2008 to 2019 as a way of making him more comfortable. The organization, in turn, has been receptive to these requests and is focused on building the sort of environment that functions better for everyone — Westbrook included. So with new general manager Rafael Stone having been elevated to the GM role and former Dallas Mavericks assistant coach Stephen Silas now in D’Antoni’s old spot, how did they get here? It has been a game of dominoes, really, and they’re not falling in the Rockets’ direction at the moment. Changes abound, and questions about the Rockets’ culture emerge For years, the dynamic that existed between Harden, D’Antoni, and Morey was inclusive, transparent, and quite successful. The ultimate goal of winning a championship wasn’t achieved, but it would be a farce to declare that the past few years had been a complete failure – especially given the various achievements the franchise experienced. Harden became an MVP and perennial All-NBA player. The team that won a franchise-record 65 games in the 2017-18 season would have been Finals-bound during that storied season if not for the infamous streak of 27 consecutive missed 3s against Golden State in Game 7 of the West Finals. Still, they were seen as legitimate contenders during these past four seasons. But the removal of these key components — D’Antoni departing for an assistant coaching position in Brooklyn and Morey becoming president of basketball operations in Philadelphia — has left serious doubt in both Harden and Westbrook’s minds of an ability to sustain long-term success, sources said. Although Harden and Westbrook were kept abreast of decisions and offered input, both players are in win-now mode and have raised questions as to whether or not that same mindset is shared with the front office, sources said. Harden was initially lured to Houston in 2012 by Morey’s ability to sell him on a successful business model, one that included a positive career arc for himself and a serious pursuit of championships. Westbrook, who was traded to the Rockets last July, was convinced by Morey and Harden that playing for D’Antoni would take his game to an even higher level, supported by a spread offensive scheme. Now, both are gone. There has been an overwhelming amount of support for Silas as he prepares to coach his own team for the first time in 20 years of experience, as well as Stone’s new position as general manager. However, as it pertains to both Harden and Westbrook, there is concern about the direction the team is heading in, specifically worried that the team may prefer a rebuild sooner rather than later, sources said. With both stars still in the prime of their careers and the championship window that was once wide open now shut considerably, both have zero interest in a rebuild, sources said. John Lucas, who was a finalist for the head coaching job after spending the last four seasons as a Rockets assistant, was promoted to lead assistant under Silas and has a unique and crucial role as it relates to Harden. In addition to having a clear understanding of the schemes Houston has operated under in recent years and of the roster, Lucas’ retention was intended, in part, to send a clear message to Harden and Westbrook that there is still a commitment to winning at the highest level, sources said. Lucas has been able to reach Houston’s stars in unique ways over the last few seasons he’s been with the franchise. D’Antoni leaned heavily on Lucas in a similar aspect during their time together, although at times he became intimidated by Lucas’ popularity and influence, sources said. The pressure keeps rising Truth be told, this Westbrook development is merely the latest challenge in what has been a trying time for the Rockets. And he’s hardly the only player who has been struggling with frustration. The pressures of winning a championship, fighting against a slew of healthy competition and their own career clocks, so to speak, resulted in a season that showed a lack of cohesion and “a mess,” as one source described it. It was an uphill battle getting everyone on the same page at times, stemming from core issues facing key players. The 2017-18 season where the franchise won 65 games saw a roster adopt a team-first mentality, but there has been a steady distancing from that, sources said. For starters, P.J. Tucker, the undeniable glue of the team, has been irate over his contract situation all season long, sources said. Tucker, who signed for around $8 million a season back in 2017, has seen other ‘Three-and-D’ wings around the league receive paydays in less important situations than a key starter for a contender and believes he is worthy of a raise, sources said. Tucker, sources said, has stated his intent to finish his career as a Rocket for a long time but felt insulted by Houston’s decision to delay extension discussions and wait until after the Feb. 6 trade deadline to guarantee his 2020-21 salary. Eric Gordon, who won Sixth Man of the Year in 2017 endured a difficult season from an injury standpoint, but was also not pleased with how his role and importance had diminished since the 2016-17 season, sources said. The Rockets haven’t been consistent with how they’ve used Gordon, at times being a bonafide scoring option and other times an expensive catch-and-shoot option. Gordon has expressed displeasure on a number of occasions, with Lucas taking the lead on keeping him focused, sources said. The question of whether Danuel House or Gordon should start has been a talking point for two seasons, although Gordon has often expressed a lack of preference with coming off the bench or starting — instead wanting his role defined and clear. Internally, there were a number of options discussed to best optimize his skillset, with one approach being not having Gordon share the floor as much with Harden and Westbrook at the same time, sources said. This, however, would require D’Antoni reducing his staggering strategy, something that he wasn’t keen on doing, sources said. House was another player who wasn’t pleased with his usage and involvement in the offense and has verbally challenged D’Antoni, Harden, and Westbrook this season, sources said. His January outburst in a road win against the Hawks was the first instance where House publicly lost his cool in that manner but this wasn’t an isolated incident, sources said. Austin Rivers, who recently stated on “The Ringer NBA Show” that he would be declining his player option for 2020-21, also experienced a frustrating season. At times, Rivers was unhappy with his inconsistent playing time and utilization, sources said. In one instance, Rivers went on an expletive-laden tirade following a game where D’Antoni called for him to be substituted, only to change his mind and insert new signing Demarre Carroll. In another instance, Rivers was barked at by Harden after the former MVP missed a free throw and blamed Rivers — who was standing up by the bench — for distracting him A large chunk of the angst, however, stems from a lack of accountability, sources said. During the January locker room meeting following a home loss to Portland, Westbrook, who was leading the meeting, went around the room indicating what was wrong and what each player needed to do to fix the losing streak, starting with himself, sources said. When it came to Harden, however, he wasn’t as receptive to criticism as other teammates, sources said. /SPOILER]
Spoiler: Part 2 Former teammates have described the culture in Houston as problematic, sources said, highlighting a situation that caters far too much to its stars. One example cited was the case of Trevor Ariza, who left the team in 2018 in search of more money, but also more respect, sources said. The Rockets attempted to bring him back down the line but Ariza, sources said, was seeking an apology that never came. Former teammates also questioned why players like Clint Capela and Chris Paul were traded, according to sources. There have also been complaints about the team’s style of play, both from former and current players on the team, sources said. Game 7 of the 2018 Western Conference Finals was the highlight of such complaints, with the team missing 27 straight 3-pointers and not adjusting or incorporating any other offensive strategy, sources said. So, what now? The accelerated nature of what has been a unique season and offseason only puts Houston in a tighter spot. Westbrook’s addition fundamentally changed how the Rockets operated from a schematic standpoint, being so committed to him that the team sent young center Capela away to afford Westbrook more space to operate. Westbrook has essentially thrown his chips to the center of the table and wants a resolution before next season, but what direction would Houston go in? More importantly, what does Coach Silas want to do? Do they revert to the 2016-17 method, using Harden as the primary ball handler, the season where he led the league in assists? Or do they scour the league for a suitable guard who can play next to Harden and still give the Rockets an elite 1-2 punch? Jrue Holiday’s name sounds much more interesting and palatable now than it did a week ago, but expect Houston to be thorough and aggressive in resolving this situation. Silas and Stone both said they were ready during their introductory press conference. Now, the ball is in their court. /SPOILER]
Culture... -Harden known night club king -Westbrook crazy tip to house keeping -House gets kicked out of the bubble -leadership leaves the team —> one on the plane ride home accountable? maybe more to a story? (everyone looking for distance but one person)
Well that's on Morey and D'Antoni and even Mchale! Managing ego's is a difficult job but the problem is you have arguably the best offensive player in the league paired with injury prone or incapable second options or third options. Hard not to cater towards the only player worth a damn on your team. Here's a lesson for Tillman get Harden capable players!
Mike Dantoni not being a Great Communicator and Not Knowing How to be Alpha Male and Leader is What is Causing this Problem. James Harden is acting too spoiled, Mike never yells at James for not hustling when Russell has the ball on offense. The San Antonio Playoff Series in which James Harden got a concussion and basically quit playing hard in the 4th Quarter. Mike Dantoni didn't yell at Harden whatsoever. It has been like that ever since. 2020 Laker Series Game 2, 3. Harden late in 4th Qtr just walking up the court, letting Russell brick shots. Mike didn't stop or call timeouts and yell at Harden and Russell that why Harden aren't you taking Over the 4th Qtr. It makes you wonder How Great was Rudy Tomjanovich was as a Leader of Alpha Males, Great Vocal Leader, Psychologist of the Team Culture. Alpha Males Personalities in Hakeem Olajuwon, Vernon Maxwell, Otis Thorpe, Clyde Drexler, Mario Elie, Sam Cassell, Robert Horry, Kenny Smith many others.
