Rockets goal is to make it work with Westbrook and Harden

Kobe is very different from Harden in terms of demanding terms vocally and more aggressively.

Puts winning above everything, not just making WCF or Finals but guaranteed title.
At least in his eyes.

LA has a different pressure cooking situation, bigger aims.

 

There's a really big conundrum here and to make it through the Rockets are gonna need a lot of foresight and focus. The offers for Westbrook now are, unsurprisingly, trash because his most recent outings were trash. Now as much as I hate Russ, if all we get is Randle or cap space that Tillman is never gonna use, then I'd rather hold on to him. So if the offers are useless anyway then let's roll him out in the regular season for a bit to accrue some value then dump him then. The TRAP is that when he's predictably awesome in the regular season because his mindless hustle and intensity is enough to beat on teams half assing it in the less meaningful games, we fall into thinking that maybe this could actually work and end up not trading him even for an improved package. The front office has to remember that this is FOOL'S GOLD and that Russ has and always will flounder in the playoffs in front of good teams that are playing with effort and game planning. That's really the most important thing about this. I'm cool with holding on to him till the deadline if there isn't anything good but if we get to the playoffs with him on the roster then it's all over.

 

It's weird how Harden and Westbrook are so maligned in the media but both seem to be favored now? Fanbases want to add these two to their squads? 2020?

IF you were of the mind to deal them away, I don't see why you would take anything less than the biggest trade in NBA history for Harden and the standard superstar package for Westbrook. That's that. I'm not hearing flaws, faults or contracts from teams trying to add these players to their roster. They're under contract for three more seasons. The negotiating advantage here is 100% Houston Rockets. Willing to accept blank checks. See y'all in 2023 if no blank checks arrive. I bet James and Russ turn in better deals by next year themselves, or does anyone believe they'll sit for 3 seasons and see who wants a 35 year old that hasn't played since the bubble? Leverage, thy name is Stone. Let there be glorious returns or 3 more seasons of getting to watch these two guys tear up the league together. 3 more years of figuring out the pieces AROUND them. 3 more years of getting to say we're competing to win CHAMPIONSHIPS.

 

Maligned, yes but contending teams want them as their 2nd option mostly.

 

After Harden, Westbrook and the rest of the team gets traded for .60 on the dollar I hope this deflates Tilman's ego a little bit. You can't buy a professional sports team and expect to be able to run it like one of your restaurants or casinos (e.g. cheaply). These guys aren't making hourly wages and these guys aren't employees that you can replace on the whim and expect everything to be business as usual. There's plenty of blame to give out (including some to both Russ and James) but this all starts with Fertitta. I hate to beat a dead horse or preach to the choir but that's where all of this starts.

Maybe James pushed for the Russ trade because he knew this was one way he could get out of Houston lol *tinfoil hat on*

 

I don't think that's the story amigo. Westbrook has been rumored to teams like the Magic and Knicks who need a star to get them into the playoffs. Harden has been rumored to the 76ers to definitely not be the 2nd best player there. I'm talking maligned like ESPN always dogging Harden for everything, but now he's wanted in Brooklyn, New York??? Just interesting they all want a player they hate so much. Westbrook was an official glory boy for ESPN for like, at least 2 seasons and that was recent. Yeah the year with PG and last season weren't the greatest in terms of perception but it seems unreal that the idea is we can't get a big return for Westbrook when the media poured praise onto him not that long ago.

My point is, if it's really time to tear it down...we at least need to be patient and not accept bullshit offers. This weak-hearted fanbase can't handle having 2 superstar teammates, can it at least wait and not accept .70 cents on the dollar just because it needs to pout that badly? When the reality is the Rockets have every means to expect and receive godfather offers for both of them? No wonder Morey left. Tillman is just the embodiment of the fanbase I guess: critical and impatient.

 

Don't want to give up on Russ and Harden yet. Russ was balling before covid hit. You could say he was playing better than Harden for a stretch

 

This is the right stance for the org to take. Not because it will repair the situation (it's a lost cause) but because if they send the message to all that we're having a fire sale then that drives down the price.

 

trade window officially open. Bye bye westbrick. Good riddance

 

pay tax to buy a center and power forward all star

 

the problem is Tillman won't upgrade the pieces around them....we do not have enough talent to beat the lakers and probably a few others. we have peaked and they aren't getting any younger. this is the best time to do this. their value would be less next year

 

Let's hope for the best. I admit leopards don't change their spots. Silas has a huge challenge on his hands with WB and JH/ EG.

 

The Chronicle reported this, so it’s true. He wants out.

 

Gordon has to go.

 

the goal should be to tank while fans aren't even allowed in arenas.

 

No doubt this is the worst thing any of us will read today.

Total gut punch.