The Houston Rockets and James Harden could be headed for divorce. Late last week reports emerged that both he and Russell Westbrook had serious concerns about the franchise’s trajectory, and that immediately led to speculation that each guy could be on the move sooner rather than later.
On Sunday, Adrian Wojnarowski, Zach Lowe and Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN reported that as “Harden considers his uncertain future” with the Rockets, “the Brooklyn Nets are rising to the top of his list as a possible trade destination.” In particular, the “idea of joining Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn is resonating with Harden.”
This week, NBA legend Ray Allen appeared on Sirius XM NBA Radio to offer a word of caution about any potential deal that would land Harden in Brooklyn.
“If you look at Kyrie, if you look at Harden, if this happens, and then Kevin Durant, it’s going to be extremely difficult for them to get along together,” he said.
Dustin Johnson can’t keep his hands off Paulina. https://t.co/ZKIZyk3sd2
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 15, 2020
“Personality-wise they might be great, but on the court it could cause trouble or problems, which ultimately could affect their relationships if they don’t decide they want to win and scoring and having the ball in your hands does not matter to them.
“Because between the three of them, you know, KD did this in Golden State, so he understood a little bit of what the personalities could be like if they go awry, but it’s the most difficult thing that you have to do,” he continued.
Arguably the worst jerseys in sports history. https://t.co/c0y3BDd5Ut
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 15, 2020
“Like winning a championship in ’08 was the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to do, because I’m coming from Seattle where I’m shooting the ball 18, 19 times a game and I’m going to Boston where it’s 8 or 9 times a game, so I can’t take those temperature gauge shots just to feel how I’m doing.
“There’s a responsibility that comes with playing a game now when you on a team and you’re hoping to win a championship. It’s going to take specifically Harden, because now you’ve got Kyrie whose a primarily ball-handler, you know, both of them, to figure out how do we share the responsibilities? How do we operate as a team?
“If they’re willing to do that, it could be amazing what they accomplish. But if not, it could be a train wreck.”
“If you look at Kyrie… Harden if this happens, and then Kevin Durant, it’s going to be extremely difficult”
Hall of Famer Ray Allen tells @TheFrankIsola & @Scalabrine that if James Harden were to end up in Brooklyn he doesn’t think it will work with Kyrie Irving & Kevin Durant pic.twitter.com/c3wVxGX5F8
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) November 16, 2020
Allen’s point is a fair one.
Over the course of three seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Durant averaged a usage rate of 29.1. In two seasons with the Boston Celtics, Irving averaged a usage rate of 30.3. Harden’s usage rate with the Rockets was 36.26. That is a combined 95.66 usage rate.
Dwight Howard kept it very real. https://t.co/aE7f0VaDIA
— Game 7 (@game7__) November 14, 2020
For comparison’s sake: Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce had a combined usage rate of 87.6 prior to coming together, and it fell to 71.6 in their first season together.
Allen’s warnings should be heeded. On paper, slapping together superstars seems like a good idea. But that is precisely what happened in Houston with Harden and Westbrook, and everyone sees how that turned out.
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Charles Kruger has been credentialed to cover two Super Bowls, four NBA Finals, and one World Series. A 20-year veteran in the sports world, he has sources spanning the NBA, MLB, NFL, UFC and NASCAR. Currently residing in Los Angeles, Calif., he is Game 7’s go-to source for rumors surrounding the Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers.
