I appreciate the positive attitude but being ballsy and trading players (especially one that wants out) isn't the same type of ballsy as walking down to the floor after a personal workout and having a conversation with the franchise player that isn't happy. I don't doubt that Raffy or Eli can pull of complicated trades...... I do question if they can do the other parts of the job like building and maintaining relationships. Time will tell.
Maybe Stone did try to sit down with Harden this week. Nobody knows the answer to that question other than the Rockets and James Harden. But what we do know for 100% is Harden did inform the team this week that he would be engaged and remain professional. So there was definitely some communication there between Harden and the Rockets at some point, rather that communication was directly from Harden to Stone or Harden to a third party.
Why would Stone come out openly and discuss the Harden situation if the situation didn't have a resolution yet? I really don't get it, the Rockets and Harden both have to put on a strong front. You're not going to publicly tell the media that you and your franchise player are having turmoil. That's not how any decent franchise/company would handle a tough situation.
Because it's his job to answer to the media when everybody knows what is going on. He doesn't have to admit what conversations they had, he just needs to come out and say that they are working with James to resolve an issue, blah blah. I mean, Silas has to answer questions about this everyday, why shouldn't Stone?
A strong front office and owner doesn't dodge a press conference after trading for John Wall....... a strong front office doesn't leave the rookie head coach and players answering all the questions about an unhappy star player. Stone doesn't have to come out and air the dirty laundry but at some point in time he could have spoken to the media and addressed the issue even with non committal responses or general platitudes that the Rockets and Harden are internally dealing with it or discussing it...... that isn't what has happened at all. The head coach hasn't even been able to defer to the GM on those questions.... instead the GM has taken cover. For all the faults of Les Alexander, do you think he would say nothing if his GM hasn't commented on something serious about the team? Alexander always spoke when the time is right. That isn't what is happening here at all.
He isn't as stupid as O'Brien but he does seem to either have an issue speaking up or he miscalculated what is a proper response.
Again more speculation. Harden has not come out and said he wants to be traded. You would only address the media about a situation if the player opened up about wanting to be traded and you are trying to get in front of the story for a PR spin. Why would Stone come out and say "oh yeah well we are trying to do what's best for Harden and the Rockets"? That's going to distress their asset even more. This is a staring contest, whoever blinks first loses. And you have to understand that if Harden wants out of Houston and wants to go to a contender, he needs to help the Rockets help him. Both sides are going to handle this matter privately which is the best approach IMO.
That is possible as well, although I don't know what that would be. Stone could even give BS empty answers and it would be better than saying nothing.
