Isn’t it funny that Mark Cuban and Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey once had an intense rivalry? Cuban actually suggested the Mavericks had a better culture than the Rockets at one point.
Sadly, Morey and the Rockets barely think of the Mavs these days. On Thursday, Houston was busy reasserting itself as a major force in the Western Conference. The dust had barely settled from the shocking news that NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Paul George would join forces with the Clippers, when Morey decided to fire a shot across the bow.
The Rockets sent a couple first-round picks and 33-year-old point guard Chris Paul to Oklahoma City in exchange for Russell Westbrook. It had already been reported by ESPN the Rockets had an interest in the Thunder’s remaining superstar, but it was considered a long shot. Morey told anyone who’d listen that a Tim MacMahon report for ESPN about a rift between Paul and Harden was misguided, but his actions Thursday suggest otherwise.
I understand Harden and Westbrook are both ball-dominant players, but the Rockets will deal with that later. They just moved off an incredibly cumbersome contract with Paul to land a star player still in his prime (who also has a cumbersome contract). In my mind, this has to be viewed as a huge upgrade for the Rockets. It reunites two players that helped lead a young OKC team to the Finals in 2012. Harden won’t be surprised by anything Westbrook does on the court, and that should help with the transition. This trade could pump life into a Rockets team that failed to capitalize in the playoffs when the Warriors lost Kevin Durant.
Paul is a demanding player who had started to grate on the more laid-back Harden, according to reports. Westbrook is no soft touch, but he and Harden have a solid relationship. As Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman mentioned to me recently, Westbrook had actually deferred to Paul George at the end of games last season. He knows Harden is one of the most lethal scorers in NBA history, and he’ll be looking to kick the ball to him after driving into the paint.
I believe some of the recent reports suggesting no one wanted to play with Westbrook were overstated. As he enters his 30s, he’s still one of the 12 to 15 best players in the NBA. The Rockets now have two legitimate superstars to do battle with the new-look Lakers and Clippers. Morey made this move because he couldn’t stand the thought of not contending for a title next season.
I don’t know whether it’s the greatest fit in the world with Harden and Westbrook, but I know it’s better than running back Harden/Paul for another season. The Lakers or the Heat could make a play for Paul, but he’s now a declining player. The Rockets are no longer a declining team. I’m not convinced the Lakers are going to win a title because it’s hard to know how many games LeBron James can play at this point in his career.
The Clippers have a better roster in my estimation, but let’s not act like George was able to propel the Thunder to great heights in the postseason. Westbrook had been lost in the shuffle as the NBA community praised Jerry West and Leonard for their shrewd deal. Now, Westbrook has new life with his old pal Harden. And it was an opportunity for Morey to remind the Beard how valued he is by the franchise.
Meanwhile, I read a headline in my local paper Thursday saying the Mavs’ “window” was closing for free agency. I’m not really sure it was ever opened. What we know is Morey made sure to remind his old rival what an actual “Shark” looks like in NBA waters.
Delon Wright, anyone?
