Month: December 2020

Rockets Return to Houston, Host Kings in Home Opener

A King’s Welcome.    Rearview Mirror.    The Kentucky Debut.

Home. Whether it’s a physical place, a feeling, or a state-of-mind, we all know what home means. “There’s no place like home,” the well-known sentiment Dorothy states in The Wizard of Oz has been echoed countless times since the film debuted decades ago. You’ve heard it somewhere. And now.. finally, the Rockets return home to Toyota Center for their home opener to face a young, upstart Sacramento Kings squad. Houston lost its first two games, on the road in Portland and Denver, so the squad will be looking for a welcome homecoming to get back on track. The Kings are 3-1, with two victories over Denver, the team the Rockets lost to in their last game. Is this the season Sacramento breaks into the playoff fold out West? We’ll see, but to start, Sac-Town looks as good as they’ve had in years.

Houston’s own king, James Harden, returns home, that is, if Houston is still the place he wants to call home, along with his Rockets teammates on New Year’s Eve. And tonight, the Beard will have more help than he did in the first two games. John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins will make their much-anticipated debuts in Houston on Thursday. The Kentucky duo are both coming off lengthy injuries (Especially John Wall, who hasn’t played a regular season game in over two years), but they looked very promising in the pre-season. Wall looks to have regained his quick first step that allows him to easily slip by defenders. And “Boogie” Cousins looked versatile, being able to play in the post, as well as knock down the Rockets patented three-point bucket. Hopefully, with these two All-Stars in the fold, Houston can start piling on the wins, and maybe, just maybe, convince Harden to stay home, in Houston, where he belongs.

Sacramento and Houston have some eerily similar ties. The Rockets’ Ben McLemore was drafted by the Kings, but he never found his niche in Sacramento before finding a home in Houston. DeMarcus Cousins was also drafted by the Kings, where he averaged over 20 points and 10 boards for six and-a-half seasons, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier big men. Sacramento’s GM, Monte Morris, worked for the Rockets the previous 13 years, and the King’s best player De’Aaron Fox, is from the Houston area. Not that any of this matters, but expect Fox to have an efficient and stellar game returning to his hometown, and look for Cousins to have a strong debut for the Rockets, as players love battling their former teams.

Tonight’s home opener is the first of two games in a row at home vs. Sacramento at this early stage in the season. With Houston dropping their first two games, and the Dallas Mavericks set to come to town after the Kings leave, the Rockets need to win tonight to gain some confidence. Especially considering they have nearly a full-roster, and a clean bill of health. There’s no excuses for losing tonight. Starting tonight, and for the foreseeable future (until something that requires a change happens), will be Wall, Harden, House, Tucker, and Christian Wood. It will be interesting to see how Cousins, a starter for the majority of his career, takes to coming off the bench. It sounds like he won’t have any problems with this situation. Sure, Houston hasn’t played together, this group in particular hasn’t played together much at all. But the Rockets are too talented, with three former All-Stars on their team, to get beat by a Kings team with zero All-Stars. If Houston follows Ja’Sean Tate and P.J. Tucker’s lead, and play with that level of ferocious energy and intensity, the Rockets should win tonight. But who knows what to expect with this new Rockets group. One thing for sure is, it’s good to be back in Houston… there’s no place like home.

 

Toyota Center:  Houston, Texas

 

Jersey Colors:

Sacramento Kings (3-1):  Black

Houston Rockets (0-2):  Blue “City Edition”

 

TV:  6 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Denver Demolition:  Nuggets Blast Rockets, 124-111, as Houston Closes Rocky Road Trip

House Problems.    Secret Shuffler.     Dangerous Allegory.

They keep coming. No, not the losses. Those, too, as Houston dropped their second straight to start the season. But the trade rumors. Despite Harden looking spectacular with his new teammates, rumors continue to swirl, the latest from Golden State, the last jersey I’d ever think I’d see Harden wear. This is something Houston’s gonna have to deal with the entire season. Until Harden says verbally, he’s committed to staying in Houston, the narrative dictates this is his last dance as a Rocket. Something just doesn’t feel right. Harden’s playing too well, gelling too easily with Christian Wood. It just seems too good to be true. Getting blown out in Denver tells us nothing into the mysterious mind of the Beard.

The loss wasn’t surprising, as they were short-handed once again. The final score lies. This game wasn’t nearly that close. Denver controlled the entire contest after going on a 14-0 run after the Rockets saw their final lead, 26-22, vanquish in the first quarter. Not terrible, 0-2 in a parity-ridden league at the moment, against two worthy opponents on the road. James Harden was spectacular once again, but didn’t have enough help for Houston to keep it close. The Beard finished with 34 points on efficient shooting once again, along with 8 dimes and 6 boards. Christian Wood had 23, including 14 first quarter points, but was outmuscled by Denver’s Nikola Jokic inside all evening. David Nwaba and Sterling Brown were the only other Rockets scoring in double-figures. Once Jamal Murray caught fire for the Nuggets, all hope flew out the window for Houston. Nikola Jokic was too much for Wood and the Rockets. The Nuggets All-Star Center had another triple-double, finishing with 19 points, an astonishing 18 assists, and 12 rebounds. The Rockets have to hope a return trip home, where they play 6 of their next 7 games in Houston, will bring positive vibes and victories in the standings.

However, there’s House problems in Houston. Danuel House Jr. has been in a funk to start the season, and it seems to be something mental. He just seems to be out of it, and can’t find the rim to save his life. In good news, the Rockets get John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Gordon back for their home opener on Thursday. So expect House to see less court time, and maybe more time to get his head straight. The Rockets next game comes against the Sacramento Kings, a team who’s already beaten this Denver team twice. The Kings are 3-1, and boast a young, improving core on the cusp of breaking into playoff contention. Hopefully, a full-roster will help Houston slow Sacramento’s speedy-start to the season.

Another issue  continues brewing in Houston. Maybe it’s just me. But, Daryl Morey was officially fined by the NBA for “tampering” a few days ago, after he tweeted a one-year anniversary commemorating the day Harden passed Calvin Murphy on the NBA’s list of career assist leaders. There’s no secret, Morey and Harden are very close. It was Morey who brought Harden to Houston, and gave him the keys to the mansion he has now: the luxury of superstardom. Morey let Harden do whatever he pleased and caved at his every plea. Don’t be surprised if the Beard does get traded, it’s to the Sixers, where his former GM sits, right now, plotting ways to get Harden. it’s only a matter of time. Christian Wood isn’t the player Philly’s Joel Embiid is, but he’s another big. And if Wood is a way of seeing how Harden can fare with a true lengthy center, then this is pure torture. The Rockets would likely get a package with the “prized” piece being the overrated Ben Simmons. Hopefully, none of this comes to fruition, but I’ve followed Morey, aka “Shufflin’ D” and Harden for a decade. There’s too many signals, hidden allegories, and strange signs that shows something doesn’t add up. Something’s on the horizon. All those three point shooters Morey got in Philly, those are merely test-shooters for the Beard. Morey and Harden, two innovators of the game. This is their story. Rockets fans are just the victims. I hope I’m wrong. Regardless, those rumors… they’ll keep coming.

Rockets Head to the Mountains, Battle Nuggets in Another Tough Test

Higher Challenge.    Hunger Games.    Run It Back.

“A little hope is effective, a lot of hope is dangerous,” Donald Sutherland says in The Hunger Games. After entering the season with little hope, and despite losing a heartbreaker on opening night, Houston has more hope for the rest of the season. Lacking three main rotation players (Wall, Cousin, and Gordon), the Rockets still fought valiantly, and would have won, if it wasn’t for C.J. McCollum, who couldn’t seem to miss. The hope lies in the debuts of new-Rockets Christian Wood and Ja’Sean Tate. Wood looked like an All-Star, scoring 31 points, and grabbing 13 boards in the opener. And in his NBA debut, Ja’Sean Tate brought a Patrick Beverly-level of energy to the squad that’s been lacking, well, since Beverly left. Tate also showed signs of stellar defense, and keen court awareness. Look for the rookie to be a starter for Houston soon.

Regardless of a sense of newfound hope this team may have found in their opener, tonight’s matchup in the Rockies is going to be a higher challenge. Both teams are starving for a win. Denver is 0-2, and considered by many to be one of the top three teams in the West. No doubt in mind Nuggets Head Coach Mike Malone will have his team hungry for a win, as Denver wants to avoid starting the season 0-3. The Rockets are also looking for their first win, and it will be tough in Denver’s altitude against the Nuggets, a slightly better team than the Blazers, who Houston faced in their opener. Malone knows Harden’s potency on the court. Denver’s coach once described trying to guard Harden akin to “watching a horror movie.” Every Rocket needs to step up tonight, as the Beard will be swarmed on defense.

Nevertheless, Houston the Rockets don’t want to drop their first two games. The more they lose, they harder it will be to convince James Harden to stay in Houston. The Rockets need to gut-out a tough victory tonight. If they play with the same energy, and the Beard puts on another show, Houston has a chance to steal a victory in Denver. Christian Wood will need help guarding Nikola Jokic, one of the best centers in the league. And hopefully Ja’Sean Tate and the Rockets rotating defenders can help slow Jamal Murray. Denver has health on their side tonight, and they’e had an extra day off. The Rockets will certainly show more signs of exhaustion, especially considering they don’t usually play in the altitude. However, the opener displayed how quickly doubts can be swayed. And no one thought Houston had a chance entering their first game in Portland, and they outplayed the Blazers for the majority of the match, and had it not been for McCollum having one of the games of his life, the Rockets would be 1-0 right now. So, ignore the 0-1 record. This Houston team is for real. The hope is real, that when they’re at full-strength, they can be superior amongst the elite, and convince Harden to stay. But for now, the Rockets are short-handed. And that means even more looks for the Beard. Which brings a lot of hope. And if Harden’s dazzling performance in the opener carries over tonight, the Nuggets are going to find themselves in a very precarious situation. Coach Malone already knows. He probably has the popcorn nearby, because tonight he’ll be watching that same horror movie, over and over. Don’t expect the altitude to slow the Beard down. The opener in Portland was just a warm-up. Tonight, Harden gets to show real promise of what’s in store for the future of this season. So, despite being short-handed and facing the altitude, Houston should still have plenty of hope Houston they can take down the Nuggets. Expect Harden to start his second game of this season with another statement. Nuggets fans… it’s about to get dangerous in Denver.

 

Ball Arena:  Denver, Colorado

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (0-1):  Black

Denver Nuggets (0-2):  White

 

TV:  8 PM CT  –  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Houston Heartbreak:  Rockets Get Burned in OT, Fall to Blazers in 128-126 OT Thriller

Historical Headache.    Wood You Take This Dance?    The Waiting Game.

 

“I don’t surprise myself at all. I know what I’m capable of,” James Harden said after Houston fell in their opener to Portland, 128-126 in an overtime thriller that had all the makings of a classic. If you’re surprised Harden, despite basically coming straight off vacation, with no training camp, had a historical game, you don’t know the Beard. It’s obvious no matter what off-court drama is occurring, Harden’s loves to hoop too much to have anything affect his performance on the court. He’s too fierce a competitor to just mail it in for the season. Harden’s not gonna sit out games, like other superstars who’ve demanded trades in the past, but didn’t get their wishes granted. Harden showed exactly why he’s worth all the trouble and all the headaches, why the front office lets him get away with everything short of bloody murder off the court. He is that good. His last two threes were insane and.. this situation is truly a historical one. The Rockets still have the same James Harden, the best offensive player in the world, on the court, and while he may continue to act up and demand to be traded, hopefully Houston can play well enough to convince him to stay in town. I can’t understand why after a sensational debut pairing with Wood, Harden really thinks he has a better chance winning elsewhere. Houston didn’t even have John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Gordon, and they almost beat a probable playoff team in the West. It’s a headache, because if James was any other player, you’d trade him. But Harden is truly a generational talent. And unless you’re getting an MVP-caliber player in return, it’s worth the trouble and headache of playing the waiting game. Keep Harden and let him leave after this season, or even the next. He’s too talented to not optimize his value. After joining a bunch of guys he’d never played with before, for a team he didn’t want to play for, after being called fat and lazy by the media coming into the season, the Beard still became the first player in NBA history to recored at least 40 points and 15 assists in his first game of a season.

Harden had 44 points, and a career-high 17 assists, and nearly gave Houston one of its most impressive franchise victories in history. But, as the game went into OT, and C.J. McCollum continued to make shot after shot, the Rockets were too gassed, and came up short on the final possession, losing by two after turning the ball over to end the game. C.J. matched Harden toe-to-toe on the soaring board, notching 44, leading the Blazers to the win. A miscommunication error between Harden and P.J. Tucker ended Houston’s victory chances. Teammates who are more than familiar with each other’s style of play usually don’t have missteps like the one they encountered to end the game. But in the end, it was evident the squad just came up short on energy, having only 9 players, while basically using a thin seven-man rotation. Sure this loss was heartbreaking, but it displayed eons of positive signs for this Rockets team to come in the future.

Christian Wood dazzled in his debut, setting a franchise record for points by a Rockets center in their debut. Wood had 31 points, and grabbed 13 boards, as he and Harden gelled like peanut butter and jelly in their first game as teammates. Wood looks poised to make a run at the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award, and if he keeps putting up numbers like he did in Portland, possibly an All-Star nod could possibly be in the works. But, given the depth of talent out West, Wood’s likely a few years away from All-Star status. Speaking of depth, Ja’Sean Tate was sensational in his debut, bringing an infectious, tenacious energy this Rockets team sorely lacked in seasons’ past. Not only his energy, but Tate’s defense and court vision were stellar. Look for him to steal the starting small forward position later in the season. Tate plays so hard, like a version of Patrick Beverley mixed with P.J. Tucker. And that alone will get him into the starting unit. Other than Wood, Tate was most impressive, notably because no one really knew what to expect from Tate. But if you watched the game, it’s evident this wasn’t just a hyped-up Ja’Sean Tate for his NBA debut. This man plays like this every night, and it’s going to be a pleasure getting to watch someone instill some energy every night into a Houston team with plenty of distractions. David Nwaba also looked exceptional in his debut. A solid help defender, with the ability to knock down the long range bomb, Nwaba should play a key part of the rotation this season. P.J. Tucker’s shot was off, but he grabbed 13 boards. He’s become a liability on offense. Look for Tucker to eventually slide into a bench role. Danuel House Jr. struggled in the season opener. Other newcomers Sterling Brown and Brodric Thomas showed potential. But Wood was the story. Other than Harden being completely unaffected on the court by his off-season antics, Christian Wood showed why he was the steal of the off-season. 31 points and 13 rebounds is more than impressive in a season debut. Hopefully the big fella keeps it up, and improves as the season moves forward.

In his first game as an NBA Head Coach, Stephen Silas already looks better suited for this job than Mike D’Antoni would have been. There was a key play late in the third quarter, where Harden was subbed back into the game for the final offensive possession, the kind of attention-to-detail D’Antoni lacked in his laissez-faire approach to his “we just didn’t make shots” excuse. Silas made all the right moves, and will Stone made the right hire for top coach. Expect Silas to even get Coach of the Year consideration. He’s a players’ coach. And along with many of Houston’s young core, Silas is brand new to the squad. But this marriage feels like it was meant to be. A match made in heaven. Don’t be surprised if this group exceeds expectations. After all, when you still have James Harden… who knows what this group is capable of.

Rockets Open Season with Showdown in Portland,  Facing Blazing Adversity

Opening Night (Remix).    A New Reality.    Knocking on Wood.

“Fasten your seatbelts. It’s going to be a bumpy night,” a quote from the classic film All About Eve. And at the Moda Center in Portland tonight, this evening’s all about James. After their first game on Wednesday was postponed, the Houston Rockets finally get their season under way on Saturday night. And buckle up, this one could get bumpy for the Rockets. Houston takes on Rocket-killer Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers in this Opening Night Remix. The Blazers lost their opener to Utah by 20 points. Expect Dame and C.J. McCollum to be hungry to avoid an 0-2 start. After not being able to suit up the minimum (8) players required to play in a game, the Rockets barely made it, coasting into Portland with 9 available players tonight. Houston is devastatingly short-handed, with a James Harden who’s head’s not quite right leading the way. Joining Harden in the starting lineup tonight will be David Nwaba, Danuel House Jr., P.J. Tucker, and Christian Wood. John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Eric Gordon, and Mason Jones are all being quarantined for 7 days, and will miss at least tonight’s matchup and Monday night’s game in Denver.

It’s a new reality for the NBA. Playing outside a bubble. The Rockets were the first team to fall victim, but they won’t be the last. Expect a plethora of games to feature players out due to the virus. It’s inevitable. But, like the MLB and NFL, can the NBA fight through without a bubble guiding every player’s single move? The NBA is the smartest and most forward-thinking of all the American professional sports leagues. Commissioner Adam Silver has done a tremendous job, from his execution of the bubble, to his navigating these entire set of unprecedented circumstances. The NBA’s in good hands, but there still might lie bumps on the road ahead.

As for tonight’s season opener, the Rockets will pray to the heavens James Harden cares about basketball and winning, specifically tonight’s matchup. Because if Houston is going to counter the Blazers’ firepower backcourt of Lillard and McCollum, they’re going to need Harden to go for at least 35. Otherwise, don’t expect the Rockets to survive this blaze of torture. Houston, down three of their main rotational players, is heavily outmanned in this matchup. Hopefully, little-known Christian Wood can make an impact like he did in his lone pre-season game, and team up with Harden to lead the Rockets to a W. Someone’s gonna have to step up. Besides Harden. That’s if the Beard decides to show up at all. Welcome to the return of Houston Rockets basketball. A story, where their best player, holds their very fate in his very carefree hands. The Rockets have had battles throughout the Harden-era in there Mode Center. Most notably, that shot Lillard hit to end Houston’s season in 2016. Their won’t be the usual buzz and noise from one of the NBA’s loudest arenas, but expect the Blazers to have no desire to fall to 0-2. Hopefully, James Harden wants to prove he’s still the best offensive player in the world, whether to attract his trade suitors, or because he loves to hoop. Regardless, Houston needs a retro Unguardable Tour performance from the Beard. In his first game as the NBA’s new modern Dennis Rodman. Leading a group of youngsters, most of whom haven’t seen much NBA action in their careers. Against a veteran playoff team poised to make the leap from pretenders to serious contenders this season. And so, the Rockets have themselves a mountain to climb if they want to escape Portland alive tonight. Fasten your seatbelts… it’s going to be a bumpy night.

Moda Center:  Portland, Oregon

 

Jersey Colors:

Houston Rockets (0-0):  Black

Portland Trail Blazers (0-1):  Red

 

TV:  9 PM CT  –  NBA TV,  AT&T Sportsnet SW

Hardened Hostages with Savage Tricks:  Houston Rockets 2020/2021 Season Preview

A New Era Begins.    Redemption Season.    Doctoring the Elephant. 

“It’s what it is,” a repetitive quote from Martin Scorcese’s mob epic, The Irishman, one that signifies a kind of certainty, no matter the conditions. As the Rockets prepare to begin arguably the strangest season in franchise history, Houston finds itself in uncertain conditions. Things feel different. The Rockets aren’t riding with the current, they’re fighting against it. There’s no more Daryl Morey, Houston’s GM since 2007, and no more Mike D’Antoni, Head Coach since 2016. Russell Westbrook demanded a trade, and was shipped to Washington D.C. for John Wall, a slight downgrade, but still an All-Star caliber point guard when healthy. New GM Rafael Stone snagged the pick of the off-season, grabbing Christian Wood, poised for a breakout season, in free agency. Stone also picked up a rejuvenated DeMarcus Cousins, who, along with Wall, have shown signs of their former selves in the pre-season. Long gone are the days of small ball in H-Town. The end of 2020 introduces a new style of Rockets basketball to the world, one with a giant elephant in the room. The biggest ongoing topic hitting the news feeds in the NBA is Houston’s superstar’s desire to be traded elsewhere, and the story will continue to make headlines until Harden is dealt, something which can’t help but be an unfortunate distraction for the rest of the squad. It really didn’t feel like the Beard was going to leave until Brodie got his trade demand granted. One can only think James Harden thinks he deserves that, if not, even more power. Hence, he figures he deserves a trade to show he can make waves in the NBA due to his status. But Harden doesn’t know what he wants. His “preferred trade destinations list” grows each day. It’s what it is.

The face of the franchise since he arrived to H-Town in 2012, James Harden, is now the NBA’s biggest diva, partying at strip clubs, flying wherever he pleases, as he continues to hold the Rockets hostage. The Beard is demanding a trade out of Houston. Which is unfortunate, consider the Rockets have the best roster around Harden since he arrived in town. And now, after 8 years, all of sudden, he wants out? Yep. The problem is, Houston can’t find a deal with anything close to the value Harden’s worth. And the Beard’s malicious behavior is only pushing himself away from his own suitors. It’s sad that James doesn’t realize, if he actually wants to win, the best position is right here in Houston. A little over two years ago, the Rockets seemed on the cusp of an NBA title. Now, they’re a franchise held hostage in the spotlight by one of the league’s biggest stars, who wants anything but to play in Houston anymore. Luckily for the Rockets, they have the Beard under contract for two more seasons. Harden can complain all he wants, but Houston doesn’t have to comply to any demands. The NBA is a players’ league. Superstars have a lot of power, but the Rockets have leverage here. Unless Harden starts really behaving like a miscreant, Houston should be able to hold ship, until a relevant, acceptable deal comes to the table.

As for the rest of the Rockets, P.J. Tucker, Eric Gordon, Danuel House Jr., Ben McLemore, and Chris Clemons return, along with Harden (for now), from last year’s squad. I have an eerie feeling, Tucker, unhappy, and rightfully so, due to not being given a contract extension, is going wherever James goes. Tucker is Harden’s closest teammate, and has been since he arrived in Houston in 2017. The two are frequently seen entering the arena together, and have strong chemistry and rapport on the court. To lose Harden is one thing, but Tucker as well, that really stings. P.J.’s now 35, and won’t have many years left in the league. It would be nice to see him finish his career in Houston, but that looks uncertain at the moment. Tucker has more than earned an extension with the Rockets. It’s ridiculous the team won’t give him an extension. I guarantee Tucker’s unhappiness is one of many factors persuading Harden’s choice to demand a trade elsewhere. For now, the Rockets will have to find a way to use Harden, and the power he wields, as best they can. He may be destructive in the locker-room, but the Beard loves to hoop. It’s hard imagining Harden being less than impressive, at least on offense, this season. Expect the Beard to look apathetic on defense, something Houston will hope to change as the season moves on. This year, instead of the usual 82-game regular season, each team will play 72 times. Which means each game is more important. And there won’t be fans at most arenas, but no bubble exists. We’ve already seen repercussions from that, as the Rockets’ season opener on Wednesday was postponed, due to Houston not being able to suit up the minimum requirement of eight players. The Rockets experienced a small outbreak of Covid-19, stemming from a barber at rookie K.J. Martin’s residence. Chris Clemons, unfortunately suffered a torn-ACL in the pre-season, and will miss the entire year, only leaving the Rockets with a thinner roster.

It’s hard to tell, at this moment, what changes the virus will have on the NBA this season, and how many more games are postponed. Houston’s opener likely won’t be the only game that encounters these circumstances this season. It’s something every team has to deal with, but with a player behaving like a modern-day “Worm” (aka Dennis Rodman), Harden only puts the Rockets in more jeopardy. It’s clear he hasn’t cared to listen to the NBA’s protocols for this season. Is it part of his ploy to get shipped out of H-Town? We’ll find out once the season starts. One would think John Wall and Harden would form one of the league’s best backcourts. And along with a revitalized DeMarcus Cousins, and a budding player on the cusp of being a star, Christian Wood, this Rockets team has potential to do serious damage. Even without Harden on the court, should he choose not to play, or when that day comes, Houston has enough to win without the Beard. After being one of the older teams the past few years, the Rockets have a nice mix of youth and veterans on the roster. Former Kentucky Wildcats, number one picks, and All-Stars John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, when healthy, are enough to push Houston into the playoffs. In a perfect world, the Rockets play well enough to convince Harden to stay. But who knows what the Beard wants. It seems as if, he’s mentally checked out. The regular season will be telling, especially early. It shouldn’t take long to find out if Harden is going to ride ship with the squad, or if Houston will have a nutcase on their hands all season. If the Beard becomes a distraction, one that impacts their performance as a team on the court, he needs to be traded as soon as possible. Can Harden and Houston kiss and make-up? Or will the Rockets continue to be held hostage by one of the league’s biggest superstars? We’ll find out soon enough. New Head Coach Stephen Silas has said all the right things, but he’s got a lot to manage on his plate as he prepares to begin his first season as an NBA Head Coach. The long-time NBA-assistant coach, is well-versed in the game, and seems to get along and empower his players to listen. If only Harden would buy in. But at this point, he seems to have made up his decision… it’s what it is.

Upside Down:  Houston Rockets 2020 Off-Season Review

Fall of Insanity.    Cleaning House Up Top.    Changing of the Guard.

“Hope is a mistake. If you can’t fix what’s broken, you’ll go insane.” A line from the epic film Mad Max: Fury Road. One that infilitrates the mind when pondering the insanity that’s been the Houston Rockets 2020 furious road of an off-season. In the most transformative break in franchise history, owner Tilman Fertitta, slowly burning the franchise into the ground, implemented huge changes into the future of the squad. The top of management has been turned upside down, producing ripple effects into the playing squad. General Manager Daryl Morey was fired. Not a surprise, that was inevitable since his Hong Kong tweet in October 2019. Head Coach Mike D’Antoni wasn’t fired, but left on his own accord. And so, the Rockets two most important pieces that aren’t players are gone. Rookies now occupy the most crucial non-playing positions in the franchise. Raphael Stone is now Houston’s GM, with the Rockets giving the Head Coaching nod to Stephen Silas. And while the team has yet to play a game, with all the chaos these two new additions have had to deal with since replacing Morey and D’Antoni, they’ve done as good a job as one could ask for, keeping a sloppy, shaky, bullet-ridden Aston Martin on its last legs, still driving, but not in great shape. It’s not their fault this Rocket-ride could be on its last legs. They simply came into the most chaotic situation an NBA franchise has faced in an off-season since I can remember. First came the departure of D’Antoni, then Morey… But it wasn’t until Houston’s superstars wanted out, that this ship began looking more likely to sink than swim this season.

First, it was reported that superstars Russell Westbrook, and James Harden, the face of the franchise since he arrived in 2012, were on board with new hire Stephen Silas as Head Coach. Then reports came about their frustrations on the outlook of the team’s future. Then, the trade demands. Russell Westbrook demanded a trade first. And made it clear, according to inside sources, he was not going to be a positive presence if his demands weren’t met. Apparently Westbrook, aka “Brodie” wasn’t happy with his role throughout much of the season, and the pairing of him and Harden wasn’t as easy as fans imagined it could be. Hence, Brodie was traded to the Washington Wizards for John Wall, another All-Star point guard, although a downgrade from the durable Westbrook. Wall missed the entire previous season due to injuries, but has shown promise of his former-self in the pre-season. Still, a Westbrook-for-Wall swap is a loss for the Rockets. No offense to Wall, but Brodie is the better player. And Houston lost out on one of the league’s unique players, in Westbrook. And as now’s evident, not a lot of superstars get along with James Harden. First it was reported the Beard preferred to play with Wall over Westbrook, and play surfaced of off-season pickup games involving the pair during the fall break. Now, Harden is the NBA’s biggest diva, and he’s got an entire franchise hostage. Despite Houston getting Wall, Harden still wants out of town. What the Beard doesn’t realize, is Wall might be one of the few superstars left willing to play with a player like Harden, who’s usage rate is amongst the highest in the league. First it was Chris Paul, then Russell Westbrook, the frustrating thing is, James hasn’t even given Wall a chance. With the right mindset, they could turn out to be the NBA’s best backcourt. Hopefully they get along as well as possible this season, and Harden isn’t too much of a distraction for a Houston roster with plenty of potential.

So… the Beard wants out, but Harden’s under-contract for two more seasons. The Rockets have no obligation to trade the Beard. No matter now many strip clubs he attends. No matter how many times he’s late. No matter how many teams (it’s increased from two to six) Harden adds to his preferred trade destination list. Houston can wait for as long as possible to get the best deals possible for a former-MVP, and still one of the top ten players in the world. They’ll never get equal value on a deal for the Beard, but the Rockets can be patient, and make the right move. Instead of playing into Harden’s tricks, and giving what he wants. Offers have been on the table, but the Rockets would be throwing away potentially saving the franchise if they settle too early. It’s a shame too, because Stone’s done an incredible job since being promoted to GM. And Silas has said all the right things and looks like the perfect guy to being given the keys to save this car from driving off the edge. The problem is Harden. Houston snagged the steal of the off-season, getting Christian Wood, who scored 23 points in his lone pre-season game, and looks like the perfect-fit, alongside a player of Harden’s style. Add in a rejuvenated and healthy John Wall and DeMarcus Cousins, and these Rockets have the best roster in the Harden-era. But he wants out. James thinks he can win somewhere else. The problem he doesn’t realize is, all his antics and Dennis Rodman-like behavior is only driving suitors away from trading for his services. Harden’s best bet is to play his rear off this season, and see how it goes. If he buys in, the Rockets are certainly a playoff team. That may not change Harden’s demands, but right now, Houston doesn’t have any other options. Maybe the right deal will come along. The Rockets are still engaging in talks with many teams, but a deal for a player of Harden’s caliber is tricky to pull off. Stone and Houston need to be patient, the right deal will come along, or, hope, in a dreamer’s world, Harden gets his act together, and the Rockets are better than ever. But that’s highly unlikely. The Beard is only acting more like a prima-donna with each passing day.

The face, or Beard, of the franchise, since 2012, Harden gutted it out in Houston as superstars moved from city to city. It looked like the Beard was poised to be a Rocket for life, but that idea seems more like a dream at this moment. Be grateful for each day Harden’s a Rocket. Sure, he’s acting like an immature 12-year old at the moment, but the Beard’s accomplished a lot since arriving in Houston in 2012. The Rockets are the only team to make the playoffs every season since 2012. While not winning the ultimate chip, Harden’s consistently had the Rockets among the top of the West’s cutthroat elite for years, and their 2018 team was the closest to knocking off Kevin Durant’s Warriors dynasty. The Beard is the reason Houston has been relevant in the NBA for the past decade. But now, he wants out. The Rockets can hope to change his mind if they get off to a great start, and Harden realizes his best chance to win is actually right here, in Houston. The squad can hope Wall and Cousins stay healthy. Both former number one picks and All-Stars have looked re-energized in the pre-season. Christian Wood looked like the second-coming of Kevin Durant meets Kristaps Porzingis, and has realistic potential to win the Sixth Man of the Year Award, or even get All-Star potential if Wood really reaches his ceiling. These are all hopeful ideals Houston can pray for, but the reality is, the clock’s ticking on Harden. The Rockets have to trade the Beard. I hate to admit it, as much as I hope they can hold onto Harden, and somehow convince him to stay in Houston. He’s gone. His body might be in H-Town, but his mind is elsewhere. And it’s probably for the best Harden leaves town. Unless the regular season produces unexpected positive changes in the Beard’s behavior, it’s only a matter of when, not if, Harden is traded. Houston will know soon enough into the regular season, if they don’t know already, if Harden is going to buy-in and try and win games, or just lazily jog up-and-down the court. Is James going to exhibit his power as a star who can do whatever he wants, and play hard when he wants, and make sure it’s seen on full display? Can the Rockets tolerate the Beard’s nonchalant approach to the game for an an entire year? We’re about to find out. I’d say have hope Harden stays. But hope lies elsewhere amongst this Houston roster. Just not with their superstar anymore. Don’t go looking. You might go insane.