Maybe he took a trainer with him to get his workouts in. He certainly looks ready for the season to start. I mean, the guy's not going to say, "I was partying."
This verifies early rumors, most loudly by Perk, that neither Harden or Russ may have agreed with Stone hire. Neither were involved in vetting GM candidates for sure. This is when the rumors about both Harden and Russ wanting out started. Both Harden and Russ approved of Silas, Stone not so much. The question is why is Stone such a lightning rod for our star players. What did he do? Or what did he not do?
There it is. Harden is clocking in and going to work. very revealing comments. Seems as if the franchise has started to shun him which is bush league. His body language is fine and his comments were professional and succinct. He wont be a cancer. The team can actually try to win games while Stone's amateur ass can figure out how to remedy the situation - if Fertitta allows him to that is. Just punch in .. get your 35/8/8 .. and punch out. No need for drama and hurt feelings.
Everyone is just ecstatic to go back to the Pre Harden doldrums it seems just to be able to shake a fist at the air. ungrateful fans and even worse an ungrateful owner and management team - best not to forget who sells the tickets.
So if Harden has no agent, "is asking to be traded" and has not spoken with the GM, who has he communicated with? He's been communicating with Tad Brown for basket issues? Fertitta?
What do you want him to say? "I hate Fertittas guts" .. "I hate Houston" .. "I hate the color red" .. "trade me now" You want that drama? You want him with his arms crossed in front of his chest refusing to play and continuing to be a nuisance? He spoke up. Seems like some fans like you and some of the irresponsible reporters asking loaded questions are just looking for beef and forgetting that James Harden made the Houston Rockets relevant again. let the man breathe.
Taking $40 mill and giving less than 100% seems ungrateful to me. The Rockets have nothing to apologize for.
But it goes beyond that. It almost reeks of incompetence. Stone doesn't have to be Morey-like in personality or style but to not even make an effort? Stone is trying to assert himself in some kind of unseen power struggle between himself, his players and the ghost of Morey methinks.
How about the General Manager not extending an olive branch to a franchise icon and just playing snide? That cool with you? Instead of clocking another mans pockets maybe you should be more worried about padding yours? I mean seriously how can the team know where Harden is if they wont even reach out to him? So that mean everything they know about his state of mind and considerations comes from the rumor mill - great. edit: were you ok with washed up Chris Fraud taking 40Ms for what he gave this team?
This !! He needs to be very careful how he handles this situation. But like I said , he’s playing on the best Team he could be on ,staying or traded at this time. grass might be greener on the other side but the water Bill might be higher!!!
Harden gives 1000% when he is on the court. Get out of here with this BS. Just admit that you are anti-Harden regardless and move on.
It is strategery. and a great way to set the new tone. Watch band of brothers when Major Winters makes the general surrender to the Luietenent - there is a new way here - and Stone is setting different boundaries. I am sure a lot of folks here that have managed a lot of people understand what is happening when you take over a new group. DD
I was legitimately surprised when he was initiating huddles with the new guys last night and trying to be a leader even with all the BS swirling about. Makes no sense how some people will invent scenarios in order to make the bad man look worse. SMH. James Harden is the devil!
He’s dealing with a disgruntled superstar that doesn’t want to be here. Not an easy task for a new GM but he’s not bending over backwards (Morey) or begging him to stay. It seems the point was clear: (albeit through Tad or whomever)...When a deal presents itself and provides equitable compensation; he’ll pull the trigger. I’m with Stone on this. And quite frankly tired of the soap opera. As soon as you can - Ship em out, solidify your squad and rebuild, however long it takes.
