And The Main Reason The Houston Rockets Felt The Need To Have A Players-Only Meeting Is......

Uproxx-  While players tried to keep details of the meeting private, two themes emerged, three people told USA TODAY Sports on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the situation. Harden’s play and aloofness have frustrated teammates, and McHale took the brunt of the blame for the team’s play. Practices were not resulting in improved play in games.



​Let me ask you a little question, who is the most widely criticized superstar in the NBA? Need a hint? He's kind of chubby. His wife tastes like 'Honey Nut Cheerios'. His name is better suited for an Italian fella in the 80's. Why yes, of course it's Carmelo Anthony. And what, prey tell, makes Melo the target for such a vast amount of negativity? Well, he usually just gets the  "you can't win a championship with him" treatment, but in reality the answer is more complex than that. He's a lackadaisical defender. He's not a very good, or willing, passer. He's a low percentage, high volume shooter. He's a ball stopper. Basically he's just an inefficient James Harden. So, vis–à–vis, when James Harden isn't making a majority of the bad shots that he takes he's more or less just Carmelo Anthony, and by all accounts Carmelo Anthony isn't the most attractive option to play alongside.

This is the NBA we are talking about. Quality scorers are at a premium. A lot of inefficiencies and unfavorable character traits can get swept under the rug if you are carrying your load on the offensive end. It's when you are not that your potential 'aloofness' can become a problem in the locker room. It's really just as simple as this. If you don't play defense, don't involve you teammates, take a ton of shots, and make most of them then you are an MVP candidate. If you don't play defense, don't involve your teammates, take a ton of shots, and miss most of them then you are selfish dickhead. If Harden goes out later this week and puts up 30+ points on 55% shooting in a win then he's no longer a problem in the locker room, but until that point comes he's just a selfish dick. A selfish dick that probably had a pretty big hand in unintentionally getting his Head Coach fired.