None of us know what happened. What we do all know is.... - Fans don't buy tickets to watch chokers & quitters - Free agents don't come to play with chokers & quitters - Other teams don't trade good value for chokers & quitters How hard would it have been for the Rockets organization to step in soon after the game, take Harden on a well publicized trip to the hospital, and get a narrative going that the performance was due to something other than choking and quitting - even if totally untrue? You may hate Harden, but it seems obvious that a move like this would have helped all those involved - including the fans.
You don't think the 57 theories posted on CF are enough to mitigate Harden from the perception of being a choker and quitter?
Rockets already have bad publicity. This gimmick trick will not work. It will only generate more Rockets hate.
The organization should have faked Harden's death for maximum sympathy. Then Nene would "discover" a basketball talent back in South America that the Rockets would sign to a minimum three-year deal - Tiago Jardin.
Fire the walrus, and the ship will go from a heavy port list to righting itself immediately. Morgly has had enough time to collate a team of people who play no defense. It took a coach he fired 11 games later benching Harden in a crucial game 6 to get us to the WCF. Offense is great when you're a front runner, but defense gets you back in the game when the big O ain't going for you. Harden is a classic frontrunner, and needs to be surrounded by defensive players and put on a short leash when he doesn't even give effort.
Maybe instead of just protecting image and revenue, Rockets are ok LETTING the public scrutiny come in, directly aimed at Harden. So he sees it for what it is. Maybe they've protected Harden enough and don't want to enable him more than they have been. Yes, the bad look as-is could keep free agents away. But if your franchise guy isnt with the program, it might not matter who joins anyway. If Harden cant take it, then it probably wasnt meant to be Plus they already went through an ugly public situation with Motiejunas regarding legitimacy of their medical approach. Itd look shady again to literally doctor up some suspect/bogus injury to save face.
Yeah, the Rockets could have pulled some kayfabe hospital trip to save Harden's rep and value. Instead, Harden was all CLUB TIEM LOL
