Both players are expected to go through individual workouts later in the day, with “NBA protocols” cited as the reason for Harden’s absence.
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In contrast to stated expectations from several days earlier, All-Star guard James Harden was not with the Houston Rockets when group training camp activities began Sunday morning at Toyota Center.
Per head coach Stephen Silas, Harden was away from the team due to “NBA protocols,” presumably referring to COVID-19. Videos have shown Harden partying at indoor events in recent days, and without a mask. The league recently issued a lengthy list of safety protocols, aimed at minimizing potential coronavirus spread within teams this season.
Silas said Harden was expected to go through an individual workout in Houston later in the day. The same was true for veteran forward PJ Tucker, who Silas said was at Toyota Center and expected to go through an individual workout later in the day. However, due to protocols, Tucker did not participate in the initial group workout.
Now 35 years old, reports surfaced during the recent offseason that Tucker was upset with his lack of a contract extension.
Harden IS expected to have an individual workout in Houston tonight, per Silas. https://t.co/Au1Y1NtDMb
As for Harden, he reportedly asked the Rockets to trade him to Brooklyn during the offseason, but the team has yet to grant that request due to the Nets lacking the high-level assets to make a trade worthwhile. Harden is currently under contract for at least two more seasons.
When asked about Harden’s commitment to the Rockets, Silas said:
That’s a question you’re going to have to ask him when he gets here.
Stephen Silas on James Harden's commitment to the Rockets: "That's a question you're going to have to ask him when he gets here."
In his earlier media appearance on Thursday, Silas had said he was confident that Harden would be “all in” and back with the team when group work activities commenced on Sunday.
“I’m confident that he’ll be all in,” Silas said Thursday. “That’s where I’m leaving it. As I’ve said, I’m giving him his space to do his thing, but I’m confident he’ll be here when we get started.”
Silas was asked Thursday whether he had spoken to Harden since the Wall trade, and he indicated that “space” was a priority.
When stuff like this happens with a little indecision and stuff going on, I kind of take a step back and give a little space. … Guys like that need that. They need to figure it out, and they don’t need someone banging on them.
On Sunday, Silas did not have a timetable for when Harden or Tucker would be cleared for group activities. Silas did clarify that he remains excited to coach Harden, whenever he joins his teammates.
“I want him here, and I want him to be a big part of what we’re doing,” said Silas, who added he had not been in communication with Harden in recent days. “I’m excited to coach him.”
Houston’s first 2020-21 preseason game is Friday night at Chicago.
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Stephen Silas has not been in communication with James Harden this week. "I want him here, and I want him to be a big part of what we're doing," Silas said. "I'm excited to coach him." Silas is uncertain when Harden could be cleared to practice. https://t.co/dyrEX2C1KB
The Houston Rockets called out their own efforts, particularly their poor effort in Thursday’s Game 4.
The Houston Rockets needed a desperate rally in the fourth quarter to score the Los Angeles Lakers into action for basically a couple of plays. Ultimately, the Lakers were dominant in Thursday night’s Game 4 and the Rockets star players failed to deliver in a crucial situation and now they face a 3-1 deficit. Only 12 times in the NBA’s history has a team come back to win a series after trailing 3-1.
On Friday, Rockets role player Austin Rivers delivered a scathing critique of the Rockets, in particular their effort. In Rivers’ words, the Lakers already have LeBron James, they will have little hope of extending this series to even a 6th game.
Austin Rivers: "They got LeBron, probably the best player in basketball, by far, and then they got Anthony Davis. You can't play against that team and those guys play harder than you, too. Then you got no shot. If we're going to beat them, we gotta play harder than them."
Even though the Lakers have decided to downsize their lineups more, mostly taking key centers JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard out of the equation, the Lakers have still blasted the Rockets on the glass. Through four games, the Lakers have posted a monstrous offensive rebound rate of 26.1%, according to Basketball-Reference. Anthony Davis (12.8) and LeBron James (10.3) have led the way, each averaging over 10 rebounds per game in the series.
The latest Big 12 Conference headlines in the morning rush. ESPN, USA TODAY Sports and Twitter provide the headlines. UT over OU in FPI?
It is game week as we move closer to opening kickoff on Saturday. With the arrival of football season, there is no shortage of stories surrounding the Big 12 Conference. On Monday’s Big 12 morning rush we look at headlines from ESPN, USA TODAY Sports and Twitter.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis leaked that he would be willing to play more center to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes.
Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis has gotten what he wanted for the majority of the season. He hasn’t had to play center for too many minutes and he’s been apart of the best team in the Western Conference. But the Houston Rockets live to make their opponents uncomfortable and Anthony Davis has already leaked that he’s ready to do what he doesn’t normally do, because the opponent calls for it: play more as the team’s only traditional big man.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reported after Friday’s Game 1 loss that Davis is willing to slide up a position in this series. Now, the data created an interesting contrast with the eye test in Game 1. JaVale McGee had a team-high +5, but Dwight Howard was a -8 in 11 minutes. The Lakers didn’t have much success without their bigs on Friday, but McGee looked very out of place on the floor with Davis, particularly with how far he’s pushed out on the perimeter on both ends.
It will be interesting to see where head coach Frank Vogel goes with his lineup decisions, but adapting to the opponent may be the recipe for the Lakers. At least the main ingredient for that, playing Davis at center, appears to be fresh and ready to go.
The Indiana Pacers will take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday afternoon, tune into the action here.
The Indiana Pacers are looking to improve their seed within the Eastern Conference when they take on the Houston Rockets on Wednesday from the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida.
James Harden is expected to play against the Pacers tonight as him and Westbrook are trading rest days to get ready for the NBA Playoff push coming up next week.
Here is everything you need to know to tune into the game tonight and follow the NBA action the rest of the week!
Prediction: James Harden is in the lineup for tonight and everyone knows he is a game-changer. With Indiana looking to lock up a better seed in the East, they won’t lay down for the impressive Rockets team. Still have to side with the small ball Rockets. Rockets (-6.5)
NBA Remaining schedule
Aug. 12
Indiana Pacers vs. Houston Rockets, 4 p.m.
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Miami Heat vs. Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Aug. 13
Washington Wizards vs. Boston Celtics 12 p.m.
Sacramento Kings vs. Los Angeles Lakers 1:30 p.m.
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Memphis Grizzlies 4 p.m.
Dallas Mavericks vs. Phoenix Suns 4 p.m. (TNT)
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz 6:30 p.m. (TNT)
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Brooklyn Nets 9 p.m. (TNT)
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Orlando Magic 9 p.m.
Aug. 14
Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors 1:30 p.m.
Miami Heat vs. Indiana Pacers 4 p.m. (ESPN)
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Los Angeles Clippers 6:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Houston Rockets 9 p.m. (ESPN)
Schedule or West play-in series
• Aug. 15, No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed (2:30 p.m. on ABC)
• Aug. 16, No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed *if necessary*, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
NBA Odds and Betting Lines
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As a sneakerhead, packing for a trip can be a daunting task. Even if it’s just a simple weekend trip.
There are always so many pairs of shoes to choose from and so little space to store them in. There are also so many moments on the trip to pack for — the car ride, the flight, the airport walk, the beach day, the night at the restaurant. All of that.
Sneakerheads are focused on showing off the heat, so getting it right is important. Or else, that’s a few days of looking at yourself in a mirror and muttering “you can do better” to yourself over and over again.
That’s why it makes total sense that Rockets forward PJ Tucker packed over 60 pairs of shoes for his trip to the NBA’s Orlando bubble. And he’ll reportedly buy more pairs off of eBay while he’s there.
PJ Tucker is packing over 60 pairs of shoes to Orlando 👀
Alright, sure. I get it. On the surface, it seems like a lot. To the normal, non-sneakerhead 60 pairs of shoes probably feels like waaaaay too much.
But here’s the thing. Remember when I said it feels impossible to pack shoes for a simple three day trip? Tucker is going to be at Disney World for THREE MONTHS. Imagine having to pack outfits three months of outfits. It’s hard!
And, honestly? This was probably a struggle for Tucker. He’s got 60 pairs of shoes packed away and that sounds like a lot. But let’s not forget he had to choose them from the thousands he already has.
Listen, man. Let the sneaker king cook. He knows what he’s doing.
Penn State Nittany Lions forward Lamar Stevens was a four-year starter in the NCAA who is a versatile prospect on both offense and defense.
Penn State Nittany Lions forward Lamar Stevens was a four-year starter in the NCAA who is a versatile prospect on both offense and defense.
Stevens was one of the more accomplished frontcourt players in the Big Ten Conference. The 22-year-old college star spoke to HoopsHype about how he has been preparing for the upcoming draft while reflecting on his experience in the NCAA.
Note: This transcription has been minorly edited for clarity.
What were some of your favorite memories and experiences playing in college?
Lamar Stevens: First of all, writing a book was the highlight of my college career. I loved being able to give back to the fans that were so good to me. Winning the NIT was also a highlight. Honestly, all of this season was an amazing experience. We sold out the Bryce Jordan Center which hadn’t been done in 10 years. We have reached rankings that have never been reached. We were breaking all types of records this year.
Writing a book will definitely help you stand out among other players. Could you tell me more about it?
LS: Our director of marketing PJ Mullen and I came up with the idea to write a children’s book. We wanted the book to teach kids about the different places in Pennsylvania. It was really cool. I’ve never done anything like that. To have my name on a book, I never imagined that happening. It definitely was something that was special for me. It was illustrated by six of my friends who have Down syndrome. One of the illustrators was my coach’s daughter. They drew and colored in all of the pictures. We were able to release the book when we played Minnesota and it was a really cool day. The kids that were involved with the book loved it. I loved seeing the joy come out of them from their excitement of having a book released to so many people and for them to be in the spotlight.
Wow. That is a beautiful story. How did you meet the kids?
LS: Being at Penn State, we always got involved with community service. Ever since my freshman year, we worked with the Special Olympics. They have a thing called the “buddy walk” and I developed a good relationship with our associate head coach Keith Urgo, whose daughter helped illustrate the book. Throughout my years at Penn State, I developed a relationship with those kids and the book really helped express those friendships.
I know you got your degree in sociology. But is writing something you have been interested in for a while?
LS: I’ve always enjoyed writing papers. My favorite subject in school was English because of my ability to write. I had never written a book before but I really always enjoyed the process.
You were a four-year starter at Penn State who started every single game that you played in college. How did you improve as a basketball player during your time in the NCAA?
LS: Coming out of high school, I felt like I was physically ready to make an impact on the game mainly in both defense and rebounding. Over time, I continuously got better at scoring, getting to my spots and becoming a more versatile player. Throughout my years, my averages were consistent. I’ve learned so much about the game and what it takes to be a high-level player. My game grew each year in almost every aspect.
Every year of college, you increased your attempts at the three-point line. I think that will be a huge part of the evolution of your game. Where do you see that going at the next level?
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
LS: My last two years, I was the No. 1 option for the team on offense. I always had the ball in my hands and got to take a lot of late shot clock opportunities. During my first few years, I was the second or third scoring option on offense playing alongside Tony Carr. I shot the ball much better during those years. I feel like that will be my role in the NBA. I’ll be able to take easier shots because I won’t have to face double teams. I think being ready and able to shoot the proper shots that are created for me by the other guys, I’ll definitely thrive in that role.
You were recruited as a small forward but you played a lot of the power forward and center in college. What role do you see yourself playing at the next level?
LS: I see myself playing a small forward and power forward role. I’m a guy who can guard all positions. If you put me in as a center in a small-ball lineup, I feel like I could excel as well.
You finished more possessions as the ball-handler in a pick-and-roll than as the roll man. What are some ways you are able to create opportunities playing as the ball-handler in those sets?
Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
LS: Playing at Penn State, I was able to showcase more of my offensive game. I think I can make plays, especially when there are bigger guys on me. I’m too quick, too athletic, and a lot of time, too strong for a bigger man to stay in front of me. If there’s a small guy, I usually bring them into the post. In pick-and-roll situations, usually against a bigger person, head coach Pat Chambers trusted me to make those plays. We had plays designed to have me come off of the pick-and-roll and they were pretty successful.
You have multiple years being the ball-handler in this type of play. How do you think your experience will translate into the NBA, being a bigger guy who can make plays as well?
LS: I’m a guy who can play and make an impact right away. It shows my versatility, it shows that I can play different positions, and it shows that I can do different things on the basketball court. I feel like I’m going to keep getting better.
One part of your game that I enjoy is your ability to draw a lot of contact from defenders. What are some of your strategies for drawing fouls and how do you think it’ll help round out your game?
Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
LS: I’m a physical player. I like to use my strength to my advantage. I like to attack the rim while seeking contact. I look for ways to make and-one plays. I think that physicality is what allows me to play the five at times and helps me guard bigger positional four guys. It’s something I take pride in.
Your style of play reminds me of guys like Juwan Morgan from last season. He modeled his game after NBA players like PJ Tucker. What are some ways that you fit inside the lineage of guys who are about your size who shoot three-pointers but can also play the five while spreading the floor?
LS: With my size and athleticism, it puts me at an opportunity where I can play and guard many different positions. I definitely see myself as players like PJ Tucker and Jae Crowder.
Penn State had a Top-25 defense in the NCAA. What was your role in that mentality and how far do you think your team could have gone in the NCAA tournament?
LS: The practices that we had leading up to the Big Ten Tournament, we couldn’t wait to play. I feel like we were all excited to continue playing with one another. We didn’t want it to end. I think the sky was the limit for our team going into March Madness, especially our abilities on both ends of the floor. I was the voice of the team on defense. I had a lot of experience and knowledge. I understood how important communication is, too. I was always making sure that everyone was talking and on the same page. I wanted us to be a force on defense.
This year ended in a really frustrating way. How were you able to reconcile with the way that the season ended?
LS: The first couple of days I was definitely upset and hurt, but seeing how serious the virus is, us having everything canceled was 100% the right decision. People are dying from the Coronavirus. Not being able to play basketball is big in our world, but small if you think about it as a whole. I try to put life into perspective and I’m grateful for the year that we had. We still had a historic run without playing in the Big-10 Tournament or the NCAA Tournament. I’m still proud of the successes that we had as a team and the opportunity that I had at Penn State.
In terms of your ability to contribute right away, what advantages do you think that gives you over some of the other prospects in your draft class?
Lamar Stevens has a DeMar DeRozan type mid range game. It’s absolutely beautiful. pic.twitter.com/b8IBUUnIKx
LS: For younger players, sometimes they evolve right away but sometimes they don’t. I think with seniors in college, they have a much larger body of work. I think they have more maturity in their game and I can use that to my advantage. It’s hard for younger players to come into the league, in terms of making sure that their bodies are ready for the game. I feel like I won’t have to worry because I’ll be ready by day one.
You came into your college experience playing alongside Josh Reaves. What advice did he give you about his experience transitioning into the NBA?
LS: Josh told me to stay in the best shape possible and to take advantage of every opportunity. Josh made the most out of his situation and that’s the light he tried to shed on me.
How would you describe what your role will consist of in the next NBA?
LS: I will be a guy who can play and guard multiple positions. I’ll be a player with a lot of energy that is a huge communicator on defense and can score. I scored at a high percentage in the Big-10 conference, which I believe is the best league in the country. My main focus will be becoming the best defender that I can possibly be, and hopefully have the chance to guard the best players.
Can you see yourself eventually leading a team in the NBA?
LS: I think for me, becoming a leader at Penn State during my junior year and senior year, I always try to lead by example. During offseason workouts, I’m always trying to lead the sprints and be super competitive in everything that I do. That’s what I’m going to do in the NBA. I’ll be competing on every possession and showing my leadership in those ways. Hopefully, it’ll lead me to become a vocal leader later in my career. But first, I want to come in and do everything I can to put the team in the best possible position to win.
If there were an NBA combine, what drills do you think that you would stand out in?
LS: I would definitely stand out in the vertical and speed tests. I tested last summer and I had a 42-inch vertical. I would also shoot the ball better than most people would expect.
What are some goals that you have for yourself as a professional athlete?
LS: My goal is to be the best player that I can be. I’d love to one day win an NBA championship.
How would you describe yourself as a person to front offices and NBA executives?
LS: Off the court, I’m a very laid back and easy-going guy. I love to spend time with family and friends. I’m a guy who puts his family first and values giving back to the community. That’s who I am. The community has always been good to me, so I’ve always wanted to give back to the community.
How has your character been motivated by your community and family? What are some of the moments that helped mold you into the player that you are today?
LS: My family has never missed any of my games. That’s just who we are. We go out and support one another every step of the way. That’s how I grew up and it became a part of me.
What are other activities that you like to do off the court?
LS: I love being in the house watching movies. Quarantine is not hard at all for me, other than missing basketball.
How have you been keeping busy during quarantine?
LS: I’ve been staying in shape, spending time with family, and catching up on old games and shows that I’ve missed. I’ve been watching Ozark and All American. I just started the second season. I like it but I can’t get into it like everyone else. I know how it is out there and a lot of the situations that he’s been in aren’t really like that.
Is there anything that people may not know about you and would be intrigued to learn?
LS: I used to skateboard. I was very basic and was never good on a ramp.
HoopsHype’s new series gives an inside look at shoe deals, with part two focusing on the negotiations and incentives in sneaker contracts.
This is part two of a four-part series that gives readers a behind-the-scenes look at shoe deals and the sneaker free agency process, with insight from various NBA agents, sneaker executives and industry experts. You can read Part 1 here.
When an NBA executive and an agent are negotiating an NBA contract, they are restricted by the salary cap and they must follow all of the rules outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. When a sneaker-company executive and an agent are negotiating a shoe deal, there are no such restrictions, which allows both sides to be very creative during the talks.
Nowhere is this creativity more evident than in the incentives that are included in shoe deals. When sneaker deals leak, we often hear that the player will earn “up to” a certain amount. That’s because there are a ton of performance-based bonuses included in most deals, so it’s difficult to project exactly how much money the player will actually take home.
There are individual incentives for averaging certain stats, leading the NBA in scoring, playing a certain number of games, winning an end-of-season award (such as MVP), making an All-Star team, All-NBA team or All-Rookie team and so on. There are also team-based bonuses for winning a certain number of games, making the playoffs, advancing in the postseason, making it to the NBA Finals, winning a championship (and playing a certain number of minutes), etc.
According to ESPN’s Nick DePaula, players sometimes earn $300,000 for being selected as an All-Star, $250,000 for winning the dunk contest and $25,000-to-$50,000 for participating in an All-Star Saturday contest. When players are snubbed from the All-Star Game and other honors, part of the reason why they’re often upset is because they are missing out on a lucrative bonus.
There are also reductions that are negotiated into these deals. For example, it’s common for contracts to have a games-played threshold where the player will actually lose money if they don’t play in a certain number of contests (and 60 games is commonly used). Also, one brand does a threshold bonus where a player can earn a $250,000 bonus if their points per game and rebounds per game add up to 26 or higher, according to DePaula. But if their point average and rebound average add up to fewer than 16, there’s a $250,000 reduction.
Shaquille O’Neal (Photo by Lisa Lake/Getty Images for Reebok)
Interestingly, some companies include a small-market reduction as well. Just as brands give players a bonus for being in a large market (such as Los Angeles or New York), they’ll significantly dock their pay if they land in certain small markets. Players are essentially being fined for ending up in a small-market city, even if it’s not the player’s choice.
“I’ve seen some brands include a 20-percent reduction for landing in certain small markets,” DePaula said. “I know for a fact that one brand had Sacramento and Orlando among others on that list of markets.”
“Yes, that’s definitely a clause that exists in contracts,” one shoe-company executive confirmed on the condition of anonymity. “There are bonuses or reductions based on the player’s market. If the player goes to a major market like New York, Los Angeles, Chicago or Miami, the brand is going to get more exposure. They’ll be playing in more nationally televised games and get more media coverage.”
Keep in mind, this is all up for negotiation, so an agent can push back against a small-market reduction if they don’t want it in the contract.
“It’s a give-and-take,” one NBA agent said. “If you’re going to allow a reduction like that to be put in place, what are you getting in return that makes it worth it to include that? The main reduction incentives that you see in sneaker contracts (and all endorsement contracts) are related to injuries. If a guy isn’t playing, there are opportunities for brands to roll back their pay. There are also moral clauses, where the player’s contract could be affected if the player does something of moral turpitude.”
Sneaker companies often prefer giving a player an incentive-laden deal rather than a large guaranteed salary.
“Now, a lot of brands don’t want to pay big base salaries,” said AND1’s head of sports marketing Dexter Gordon. “If you sign a guy to a deal with a big base salary and he has a bad season, you’re locked into paying that base salary and you’re like, ‘Ugh.’ If it’s an incentive-laden deal, it’s safer. If the player does well, they’ll make more money and everyone from the brand is happy too.”
Even if a player signs an incentive-laden deal, they’ll still have a base salary of some sort and that must be negotiated as well. While NBA salaries are available to the public, it’s tougher to find out contract details when it comes to endorsement deals. So, how do agents come up with an asking price and ensure that their client is getting a fair deal?
“You try to find what the market is and while it’s not definitive like it is when you’re negotiating an NBA contract, you hear rumors and dig for information to find out what other players were paid,” said a top NBA agent. “You also have to talk to every company. By having conversations with every company as opposed to just one or two, you get a valuation and understand what the market will bear for that particular client.”
“Larger agencies have a clear-cut advantage when determining market values for players,” former NBA agent Matt Babcock said. “They will naturally have a better grip on the marketplace, as they engage in more negotiations with each shoe company due to representing more clients.”
Sometimes, an agent has to think outside the box when trying to sell a brand on their client.
“If your guy isn’t a star, it’s your job to drum up interest by finding your player’s niche and focusing on that,” one NBA agent said. “Maybe your player is in a market that Nike wants to be in because they don’t have any players on that team. There are also certain guys who fall into a streetwear or cultural-ambassador category, where it’s more about off-court appeal than anything. With those kinds of guys – like PJ Tucker and Nick Young – you approach the negotiations differently. You need to figure out an angle or niche to be able to sell your guy to brands.”
PJ Tucker of the Houston Rockets (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images
In addition to incentives and base salary, agents also negotiate what the player’s product allowance will be, whether they’ll have a signature shoe (and, if so, the royalties associated with that), the company’s charitable support (as some players seek support for their AAU team or camps) and so on. There are other details that need to be ironed out too. Will the player be making any appearances? Will he be in any commercials or activations? Will the player go on an offseason tour to promote the brand (and, if so, will he be going overseas)?
Every agent mentioned that their client’s position and style of play have a significant impact on negotiations and how the player is perceived by the shoe companies. Many big men around the NBA are on merch deals. By now, you’ve probably heard the adage: “Big men can’t sell shoes.”
“I think that’s how a lot of companies think,” AND1’s Gordon said. “When you’re trying to sell to consumers, especially kids, they identify more with guards. Not many kids are going to grow up to be Shaquille O’Neal. But if you have a guy like Stephen Curry or, our guy, Fred VanVleet, a kid can say, ‘Hey, if I work hard, I can become that.’ I mean, Steph Curry looks like a high school kid! (laughs) The consumers we’re targeting can identify more with guards. Also, guards are exciting! A lot of kids don’t see back-to-the-basket bigs as exciting.”
For many years, sneaker companies primarily went after guards. In recent years, unicorns like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kevin Durant have emerged, so now brands target “perimeter players.” However, with Joel Embiid getting his first signature shoe later this year and Zion Williamson just signing the richest rookie deal since LeBron James, could this be the year that big men prove that they can sell shoes and force companies to update their approach?
“Joel Embiid’s signature sneaker is going to be a really interesting case study because there’s no current center that has a signature shoe, so we’ll see how that does,” DePaula added. “What Joel brings is his ability to go viral on social media whenever he wants. I think there’s some validity to the phrase, ‘Big men can’t sell shoes.’ It is fairly true. We’ll see if Joel can break the mold because, historically, it’s been challenging for them.”
Be sure to check back later this week for part three of this series, which looks at what happens during the sneaker-free-agency-process, how brands recruit players and more.
The 14-year veteran discussed the fallout with Houston and his feelings for his old teammates on “Take It There” with Taylor Rooks.
Chris Paul is having a renaissance in Oklahoma City.
The 14-year vet has not only helped lead a young Thunder squad to an all but certain postseason appearance, he’s also revitalized his body and career during his first season in OKC.
His teammate, Dennis Schroder, admitted that it’s a “different vibe” this season with CP3 leading the team, something Paul didn’t really get to do during his two seasons down in Houston.
Although there were multiple reports indicating that Paul didn’t have the best relationship with James Harden or Mike D’Antoni, Paul spoke to Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks in the latest episode of Take It There and insists there is no lingering resentment between him and his former Rockets teammates.
“When I played with the Clippers… I still talk to [DeAndre Jordan] about every day, I talk to JJ Redick all the time, just about all the guys that I’ve played with there,” said Paul as he moved onto the Rockets. “I still talk to Tuck and all these guys. Eric Gordon and these guys.”
Tuck, of course, referring to PJ Tucker, who Paul advocated for during All-Star Weekend. He called Tucker the “unsung hero of the NBA” and said that Tucker deserves a contract extension.
Clearly, the two are still on friendly terms.
As for Paul’s relationship with the Rockets management, the veteran point guard admitted that he “wasn’t happy about how stuff went down”.
“I know it’s a business. You gotta go what you gotta do. But we’re adults, we can communicate. I had just had a conversation with [Morey] just a few days before that and he was like ‘we ain’t gonna trade you to Oklahoma.’ He asked me ‘do you want to go there?’ and I said ‘no, not at this point of my career.’ He said ‘alright, I won’t trade you there because you chose to come to us from L.A. That was that. But now, he don’t owe me nothing.”
Paul may not have wanted to come to Oklahoma City in the beginning, but he told Maria Taylor ahead of the All-Star Game that’s he’s “feeling refreshed” in OKC.
His numbers certainly reflect that.
He’s averaging 17.5 points per game, up from 15.6 a year ago. Although his assists are down, his rebounding and shooting percentage are also up and contributed to his 10th All-Star selection, his first since the 2015-16 season.
PJ Tucker joined in on the social media jokes about him playing more center for the Houston Rockets after the Clint Capela trade.
The Houston Rockets’ trade of Clint Capela leaves a glaring, giant, center-sized hole that’s going to be filled in part by a 6-foot-5 player.
Though the Rockets are reportedly still trying to acquire a new center, do-it-all player PJ Tucker is going to get more time at the five. He’s done it in the past admirably, but Tucker’s journey that started as a pitbull-like small forward has taken him down another strange path.
He and Jordan Bell, acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Capela deal, are expected to get the bulk of the time at center, unless Houston is able to pull off a trade or find a big on the buyout market.
Twitter had jokes about Tucker playing center.
So did Tucker himself.
Tucker posted a picture to Instagram of him standing on the basketball court … in stilts.
Please send your thoughts and prayers over to PJ Tucker.
Ain’t nothing wrong with him, it’s just the Rockets are gonna play him for 55 mpg as a 6’5 center at the age of 34, soon to be 35. pic.twitter.com/WEYh8JdB1U
Tucker now faces the prospect of guarding bigs like Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert in the playoffs, in addition to whatever normal duties he would have on opponents’ best wings.
But after playing overseas for five seasons before carving out a spot for himself in the NBA, Tucker has gone through tougher.
