Sources: Some issues between Harden and Howard (don't hang out anymore)

I posted a whole thread from where I sat right behind the Rockets bench at the Clips game from February and talked about how vocal he was in the huddles. Jet was more of the cheerleader that you see all the time in post-game interviews, but it was clear that Harden was the person telling people what they needed to clean up, what they needed to fix next time out, etc. That I heard with my own ears. Other than that, I see him out there whispering to guys all the time, though I obviously can't account for what is being said.

 

THIS. THIS. THIS.

this is why this season has been so amazing. not that we were just winning--but how we did it. not even i, as i tried to be optimistic last summer, could have expected the year we had.

 

I have never really understood this narrative that James isn't a leader

 

We need another superstar, if not, we never win a championship. The only persons that harden would defer to are Lebron and Durant. Rocket don't run any plays for anyone else but Harden. What superstar would put up with that?

 

A pretty smart guy once said that people don't know what they want. It's true in this case, because in starving for a taste of a juicy rumor they get the kind of 20 page civil war between people who like James and people who like Dwight. It is not healthy for the fanbase to be put in such a position whilst a Western Conference Finals. Of course the members are going to react this way. We are fans which is short for fanatics. We are irrational by definition. Cyberx has been holding on to this intel "for months" and decides to give it to us now? Sorry but I can't get on board with that kind of "reporting". I'll think about this off the court stuff once we are toast but until then I am gonna cheer for my team and hope everyone brings their best effort ON THE COURT. Everything else is irrelevant because they are paid professionals.

See you guys in the game thread.

 

It's a convenient narrative that the cheke64's of then site use when the Rockets lose. Nowhere to be found otherwise.

 

Never thought I'd say this, but *gulp* -- I agree.

 

Chef cyberx stirring the pot.

 

Anyone who has followed the Rockets this year and been to a game where you can sit close enough down to see it will tell you that Harden is undoubtedly the leader on the floor and often in the huddles/time outs from an X's and O's standpoint.

If he wasn't good at this leadership role the Rockets would have the success they had this year. Anyone questioning whether Harden can lead a successful team doesn't know what they are talking about or just looking to sh$& on Harden cause you just don't like him.

Now the maturity/partying issue... You can have an opinion on it but so far whatever imperfections he has as a human being(I know all of you are perfect) it hasn't held the Rockets back from being a contender who can improve even more in the near future.

The Harden/Howard rumor really is a separate thing. It also seems like a non issue cause of Hardens past being a laid back personality off the court and respected by everyone else on the team on the court (evident by success of team). If it's just a Dwight issue than so be it. If it gets so bad that they have to trade him or let him walk next year than so be it. Moving Harden because of these silly non issues fans have with him would be detrimental to the organization moving forward.

 

Everyone wants the Rah-Rah guy leading the charge. I see James as a leader, not the prototypical one but he is a leader. I see Dwight in the same respect. There is nothing wrong with how they conduct themselves in between the whistles but I.would. love to see a bit more energy from both guys when they don't have the ball in their hands to set something up for their teammates. A creator without the ball, if you will. Leading by example will always trump a loudmouth. Which is why I.hate Draymond Green, he does both.

 

This is a great post. I don't think at this point its possible for the team to have Dwight as the 3rd best player but I do believe he needs that be at least the 3rd offensive option. He just doesn't provide enough offense to be our 2nd option. That's a majotr issue with the team as currently constructed

 

So, hang on...

But, then...

So, if I have this right. Fans were going to run with this no matter what. But, somehow, you have managed to stay away from the fray?

So, by your logic and definitions, either you are 1) not a fan or 2) what I implied earlier about the taking-and-running truly is the culprit is essentially what you have validated.

You can't excuse fandom for being the singular reason why the fans aren't to blame for this thread while at the same time maintaining that you, yourself, are able to stay away from that uncivilized approach.

It's simple. Don't blame the messenger for the abomination (as per your thoughts) that this thread has become. I think your own words cemented that.

 

Seriously. Some of you would be better off just dropping basketball and switching to the E network full time. Some of you crave the littlest nothing of "drama" and go crazy trying to figure out players mentality on life and their approach to bball off of the littlest thing.

 

Maybe if the rockets played team ball during the regular season instead of iso/hero ball on every play, then maybe we'll be more prepared for the playoff when teams lock harden down.

 

im sad, guys

 

But TNT says hero ball is a good thing!

 

Are they not hanging out or eating with you either?

 

ok. i believe what you said. i have to admit that i havent been to a love game in years. so maybe he's more vocal than what i see on tv screen.

but, vocal or not, all leaders lead by example. this is true to not just bball. and is more important than just being vocal. i maintain my take here. in the lead-by-example department, harden is no leader, simply because of his often pathetic effort on defense.

even on the offensive end where he shines the most, in this playoff run, how many really good games did he have? less than a half by my count. that's not getting it done. and 3-16 in game 3 against the gsw was simply unacceptable on a stage as crucial as conf. finals.

 

Advancing to the conference finals is pretty impressive for a team unprepared for the playoffs.

 

If we did that we probably wouldn't even make the playoffs