My informed speculation on the end of Harden's tenure

It's definitely open for interpretation. Like @justtxyank stated, there is still that detail regarding him working out with Durant in August/September reported by WOJ.

We all can choose what we want to believe for sure.

 

LMAO

 

Harden himself said the optics from the outside were much worse than they actually were. He thanked the organization plenty of times in his interview and in his goodbye statement. The Rockets sent him exactly where he wanted to go, they just had to wait till the assets were all the way there. Maybe Morey dangling Simmons was just a favor to the Rockets/Harden to get BKN to give everything they could. Kyrie leaving the team was to force BKN to give up all the assets, or scared them into doing it not knowing his future with the team. Regardless, the Rockets come out of this looking good from all sides. I'm feeling better about our future.

 

Always comes down to Tilman and his ego.

 

All of this can be true, but doesn't change the fact that Harden can't get past his inability to mesh with other superstars in his time in Houston, and his subsequent "meddling" in moves.

Because when its all said and done, I have a couple of issues:

#1 - the biggest, he completely ****ED the rebuild with his ridiculous push for Russ because of his ridiculous inability to accept any degree of criticism from another player on the team.... whether its CP3 or Tate. To be fair, its not completely screwed because of what Stone was able to do, but the swaps and picks given up to OKC hurt.

#2 - it wasn't clear to fans or media (who get the info VERY fast now, like real time), so it likely wasn't clear to management until decently into the offseason when we first started hearing about it, that Harden wanted out

#3 - he can say he gave his all as much as he wants, this season he definitely did not. The way he came into camp (or didn't), the way he performed, his weight (it's not a joke, look at the dude), etc. Who cares "how long" he's been here. Tate's only been here a few months - i expect professionalism from professionals, especially those getting PAID.

 

Players TALK ALL THE TIME. He asked out the moment Silas got hired.

 

pretty sure he is @swedish-olajuwon and the son is the idiot 13 year old rapper

 

in other words Stone done Morey wrong

 

Daryl Morey is the One Trading for Russell Westbrook, giving away 1st Roind Draft Pick like its nothing.

Daryl has been giving away Draft Picks away for years. Lou Williams trade giving away a 1st, trading Jeremy Lin with a 1st Rd Pick to get rid of his $15 Poison Pill Contract.

 

Fixed

 

A plane from the guy who thought the world was flat? LMAO

 

I have a hard time believing that Rafael Stone didn't call Morey to let him know they were sending him to Brooklyn. Eventually they may have to deal again and it is in their best interest to keep the relationship intact.

 

You would think that was the case but not certain that relationship is as strong as Morey's with Monte and Gersshon.

 

I just don't respect Daryl Morey.

Trading Every Draft Pick for Years.

Even before the Westbrook trade.

Trading away a 1st to trade away Lin, Brewer traded away with a 1st

Williams a bust traded for a 1st to the Nets years ago.

 

Rafael Stone Carpool buddy Daryl Morey got shafted lol

Well Daryl did break Rafael Stone Dashboard in his Car, when Daryl got angry. Probably a rejected trade.

 

Interesting. I firmly believe MDA and Morey knew that Harden would leave and this was the reason for their exit and that report about his ultimatum last year supports this. I believe Management hedged the possibility of losing James with acquiring Wood as a young potential star and future of the franchise. Also the Rox did not obtain any major vet player (Ibaka) as many expected. Instead the roster was filled with relatively unknown and inexperienced role players suggesting a rebuild of sorts.

The Rockets lack of assets and financial situation possibly contributed to Hardens and Russ’ reported concerns along with their desire for Lue. This may have led to Westbrook’s exit which didn’t help Harden’s mindset either if he had any thoughts of staying. We don’t truly know why Westbrook left other than a report that says he wants to be a true PG again. But possibly maybe Westbrook too knew discussing the future with harden. We don’t know for sure.

There was a report that Harden did not request a trade after the Westbrook story broke. But with all the moving pieces and the lure of the Nets perhaps James possibly made up his mind at some point. I think management understood all of this and had a small hope that Harden stays as reports suggested. But in the end deep down they knew and the writing was on the wall and have been preparing for an overhaul.

 

Agree that James wanted out or had at least thought about leaving before MDA and Morey leaving but I argue that those two along with the rest of management team and players sort of knew that last year would be his last. Why else would they leave so abruptly and then reports surfaced of them interested in Harden? And why would management trade for wood and bring on an inexperienced supporting cast instead of savvy vets like ibaka if their goals weren’t rebuilding. You surely can’t expect to win a title with wood this year or second tier bench guys and rookies.

 

Harden needs to get married and have some kids. Grow the F up.

 

He needs a steadfast, loyal one, and hope is she won't be thrown under a bus like his teammates.