That makes sense, Rockets have no chance to compete for a ring over the next couple years. Philly gives him the best chance while not taking a huge salary cut.
There's no logic in "taking our medicine" - there's no inherent cosmic justice reward being meted out that says "you struggle to your 4th straight pathetic season - your suffering will be rewarded in the future, even though you have no draft pick!" That's learned helplessness thinking that lets Tilman, Patrick and Stone off the hook. There's no upside in the Rockets being a pathetic developmental squad again. You could argue that it makes it even harder to crawl out if the bottom as you create a stench of permanent failure around the "rebuild" I watch the games to watch games, not to Hinkiebrain genius myself repeatedly and pretend like it makes me a moral ubermensch in process pantheon
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...renewed-consideration-in-fa-amid-rockets-buzz According to NBA insider Marc Stein, "There have been some rumbles this week that, despite the undeniably strong lure that a return to Houston holds for Harden, he is said to be giving renewed consideration to staying put." “Some fresh hope, perhaps, if you’re rooting for James Harden to stay with the 76ers: There have been some rumbles this week that, despite the undeniably strong lure that a return to Houston holds for Harden, he is said to be giving renewed consideration to staying put. There is a loyalty factor for Harden to weigh after Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey spent the bulk of his first 15 months in the City of Brotherly Love trying to acquire him, finally succeeding in February 2022.”
Rockets aren't giving him the max, never was, end of story, ploy is uncovered, leverage talk is dead. He's staying his toxic ass put. Reeko hardcore Harden fan (probably a relative) is gone.
Reeko is also knowledgeable about basketball and a good poster. I have soured on Harden after Ime said he wanted to run a high post offense with lots of screens and cutters. Harden doesn’t fit, but I do understand the appeal.
Man I love Harden. Dude I hate Harden. Harden is the answer to many of our woes. Harden sucks the taint cheese off the guy who just worked a 10 hour shift in the taco truck. ---This thread
Ime needs a real shot at developing our young players and bringing in vets that fit his philosophy of playing offense and defense. We can't blow this by bringing in Harden's or Kyrie's... we gotta be smarter.
Harden gave Houston some great years and am happy to see the Rockets help him leverage a nice final max contract out of Philly. Doesn't bother me one bit. Never thought it made sense to bring him back home just yet anyways. No need to short cut the rebuild especially because our best hope at a superstar still is Jalen Green and next year will be a big year for him where he’ll need the ball in his hands more and more. I’d much rather find a way to get CP3 back or Kyle Lowry or even overpay Van Fleet to come in and provide good stable guardplay while not over stifling the offense and making the other guys bystanders.
