The day after their first game was scheduled to be played, the Houston Rockets are undefeated. At this rate, they might not lose a game.
Because in order to lose a game, you’d have to be allowed to play them.
After an eventful news day of night club specifications and barbershop boys clubs, the Rockets did not have the minimum required players (eight) to play their first game of the 2020-21 season. Reports indicated seven players neither tested positive or had direct exposure to someone who did. None of those players are James Harden, who faces suspension from the NBA after attending an event at a night club on Monday. It’s unclear how long any of the players involved will be out, but it should be noted only James Harden stands to lose money currently. As a part of his punishment for breaking protocols, Harden will lose a game check and 10 percent of his salary for every game missed. For big game James, that comes out to over $500,000 a game. Or, famously, half a honey bun.
This adds to a long list of embarrassing moments for the franchise in the last month. The Houston Rockets can’t seem to stay out of the news cycle for any 24-hour period. Some of that is clickbait “James Harden still wants to be traded!” story lines. Some of that is Houston continuing to stub their toes trying to move forward. All of it is a disgrace.
What Happened?
It needs to be stated, plainly: the contact tracing and suspension of play for some team was inevitable. Several Houston Rockets met at rookie Kenyon Martin Jr.’s apartment for a series of house-call appointments with a barber. Martin had a positive test the next day, so everyone there has to quarantine.
If NBA players hanging out outside of work, with more or less just each other, was going to suspend play, this was bound to happen to someone. It may be the first (though for Oklahoma City it may not feel like it), but it won’t be the last. There’s a comfort level with coworkers, especially when you’re told your workplace is a safe place. These guys share locker rooms, film rooms, and workout facilities. Of course they’re going to think it’s ok to sit around in one of their apartments and get a cut for the season.
The continuation of the James Harden fiasco was not inevitable. It did not have to happen. And while it may happen again, it’s not because it has to.
The embarrassment wasn’t from having so many players quarantined that play was paused. It was from the stories in conjunction. The quarantining and postponement was insult to the injury from the latest Harden slap in the face.
Of course this happened to the Houston Rockets. The same team that had Clint Capela say “we want the Warriors” before they played him off the floor in 2019. The same team that had the China debacle in the fall of 2019. Yes, the same Rockets that has their two all-star guards show up late to Orlando recovering from Covid. And the same Rockets that had a player leave Orlando early because he couldn’t keep to himself.
Are Rockets’ Fans Upset?
Yes, James Harden has been frustrating. After eight years that no one expected when he was traded in 2012, it’s understandable that Harden wants out. Tilman Fertitta purchased the team in the summer of 2017. Since the Chris Paul injury in the 2018 Play-Offs the precipitous downfall continued to tie back to mistakes in that reign. When there are (potentially) 29 life rafts, who doesn’t want off the Titanic? And don’t get us started on that plank of wood…
There’s probably some metaphor about Christian Wood and connecting the dots to the potential of Stephen Silas’ version of this team. But that’s not what this article is. This was supposed to be a place to get to overreact to the Houston Rockets’ success. They lucked into a relatively easy schedule, open with a team in full rebuild mode. Further, they have some of the most useful offensive weapons in the NBA. Silas’ creativity, Wood’s versatility, and John Wall’s comparability all could have made for a very fun opening night of Rockets basketball. And this was going to be the place to run with what all that meant.
So after the actual first game, check back for that reaction. We’ll get into talking about how great Silas is, how awesome John Wall looks, and the reemergence of Boogie Cousins… Until then, enjoy a laugh, enjoy Christmas.
And wear a mask. For the love of God (James Harden), wear a mask.
