[FONT="]The rumors that James Harden and Russell Westbrook want the Houston Rockets to trade them appear to be over their desire to win now. With a new GM and head coach, it could feel like they’re starting all over again, and that’s not what they signed up for.[/FONT]
[FONT="]That narrative makes sense, but it may not be the real reason. According to a new report, Harden, Westbrook and others are revolting against Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s political leanings.[/FONT]
[h=2]Players upset over owner’s Trump support[/h][FONT="]On “The Odd Couple” podcast with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker, NBA reporter and radio host Ric Bucher said that Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s support of Donald Trump has led to a “revolt” among players. That’s reportedly why Harden and Westbrook have both requested trades, and apparently a number of other Rockets players are also deeply unhappy. “I immediately thought this was Daryl Morey leaving, and Mike D’Antoni leaving, and Russell Westbrook and James Harden going ‘no offense to Stephen Silas or Rafael Stone, but we don’t want a starter kit, we’re playing for a championship.' No matter how much you regard Stephen Silas or Stone, these guys are brand new at the job, and what’s our expectation that they’re going to be able to make the moves necessary for us to leapfrog the Lakers. But what I heard is — and we know how much politics and political position had to do with the boycott and protests during the Bubble — I’m hearing that Tilman Fertitta’s strong Republican support and donations is one of the things that is contributing to this dissatisfaction, and those two [Westbrook and Harden] are not the only ones to want out of Houston. Lesser players are of the same mind. There is a revolt here because they look at Fertitta as a guy who supports the current president.”[/FONT]
[FONT="]That narrative makes sense, but it may not be the real reason. According to a new report, Harden, Westbrook and others are revolting against Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s political leanings.[/FONT]
[h=2]Players upset over owner’s Trump support[/h][FONT="]On “The Odd Couple” podcast with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker, NBA reporter and radio host Ric Bucher said that Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta’s support of Donald Trump has led to a “revolt” among players. That’s reportedly why Harden and Westbrook have both requested trades, and apparently a number of other Rockets players are also deeply unhappy. “I immediately thought this was Daryl Morey leaving, and Mike D’Antoni leaving, and Russell Westbrook and James Harden going ‘no offense to Stephen Silas or Rafael Stone, but we don’t want a starter kit, we’re playing for a championship.' No matter how much you regard Stephen Silas or Stone, these guys are brand new at the job, and what’s our expectation that they’re going to be able to make the moves necessary for us to leapfrog the Lakers. But what I heard is — and we know how much politics and political position had to do with the boycott and protests during the Bubble — I’m hearing that Tilman Fertitta’s strong Republican support and donations is one of the things that is contributing to this dissatisfaction, and those two [Westbrook and Harden] are not the only ones to want out of Houston. Lesser players are of the same mind. There is a revolt here because they look at Fertitta as a guy who supports the current president.”[/FONT]
