Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Houston Rockets

Report: Russell Westbrook ‘didn’t tolerate’ special treatment Rockets gave James Harden

James Harden Houston Rockets

During his one season with the Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook reportedly was not a fan of the special treatment the team gave James Harden.

ESPN’s Tim MacMahon explained that the Rockets allowed preferential treatment for Harden.

“Multiple Rockets officials acknowledge that the entire organization has been ‘complicit’ in the culture that has been created over the past eight years,” MacMahon wrote.

One coach admitted the staff’s role in the issue.

“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.”

Westbrook became frustrated when Harden would constantly show up late to team events.

“Westbrook didn’t tolerate tardiness,” MacMahon wrote. “With the Rockets, scheduled departure times were treated as mere suggestions by Harden and others.

 

“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!’ [Mike] D’Antoni explained that they’d just have to start over when Harden arrived, which didn’t do much to calm Westbrook.”

Now, Westbrook is with the Washington Wizards after he was traded for John Wall this offseason.

Harden’s behavior certainly has become an issue. Only time will tell if the only solution for Houston is to ship him away via trade.

Houston was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs last season.

Trending

Cleveland Browns

There seems to be a market forming for Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers, as several teams, including the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore...

NFL

Deion Sanders has taken the college football world by storm this season in his first year as head coach at the University of Colorado...

Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks have won just one playoff series in the past two seasons after winning the 2021 NBA title. At least one Western...

Golden State Warriors

Andre Iguodala has seen it all during his 19-season NBA career, and the veteran said the trend of players using their cell phones at...