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re: 'There's too much damn turmoil': An unsettling vibe surrounds these Rockets
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:11 am to SPEEDY
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:11 am to SPEEDY
quote:
THE NEWS CONFERENCE featuring Harden and Paul following the Rockets' playoff opener started like so many Houston possessions. Harden got all the action while Paul served as an increasingly frustrated bystander.
The first three questions were directed to Harden, who delivered 29 points and 10 assists in the blowout win despite the Utah Jazz drastically altering their defensive scheme to deal with his off-dribble brilliance. The fourth inquiry addressed both players, but Harden answered as Paul fidgeted with his beard and looked down at the box score in front of him, showing his 14 points and seven assists on fewer than half as many field goal attempts as his backcourt mate.
As the fifth question was being asked, focusing on Utah's unique approach to guarding Harden, Paul looked over at the Rockets' PR chief and then at his teammate. "I'm out of here," Paul muttered, prompting an awkward chuckle and quick palm raise from Harden. A second later, a little more than two minutes into the podium session, Paul got up, patted Harden on his left shoulder and exited stage right.
"Uh," Harden said as the reporter finished the question. Harden raised his eyebrows, shook his head and turned to watch uncomfortably as Paul left the room. Then he took a few moments to collect his thoughts and continued with the news conference.
#championship
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:12 am to sicboy
but anyone would kill for the chance to play with hardwn
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:15 am to Cheesy Beaver
and kept reading
quote:
It played as a humorous moment on social media. But some within the Rockets organization saw it differently -- a public glimpse at the difficult dynamic between the franchise's two stubborn stars, who are at drastically different points in their careers: one a perennial MVP candidate in his prime, the other showing signs of physical decline.
The friction between the two manifested again during the Rockets' playoff finale. Harden and Paul had tense exchanges regarding Harden's ball dominance and Paul's desire to run set plays as the Warriors pulled off a comeback during the fourth quarter of Houston's Game 6 elimination loss, team sources said. Paul made sure he didn't share the microphone with Harden that night, getting dressed faster than usual and taking his turn alone at the podium before Warriors coach Steve Kerr, breaking NBA protocol of coaches conducting their news conferences first.
When Harden took his turn at the podium, he declared, "I know exactly what we need to do. We'll figure it out this summer." He declined to elaborate.
quote:
Harden is arguably the best isolation player in league history, capable of carrying the Rockets to elite offensive efficiency by going one-on-one over and over again. That style also worked well for Paul during the Rockets' 65-win campaign in 2017-18, when Paul ranked behind only Harden in isolation efficiency among high-volume players.
But Paul noticeably lost a step last season, as evidenced by analytics and the eye test. Paul pushed for more plays and sets in the Houston offense, more screening and deception, despite Harden being in the process of putting together a historically dominant individual offensive season.
"Chris wants to coach James," says a source familiar with the stars' dynamic. "James looks at him like, 'You can't even beat your man. Just shut up and watch me.'"
This post was edited on 6/17/19 at 11:17 am
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:17 am to sicboy
quote:
Yet this is hardly the first time rumors about these two All-Star-caliber players have clashed, with Paul often playing second fiddle in this offense and only becoming an important part of the team’s offense once Harden leaves the floor. According to MacMahon, Paul “cherishes the chance to play without Harden” on the floor. Paul has barked at head coach Mike D’Antoni to keep Harden on the bench while he was running the second unit — all while Harden simultaneously would demand to check back into the game. Houston, we have a big, big problem.
quote:
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Fertitta has “grumbled about Paul’s contract, expressing regrets to Rockets staffers and even in front of rival executives.”
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:18 am to SPEEDY
My biggest issue with the NBA...people seem more interested in the off the court drama than the actual game.
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:21 am to Cheesy Beaver
quote:
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Fertitta has “grumbled about Paul’s contract, expressing regrets to Rockets staffers and even in front of rival executives.”
Yikes
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:21 am to SwaggerCopter
quote:
This board only trusts ESPN if they are hating on the Rockets. Just so desperate for Clutch City to be irrelevant
Shouldn't have to wait much longer
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:21 am to Cheesy Beaver
quote:
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Fertitta has “grumbled about Paul’s contract, expressing regrets to Rockets staffers and even in front of rival executives.”
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:22 am to Cheesy Beaver
quote:
According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Fertitta has “grumbled about Paul’s contract, expressing regrets to Rockets staffers and even in front of rival executives.”
frick Tilman Fertitta. If true, that's despicable. I dont care what he truly thinks of that contract, that's just highly unprofessional.
I hope that's not true otherwise I'm not looking forward to what this franchise becomes under Tilamn & sons.
His son is fricking 22 and hes already grooming him to take the team over in the next decade. frick that man.
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:23 am to sicboy
quote:
"Chris wants to coach James," says a source familiar with the stars' dynamic. "James looks at him like, 'You can't even beat your man. Just shut up and watch me.'"
Well that's not surprising. Someone that can't get over the hump refuses to take instruction.
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:30 am to SPEEDY
quote:
the inexperienced owner steering the ship through choppy waters while creating waves of his own.
I usually roll my eyes at sports journalism, bit this bit is pretty well written
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:43 am to tiggerthetooth
Daryl dispelled the rumors this AM. Chris is not on the block. Chris has not asked to be traded. I understand Chris having a hard time with his role diminishing as he ages. That is natural, it is par for the course. James is probably better now than Chris ever was. Chris is a dog he is a competitor. And the season ends with a L so these guys aren’t happy.
Chris knows his best chance of a title is to be James’ sidekick. If he wanted to play with lebron he would’ve played the last year of his contract w the clips and then went to the lakers with lebron. Wouldn’t have even had to move his family to Texas from Cali. He knew he had a better chance for his elusive title with harden than with lebron.
Chris knows his best chance of a title is to be James’ sidekick. If he wanted to play with lebron he would’ve played the last year of his contract w the clips and then went to the lakers with lebron. Wouldn’t have even had to move his family to Texas from Cali. He knew he had a better chance for his elusive title with harden than with lebron.
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:47 am to Boomshockalocka
quote:
Chris knows his best chance of a title is to be James’ sidekick.
Hasn't it been proven that having a strict iso offense isn't going to cut it if you want to win a championship? It's why Westbrook is 3-14 in his last 17 playoff games. You need a team. Paul is slowing down, but he still has a skill set you can use. If it's just going to be "give James the ball and watch", then I can't blame him for being unsettled.
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:49 am to sicboy
Westbrook is 3-17.
Nobody but GOAT can even avoid the gentleman’s sweep.m v harden. Please don’t compare the two. No comparison.
.@stephenasmith from this morning: "I've been hearing that James Harden himself and Jimmy Butler have been communicating, tremendously so. That's something that Jimmy Butler will consider, ultimately going to Houston." #Rockets
Butler reportedly consoldering coming earn peanuts in order to play with hardwn.
Nobody but GOAT can even avoid the gentleman’s sweep.m v harden. Please don’t compare the two. No comparison.
.@stephenasmith from this morning: "I've been hearing that James Harden himself and Jimmy Butler have been communicating, tremendously so. That's something that Jimmy Butler will consider, ultimately going to Houston." #Rockets
Butler reportedly consoldering coming earn peanuts in order to play with hardwn.
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:53 am to Cheesy Beaver
quote:
Fertitta has “grumbled about Paul’s contract, expressing regrets to Rockets staffers and even in front of rival executives.”
Jerry West
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:54 am to Boomshockalocka
quote:but i thought they were using the MLE on deandre?
Butler reportedly consoldering coming earn peanuts in order to play with hardwn.
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:54 am to SDVTiger
Jerruh did the Rockets organization beyond dirty
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:55 am to Boomshockalocka
I think Butler would have to be an opt-in and trade.
Posted on 6/17/19 at 11:55 am to GeauxAggie972
quote:
Jerruh did the Rockets organization beyond dirty
Yeah bigly he raped the frick out of Moreys face
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