Yup Harden sulks and slow walks with his head down when he's struggling in a game rather than racheting up his motor and intensity.
There are two sides. Harden wins no matter what, either he is competing or he is resting and waiting for trade offers. The Rockets can only lose in this scenario.
And... whilst he's doing that, he's still by far our best player. He can play awful and still get you 30 plus points. Can't say the same for most of the other top players in the league.
you haven't laid out the other side, the side in which you claim the rockets are losing. tilfuk doesn't have to pay him, and yet his trade value is going to remain the same for at least the next couple months
Harden is the leader to the extent of the example he sets in games, playing hurt and practicing hard. He has never been a verbal leader, and while players rally behind him and his dominance... they have always gone to veterans like Ariza and Tucker for other leadership qualities. There is this idea fans have that the best player is the best leader and that is usually not the case. There are a number of great players that were not great leaders. Shaq wasn’t a leader in the way people think, neither was McHale, Barkley, Dominique, Kareem and many other all time greats. It usually isn’t an issue. Right now everyone is sensitive because Harden apparently partied without a mask after he requested a trade and as a result cannot participate in practice. Had he not requested a trade this wouldn’t be as big a deal. I have no problem with Harden partying because he is always in shape, has greatly improved every year and always shows up to play. I do have a problem with him not wearing a mask when it is mandated by the league and means he starts camp late. I do think there is an element of Harden giving a slight “**** you” to the Rockets organization.... it is a story now, how well the Rockets play will determine how long it is a problem. What I can say without question is that IF Wall is healthy he will be an upgrade for the Rockets... he is just a better fit.
The main thing to remember about Harden is that he doesn’t immediately trust people or attempt to forge relationships. Daryl Morey talked about it in the past. It took Daryl awhile to get Harden to trust him and open up to him. The same with MDA. Once trust is established Harden is pretty loyal. So the reality is Silas will need to gain Harden’s trust and that happens with the Rockets winning and Silas being true to his word. So it may take a little time.
