Dwight Howard and James Harden haven’t exactly endeared themselves to anyone this summer.
When Chandler Parsons left the Rockets for the Mavericks, Howard and Harden took the high road. And by high road, I mean they went somewhere high enough to look down their noses at everyone else.
Howard said Parsons’ departure wouldn’t affect Houston, and Harden said every Rocket besides himself and Howard was a role player.
Even when attempting to clear things up, Harden said he wasn’t referring to Parsons, because is no longer a Houston teammate. He was just referring to all the current Rockets besides himself and Howard.
One of those current Rockets, Donatas Motiejunas, made a salient point about intra-team dynamics. If Houston had matched Parsons’ offer sheet, he would have made about the same salary as Harden. That probably wouldn’t fly with Harden.
See, Howard and Harden seem to view themselves as distinct from the rest of the team.
Motiejunas, via Simonas Baranauskas (hat tip: Brett):
First of all, Howard and Harden are grown men. They can eat where they please.
However, that type of behavior only further divides them from the teammates they rely on to win. Stars can’t do it by themselves, and the successful stars coax the best from their teammates. How many of Howard and Harden’s teammates want to make the extra effort for them?
Also, fast food that often? C’mon.
At one point Howard was eating healthier. Has he slipped back into his bad habits?
Would eating better make Harden less lethargic on defense? He certainly seems to lack energy to play on both ends of the court.
I caution against overreacting to what Motiejunas said, but man, at some point Howard and Harden have to earn the benefit of the doubt.