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| Harden's comments not taken well. Photo Credit:Rocky Widner/ Getty Images |
James Harden is in the Philippines doing charity work and was asked by the media out there on his take of the Rockets future without key players from last year. As we know the Rockets no longer have Jeremy Lin, Chandler Parsons, and Omer Asik all of which were key contributors to a 54-win team last year.
Harden took it upon himself to say: "Dwight and I are the cornerstones of the Rockets," he said. "The rest of the guys are role players or pieces that complete our team."
Harden’s quote made its way back to the USA and caused a bit of an uproar. Of course, there are people out there who agree and disagree with the comment made by Harden one of those people was Chandler Parsons. Parsons was interviewed by John Mohr on his radio show and had this to say about Harden's comment.
"That's a pretty ridiculous statement if he meant that, and that's part of the reason why I wanted to go to Dallas because I'm ready for the next step." Parsons said on air. "I'm ready for the bigger role and I'm ready for more leadership."
Harden is not the only person that believes the Rockets will be fine his other cornerstone Dwight Howard believes so too. When Howard was asked about how the departure of Parsons would affect the team, he said "won't affect us at all." Parsons thought those comments were ridiculous too.
Is Chandler Parsons wrong for having confidence in himself? No, he is not. If he feels, he is entitled to a bigger role than he certainly can be. On the other hand are Harden and Howard wrong for believing that the Rockets will be fine without Parsons? No, they are not. That remains to be seen whether the Rockets will be better off or not but the Houston duo is right to believe they can still contend because that's what you are supposed to think.
Initially, I could see how Harden comments could ruffle a few feathers but his statement is closer to the truth than it is anything else. Harden, and Howard are the leaders of this team. The Rockets will go as far as those two are able to take them. Jeremy Lin actually agreed about the statement.
"Those two are the cornerstones." Lin said. "They have lost other players, and they are going to get other players and they are going to be a good team. I know who James is as a person. I've spoken to him since I've been traded. He didn't mean anything in a derogatory or descending way. I don't think it's a secret him and Dwight are the cornerstones of the Houston Rockets."
It will be interesting to see how the Rockets fair without three contributors from their team last year. Parsons journey to a bigger role will be interesting to keep an eye on as well. The head to head clash between the Rockets and Mavericks will be fun to watch this year.