ATL - 20-21 Season Begins

[Baddy Chuck]

Still want Harden. Don't care.

[FlagsFlyForever]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30528130/james-harden-houston-rockets-breaking-point

The Houston Rockets' culture in the James Harden era, which bridges two owners and four head coaches, might be best summed up by a former staffer's three words: "Whatever James wants."

Unless they were on the front end of a back-to-back, it was a sure thing that the Rockets stayed overnight -- or even an extra day -- after games in Los Angeles, Phoenix and other road cities that rank among Harden's favorite stops. If the Rockets had two or three days between games, Harden would call for an off day and charter a private jet to party in Las Vegas or another city. "Just James being James," those currently within the franchise say.

Harden has pushed the Rockets to upgrade every offseason, saying he would want to be traded if they couldn't contend, sources said. And he had final say on things beyond just travel and practice schedules as well. He could call the shots on personnel moves, both on the roster and the coaching staff, a power he flexed to push for the firing of head coach Kevin McHale and departures of co-stars Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, sources said.

By leaving the Rockets twisting in the wind while camp opened with little communication, Harden made his absence the focus of rookie head coach Stephen Silas' first days of practice. And by blowing off the NBA's COVID-19 protocols, partying maskless during the pandemic and boasting about it on Instagram, Harden revealed what could come if he doesn't get his way.

"Yeah, he's going to act up," a former Rockets staffer said. "He's never heard 'no' before."

Multiple Rockets officials acknowledge that the entire organization has been "complicit" in the culture that has been created over the past eight years. "We knew who the boss of the organization was," a former Rockets assistant coach said. "That's just part of what the deal was when you go to Houston. The players, coaches, GM, owner all know. I don't blame James. I blame the organization. It's not his fault. He did what they allowed him to do."

But the lack of discipline and attention to detail hasn't been OK with Paul and Russell Westbrook, ultimately leading to breakups between Harden and those two stars. One of Paul's biggest beefs, sources said, was that Harden basically opted not to participate in the Rockets' offense when the ball wasn't in his hands, sometimes barely stepping over half court while spectating when Paul had the ball. Harden quickly tired of Paul barking about his concerns, which included lobbying coach Mike D'Antoni to implement more structure and movement in an offensive system that revolved around Harden's isolations, sources said.

As soon as Westbrook became available. Harden insisted the Rockets get the deal done, saying he'd demand a trade if they didn't find a way to bring his childhood friend and former OKC teammate to Houston, sources said.

Houston's casual culture appalled Westbrook. Westbrook didn't tolerate tardiness. With the Rockets, scheduled departure times were treated as mere suggestions by Harden and others. "Nothing ever starts on time," a former Rockets staffer said. "The plane is always late. The bus is never on time. ... It's just an organized AAU team."

On one occasion in the Florida bubble, Harden waited to get his daily COVID-19 testing until just before the Rockets' film session was scheduled to start. When he wasn't on time, Westbrook barked, "Start the film! Start without him!" D'Antoni explained that they'd just have to start over when Harden arrived, which didn't do much to calm Westbrook.

"You can't get mad at your kid if you let him eat candy every night and then suddenly one night you don't and they throw a tantrum," an ex-Houston assistant coach said. "You're the one who let them eat candy every night. The Rockets turned the organization over to James, and now they have to live with the fallout."

[raferfenix]

Anyone know how Bogdan looked last night?

Think he came off the bench if that’s right.

Read on Twitter

[Pachinko_]

Anyone know how Bogdan looked last night?

He made his shots but that Bulls D was a disaster

[Daver]

Speaking of making shots when was the last time anyone saw bleds go 4-8 from 3 well he did last night

[giannis and 1]

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30528130/james-harden-houston-rockets-breaking-point

The Houston Rockets' culture in the James Harden era, which bridges two owners and four head coaches, might be best summed up by a former staffer's three words: "Whatever James wants."

Unless they were on the front end of a back-to-back, it was a sure thing that the Rockets stayed overnight -- or even an extra day -- after games in Los Angeles, Phoenix and other road cities that rank among Harden's favorite stops. If the Rockets had two or three days between games, Harden would call for an off day and charter a private jet to party in Las Vegas or another city. "Just James being James," those currently within the franchise say.

Harden has pushed the Rockets to upgrade every offseason, saying he would want to be traded if they couldn't contend, sources said. And he had final say on things beyond just travel and practice schedules as well. He could call the shots on personnel moves, both on the roster and the coaching staff, a power he flexed to push for the firing of head coach Kevin McHale and departures of co-stars Dwight Howard and Chris Paul, sources said.

By leaving the Rockets twisting in the wind while camp opened with little communication, Harden made his absence the focus of rookie head coach Stephen Silas' first days of practice. And by blowing off the NBA's COVID-19 protocols, partying maskless during the pandemic and boasting about it on Instagram, Harden revealed what could come if he doesn't get his way.

"Yeah, he's going to act up," a former Rockets staffer said. "He's never heard 'no' before."

Multiple Rockets officials acknowledge that the entire organization has been "complicit" in the culture that has been created over the past eight years. "We knew who the boss of the organization was," a former Rockets assistant coach said. "That's just part of what the deal was when you go to Houston. The players, coaches, GM, owner all know. I don't blame James. I blame the organization. It's not his fault. He did what they allowed him to do."

But the lack of discipline and attention to detail hasn't been OK with Paul and Russell Westbrook, ultimately leading to breakups between Harden and those two stars. One of Paul's biggest beefs, sources said, was that Harden basically opted not to participate in the Rockets' offense when the ball wasn't in his hands, sometimes barely stepping over half court while spectating when Paul had the ball. Harden quickly tired of Paul barking about his concerns, which included lobbying coach Mike D'Antoni to implement more structure and movement in an offensive system that revolved around Harden's isolations, sources said.

As soon as Westbrook became available. Harden insisted the Rockets get the deal done, saying he'd demand a trade if they didn't find a way to bring his childhood friend and former OKC teammate to Houston, sources said.

Houston's casual culture appalled Westbrook. Westbrook didn't tolerate tardiness. With the Rockets, scheduled departure times were treated as mere suggestions by Harden and others. "Nothing ever starts on time," a former Rockets staffer said. "The plane is always late. The bus is never on time. ... It's just an organized AAU team."

On one occasion in the Florida bubble, Harden waited to get his daily COVID-19 testing until just before the Rockets' film session was scheduled to start. When he wasn't on time, Westbrook barked, "Start the film! Start without him!" D'Antoni explained that they'd just have to start over when Harden arrived, which didn't do much to calm Westbrook.

"You can't get mad at your kid if you let him eat candy every night and then suddenly one night you don't and they throw a tantrum," an ex-Houston assistant coach said. "You're the one who let them eat candy every night. The Rockets turned the organization over to James, and now they have to live with the fallout."

sTiLL WaNt hArDeNnN.

[FrieAaron]

Speaking of making shots when was the last time anyone saw bleds go 4-8 from 3 well he did last night

Game 8 of last season he went 4/8. He also went 5/6 last season and 4/6 a couple times.

[HKPackFan]

Speaking of making shots when was the last time anyone saw bleds go 4-8 from 3 well he did last night

Game 8 of last season he went 4/8. He also went 5/6 last season and 4/6 a couple times.

Regular season Bledsoe is great. He has plenty of very good games.

[ShootingtheJ]

Speaking of making shots when was the last time anyone saw bleds go 4-8 from 3 well he did last night

Game 8 of last season he went 4/8. He also went 5/6 last season and 4/6 a couple times.

Regular season Bledsoe is great. He has plenty of very good games.

Except for the fact that we had to bench him at crunch time because his decision making is a disaster.

[HKPackFan]

Game 8 of last season he went 4/8. He also went 5/6 last season and 4/6 a couple times.

Regular season Bledsoe is great. He has plenty of very good games.

Except for the fact that we had to bench him at crunch time because his decision making is a disaster.

Of course. Crunch time was terrible and playoffs worse.


But it shouldn't be a surprise Bledsoe has some good games with the pelicans. Im sure he's going to have a ton of highlights. Aqua dagger. The bledshow. Bledsoe coz I said so! He's earned plenty of fun nicknames with fantastic plays.... We just know when we need him in the post-season... He fails miserably.

[raferfenix]

Bledsoe is going to be great for the Pelicans.

He needed a change of scenery and they aren’t likely to make any deep playoff runs any time so soon where his jitters would become a real problem.

It came at our expense but am still impressed that David Griffin was able to extract George Hill as well as an additional first and pick swap from us to close the deal. And I say that while being highly optimistic about Holiday!

[ReasonablySober]

It won't happen, but there isn't a team I want to flop harder than Miami. I want to see Herro shooting in the 30%'s, Butler have some DNP-Old's, the defense look mediocre.

[H2tObes]

Incredible how much money Meyers Leonard has stolen from NBA FO's because he is tall and can shoot. Merry Christmas yall

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Interesting watching Ball and Bledsoe playing together. It seems to work ok because there is more action where spacing is created by ball movement and confusion.

Also like Adams. Seems to do a good job matching the Heats physicality and then topping it.

[soxperry]

That last shot of the quarter by Bledsoe was his offensive limitation in a nutshell. Can seperate, can drive, but if he cant get all the way to the rim he doesnt have a reliable shot to go to so he just tosses it up. I dont even know what to call that shot. Jrue is much more tactful.

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Dragic is so underrated for the heat

[MartyConlonOnTheRun]

Well this game really turned. Hopefully the Bucks game is as equal of a blowout with Giannis getting 50

[H2tObes]

The vets like Dragic, Butler, and Iggy are the heart and soul of the Heat. Would love to have any of those guys on the Bucks, they understand winning basketball

[HKPackFan]

Good Bledsoe is so gooood... I love his flex and he's made of steel and so fast and athletic. But bad Bledsoe.... Is so bad... Hard to watch.

[jschligs]

Speaking of making shots when was the last time anyone saw bleds go 4-8 from 3 well he did last night

He’s now 1/8 and 0/4 from 3 today