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The Houston Rockets have become a very dysfunctional franchise in the last few weeks leading up to the 2020-21 season. Many of the issues have arisen around James Harden’s unhappiness with the franchise that led him to demand a trade. The situation has already seen Russell Westbrook leave after one season. Another report has emerged that may have provided clarity on what Westbrook wanted.
The Rockets’ star couple on the backcourt quickly fell apart
RELATED: Stephen Jackson Calls Out James Harden For His Pre-Season Antics, Rockets Trade Request
When the Rockets acquired Russell Westbrook last offseason, the hope was that bringing in another former MVP to the league would be the missing piece.
Beyond adding another bona fide star, Westbrook maintains a long friendship with James Harden that dates back to his childhood. The two played for the same Challengers Boys & Girls Club in South Central LA.
Despite the deep-seated connection between the two star guards, things unfolded quickly in Houston. The internal friction became too much to overcome after one season, prompting Westbrook to demand a trade that resulted in a transfer to the Washington Wizards.
As things move into the next season, more details keep emerging. There is now much more clarity on what may have driven Westbrook away.
Russell Westbrook was enraged by James Harden’s behavior
RELATED: James Harden Has Quietly Forced The Houston Rockets’ Hand
Since the Rockets chose to part ways with Russell Westbrook after one season, a lot has come out about the situation.
As expected, there was a lingering tension that saw no resolution, bringing the matter to a breaking point. In an in-depth article by ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Westbrook quickly developed internal problems with the way his old friend operated on and off the court.
The All-Star point guard experienced a remarkable change in culture once he joined the Rockets. The Oklahoma City Thunder strictly operated what is supposedly compared to a “military unit.” Houston took a very different approach, giving Harden a lot of leeway with delays and excuses that didn’t affect Westbrook well.
In the incident described in the article, Harden waited until the last second to run his daily COVID-19 tests before a team-filming session at the Orlando Bubble. The situation bothered Westbrook enough to call then-head coach Mike D’Antoni to start the meeting, to which he replied that they would have to start over once Harden arrived.
There are likely many more cases that caused Westbrook to move for an outing. The situation is another shining example that the Rockets’ woes run pretty deep.
Uncertainty remains in Houston
RELATED: Disgruntled Rockets Star James Harden Adds 2 Intriguing Teams To His List Of Preferred Trade Destinations
Following the departure of Russell Westbrook, the Rockets are picking up the pieces with their position with James Harden.
Reports are already emerging that Harden doesn’t think John Wall is enough to keep him in Houston. The 31-year-old has quickly made his feeling about the situation known through his recent behavior that he wants a trade.
The Rockets are in no rush to close a deal in Harden’s desired time frame, which will likely see things drag on for the next season. The organization has already publicly expressed that it wants to move forward with the former league MVP who remains in the fold. The franchise can work behind the scenes to find the appropriate trade that doesn’t put them in a rut.
Houston has become a fixture in the playoffs since Harden’s arrival, but the inability to get past the Western Conference Finals has brought the situation to a breaking point. The whole thing is up to the Rockets to find a resolution that works best for both sides.
