BREAKUPS ARE NEVER EASY
Here’s why a James Harden trade could be poison to the NBA, Rockets
Nov 17, 2020, 12:51 pm
It's not about the money this time. Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Let's say the Houston Rockets cave to James Harden's demand and trade him to the Brooklyn Nets. That will be one hell of a Big Three – Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and The Beard – in New York City's most populous borough (yes, bigger than Manhattan).
Great for Brooklyn, sure. The Nets would be the overwhelming pick to win the NBA's Eastern Conference. Just like the Miami Heat won four consecutive Eastern Conference titles with their Big Three – LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. Like Golden State won three NBA titles with their Big Three – Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.
Like the Los Angeles Lakers won everything this year with their Big Three – LeBron James, Anthony Davis and anybody else who happened to be on the floor.
Super teams are good for the city where they play. But a bad deal for everybody and everywhere else.
The NBA thrives on superstars and super teams. When TNT and ESPN put together their TV schedules, they're not thinking, "We've got to get more Sacramento games on this year."
The Rockets are in utter chaos, a new coach, new general manager and both its stars want out. The Rockets reportedly are OK starting the season with Harden and Westbrook aboard. It's never a good idea to keep someone in a relationship when they want to be with someone else. Eventually you'll find a "Dear Tilman" note on the kitchen table.
The NFL used to have a goal, on any given Sunday. That's not the NBA, more now than ever, with super teams forming in major markets, or a warm climate with lots of nightlife along South Beach.
There are 30 teams in the NBA, so let's turn back the clock 30 years and count forward. Over the past three decades, two-thirds of NBA teams have not won the NBA title.
That means there are adults, with jobs and families, who own homes and pay taxes … who have never experienced a championship parade in their hometown in their lifetime.
Let's count 'em up: Orlando, Indiana, New York, Charlotte, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Charlotte-New Orleans, Utah, Seattle-OKC, Minnesota, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Baltimore-Washington, Phoenix, Portland, Denver, Los Angeles (Clippers), Vancouver-Memphis and Sacramento.
The Vancouver Grizzlies were created in 1995 and moved to Memphis in 2001. The present-day Charlotte Hornets were created in 2004. Neither team has won an NBA title.
The NBA, as we know it, started play in 1946. Some of those cities, like Charlotte, Denver, Sacramento and Atlanta have never even made an NBA Finals.
Harden may never bring a title to Houston. But he is the team's most popular player. He makes the All-NBA team. He wins scoring titles. He gets the biggest cheers at Toyota Center when they announce the starting lineup. Most important, he sells tickets. The Rockets need Harden more than Harden needs the Rockets. The Beard reportedly turned down $50 million a year to stay. You don't need Dr. Phil to tell you that one-way relationships never work out.
If the Rockets trade Harden to Brooklyn, and Westbrook to anywhere they'll take the $130 million left on his contract, don't expect much in return. The Rockets probably will receive a couple of role players and draft picks. Fun fact (OK, maybe not fun): not a single player on the Rockets' current 18-man roster was drafted by Houston. Thanks, Daryl.
Without Harden and Westbrook's star power, the Rockets become just another team – the no-name "other guys" for Shaq, Kenny, Charles and Ernie to explain why they're going to lose. Especially Charles if the Rockets are playing.
How many Indiana Pacers can you name? Sacramento Kings? Orlando Magic?
Next year, Houston Rockets?
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Reynaldo López struck out seven over six scoreless innings, Orlando Arcia homered and the Atlanta Braves won their third straight, 6-2 over the Houston Astros on Tuesday night.
López (2-0) allowed four hits and walked one in his third straight sterling outing to start the season.
“It’s like I’ve always said, for me, the important thing is to focus,” López said through an interpreter. “To have the focus during the outings and then, to be able to locate those pitches.”
He has given up one run in 18 innings for an ERA of 0.50.
“He threw the ball really well against a really good hitting club,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “Another solid one.”
Arcia hit a solo home run to left in the second and a sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Luis Guillorme and backup catcher Chadwick Tromp each hit a two-run double in the ninth to put the Braves ahead 6-0.
“Tromp has done a good job ever since we’ve been bringing him in these situations and filling in,” Snitker said. “I’ve got all the confidence in the world in him back there. ... He’s an aggressive hitter. He’s knocked in some big runs for us in the limited time that he’s played.”
Kyle Tucker homered for the Astros leading off the ninth against Aaron Bummer, and Mauricio Dubón had a two-out RBI single to cut the lead to four. After Bummer walked Chas McCormick to put two on, Raisel Iglesias induced a groundout by Victor Caratini to end it and secure his fourth save.
“They pitched well, and our guys are grinding out at-bats,” Houston manager Joe Espada said. “Even in the ninth inning there, we’re grinding, fighting until the end.”
Hunter Brown (0-3) yielded two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and three walks in six innings. Brown allowed nine runs in two-thirds of an inning in his previous start, last Thursday against Kansas City.
Brown said he executed better Tuesday than he had in his previous two starts.
“He mixed all his pitches well,” Espada said. “The breaking ball was effective. He threw some cutters in on the hands to some of those lefties. He mixed his pitches really well. That was a really strong performance.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: 2B Ozzie Albies was placed on the 10-day injured list with a broken right big toe. IF David Fletcher had his contract selected from Triple-A Gwinnett to take Albies’ place on the roster.
Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (right shoulder inflammation) threw a side session Tuesday, but Houston will wait until Wednesday to see how Verlander feels before deciding whether he will make his first start this weekend against the Nationals, Espada said. ... RHP Luis Garcia (right elbow surgery) threw around 20-25 pitches off the bullpen mound, and RHP José Urquidy (right forearm strain) also threw off the mound, Espada said. ... LHP Framber Valdez (left elbow soreness) played catch off flat ground.
UP NEXT
Atlanta LHP Max Fried (1-0, 8.74 ERA) starts Wednesday in the series finale opposite RHP J.P. France (0-2, 8.22).