Chandler Parsons really thinks a lot of himself. If there is one key to the success of the Houston Rockets, Parsons really believes he is it. When the franchise landed the biggest free agent this summer, Dwight Howard, Parsons says that he was the reason he signed.
"I think I had a big impact," Parsons said while attending USA Basketball's mini-camp. "The first thing he said at the press conference was that, 'You guys should thank Chandler Parsons because he is a big reason I am here.' Obviously, he loves the team, Daryl Morey, coach McHale and all that. But I think I just gave him that comfort that you got one of your boys here who is also a key part to the team, a young guy. And we can grow on this for a long time," Parsons said.
Parsons and Howard have known each other for awhile now. Parsons is originally from Orlando where Howard played for many years. He signed with Howard's agent, Dan Fegan, back in May. The two sparked a friendship that has now followed them to the Houston Rockets.
"I spent a lot of time during the summer in L.A.," Parsons said. "We kind of just hit it off. We literally would text every day. He'd call me at 8 p.m. with a question and then he'd call me at midnight with the same question. I respect the way he handled his free agency. He took his time and weighed all his options."
Howard began pursuing Parsons with questions regarding the Houston Rockets the second the Lakers were swept by the San Antonio Spurs in the first round of the playoffs. Parsons referred to the Rockets as a college team that would be playoff bound with him on it.
"I said I was 95 percent sure he was coming," Parsons said. "I was comfortable enough and I could tell the way he was talking to me and how he was excited about things in Houston that I was sure he was going to come."
Parsons has received his fair share of backlash from Lakers fans since Howard signed on. He said he cannot go anywhere without someone mentioning Howard. He is excited for the first time Houston plays Los Angeles, noting it will be a very hostile environment.
