There’s room for only one faux-hawk on the Houston Rockets. Dwight Howard and James Harden seemed to learn that this summer.
When Howard was traded to the Rockets in 2013, it was seen as an opportunity for Houston to build their offense around two star players that gave them the chance to compete immediately in the Western Conference. The Rockets front office was initially correct, the Rockets went all the way to the Western Conference Finals last year before running into the Golden State Warriors freight train, but that may have been the situation’s peak. According to this NBA.com report, since Damian Lillard‘s infamous buzzer-beating, series-clinching three-pointer in the 2014 playoffs, both Howard and Harden have tried to convince the Rockets that the other had to go.
Howard and Harden have been an oil-and-water mix since they came together for the 2012-13 season. It was only days after Damian Lillard’s 3-point dagger eliminated them in the first round of their first playoff series together when both were sending out messages and maneuvering to get the other one traded.
This report comes just days before tomorrow’s trade deadline, before which many believe Howard will be shipped off to a new team. The Miami Heat have reportedly been involved in serious talks to swap Hassan Whiteside with the Rockets for the once-dominant Howard, but seem to be hesitant to take on Howard’s “character.”
Tomorrow we’ll know for sure whether Houston is sticking with their guy, or granting Harden his reported wish.
