Is it bad that Harden/Howard are not recruiting Melo/Lebron?

They are recruiting for sure, regardless of what they say in an interview.

Harden definitely recruited Dwight as well.

 

Why would any player listen to James Harden whose play has ranged from mediocre-to-awful in his last 3 playoff series? And as much as I think Dwight did well last season(including against Portland), a lot of people around the league probably still haven't gotten over his final year in Orlando and only year in L.A.

 

Hmmmm.... He did say the Toyota Center was his house... Lol.

 

Of course they're not going to try to recruit melo/LBJ,
They will save the recruiting for Klove.

 

Is it illegal to recruit players before july 1st? Does it mean if certain players do it before the date then its classified as tampering?

 

No.

They know Houston isn't getting either player....like we would all know if we take of the homer glasses.

 

I believe the answer is yes to both of those questions.

But as far as them recruiting vs not recruiting, I think them not recruiting is a just a byproduct of us being in the hunt for everybody. Last year it was technically "Dwight or nothing", so we could go all out once he refused the extension. But now let's say Harden/Howard "recruit" LeBron, then he stays in Miami, how could they possibly then turn around and give a good pitch to Melo.

I wouldn't be surprised if those guys haven't been "called off" on the recruiting pitch, because we (we being the Rockets organization) want Melo, LeBron, and KLove, to know/think they're are top targets. Despite these guys wanting to win, they have egos too. Like Harden said, recruiting and signatures is Daryl's job.....

Spoiler

 

Bingo!!! Harden and Durant are closer than Durant and Westbrook. Getting Durant in Houston means one less team in the WC to worry about. That's why they are not recruiting. Players know when to recruit and not to.

 

that is not true. it is not tampering for players to recruit each other. it is only tampering if team officials contact another player or their agent. They can't regulate player-player interaction since most of these guys are good friends and hang out in the offseason.

 

Yep a little Brokeback Toyota Center action gonna happen when Durant comes to town.

 

I know it’s hard to believe, but these players do know how to contact each other without letting the world know. You know?

 

Because they know it's a long shot that either will come, especially LeBron, and don't want to be disappointed if they don't land either of them.