“We knew who the boss of the organization was”: James Harden and his role in shaping Rockets’ culture

A brief look into how the Rockets formed their ‘culture’ with James Harden at the center of it all over the past 8 years.

The Houston Rockets have been James Harden’s team in the recent past. Ever since he joined the Rockets in 2012, he took over the mantle of the team, not only on the court but off of it as well. Harden was undoubtedly the leader of the team on the court, but off the court, he was given a lot of rights by the ownership.

Harden’s tenure in the Rockets has bridged over two owners and four head coaches, and can be accurately put in 3 words, “Whatever James wants”.

Also Read: James Harden would fly to Vegas on off days’: How preferential treatment by Rockets led to rift with Chris Paul

James Harden had called the shots on a lot of major team decisions for the Rockets. He was responsible for the Rockets trading away Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. Not only the players, Harden was also behind the removal of former Head Coach Kevin McHale.

“We knew who was the boss”: Former coaching staff describes the situation with James Harden

During Chris Paul’s time in Houston, he recalled several cases where Harden refused to participate in the offense when he didn’t have the ball in his hands. Whenever he saw CP3 take the ball up the court, he outright just stood in the other half of the court.

The former coaching staff members and team officials don’t blame Harden entirely for it. They blame the management, who gave Harden the leeway to be this way. “I don’t blame James. I blame the organization. It’s not his fault. He did what they allowed him to do.”

“Whatever James wants” has been the Rockets’ philosophy since James Harden arrived in Houston.

That changed when he wanted to leave. (via @espn_macmahon) https://t.co/ABONlbw3ys pic.twitter.com/JDHfN99KUA

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 16, 2020

Also Read: ‘I was training with my personal trainers’: James Harden gives oblique reply as to why he joined Rockets late

Houston would not be swayed by unhappiness

The Rockets made it clear that they wouldn’t be swayed by James Harden being upset over the fact that he was not traded. At the same time, they would keep a close lookout on the trade market to find a suitable alternative for the Rockets’ star, the addition of whom would not send the team in a rebuild phase lasting several years.