The Houston Rockets appeared to show signs of life beating the Portland Trail Blazers in overtime. After the firing of head coach Kevin McHale, the Rockets finally managed to win a game. However, while the team still has problems on the court, issues could be growing off the court as well. With player-only meetings take place more than not in Houston, is the issue James Harden?
According to a report from Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt of USA Today, one of the center pieces of the players-only meeting was unhappiness with Harden and his style of play and "aloofness." Harden is reportedly frustrating his teammates and while McHale was forced to carry the brunt of the issues, there are problems reaching outside of the head coach. Rockets fans should know this information came from three people who wanted to remain anonymous due to the "sensitive nation of the situation." However, the report is not overly surprising.
While Harden is an offensive star, his defense has always been the weakness exposed. However, players like Harden cannot be fired. Coach's like McHale can. It is hard to say that Harden was the main reason for McHale getting fire, but neither side appeared to help each other out. However, will the situation change just because the coach does?
It is safe to say that frustration is running high at the moment and many have to wonder if the losing continues, does it factor into the team's offseason? Houston has one important player set to hit free agency as Dwight Howard will have the chance to opt out of his player option and hit the market. With the salary caps increasing in the offseason many assumed Howard would do just that, but now he could look elsewhere other than Houston. The center has remained tight lipped about his offseason intentions, but speculation is fair with the state of the Rockets.
The Rockets did pull things together for an overtime win over Portland where Harden scored 45 points in the game and Corey Brewer hit the 3-pointer to force overtime. It ended a five-game losing streak for Houston as the team finally showed flashes of energy.
"When somebody makes a shot like that, it can wake up everybody," Brewer said, via ESPN.com. "If that shot changes the season around, I'm happy to make it, but now it's time to start winning."
The Rockets opted to shake up the lineup heading into the game against Portland as Ty Lawson was benched in favor of Jason Terry. The veteran had just five points in 29 minutes of play while Lawson managed two points in 20 minutes of play. With Patrick Beverley still injured, this type of play is a huge weakness for the Rockets. The switch was more because Harden and Lawson have not worked well together on the court, but it is clear Terry is not either. Until Beverley can return, that type of play might continue in Houston.