The reason why Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook hated playing with James Harden

The Houston Rockets are being exposed right now. They implemented a lax culture centered around what James Harden wants, even letting him have the final say on every staff member’s hiring or firing.

Obviously, every superstar in the league will get some special treatment of all sorts, but the Rockets haven’t won an NBA championship under Harden’s watch and now, after all they gave him, he’s poised to leave.

That’s why ESPN reached out to several current and former staff members to know exactly how is Harden’s command over the franchise, with one even stating that they’re just like ‘an organized AAU team‘ because of James’ constant delays and antics.

James Harden Controls The Houston Rockets, Says Staff Member

“We knew who the boss of the organization was. That’s just part of what the deal was when you go to Houston. The players, coaches, GM, owner all know. I don’t blame James. I blame the organization. It’s not his fault. He did what they allowed him to do,” a former staff member told ESPN.

“If they have multiple days off, everybody knows: James is going to fly somewhere else and party. But he’s going to come back and have a 50-point triple-double, so they’re OK with it,” another one added.

That’s cool, I mean, if he gets the job done, then he’s entitled to doing whatever he wants when he’s off the clock. Then again, he must at least stay in shape and not show up in the condition he did to training camp.

Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook Wanted To Leave James Harden

Moreover, the Rockets have given everything Harden has asked and needed to finally win a ring. However, it seems like it never works and yet they refuse to hold him accountable, which is one of the reasons why Chris Paul reportedly didn’t want to stay in Houston:

“One of Paul’s biggest beefs, sources said, was that Harden basically opted not to participate in the Rockets’ offense when the ball wasn’t in his hands, sometimes barely stepping over half court while spectating when Paul had the ball,” the report read.

As for Russell Westbrook, once again Houston’s lax culture backfired, as he reportedly felt like there wasn’t a true leadership on the team and he was uncomfortable due to his relentless work ethic:

“Houston’s casual culture appalled Westbrook. In Oklahoma City, despite the fact that he enjoyed the same sort of superstar privileges as Harden has had in Houston, the Thunder operated with the discipline of a military unit under Westbrook’s watch. The Rockets were a stark contrast, especially last season under D’Antoni, who was never known as a disciplinarian and who was a lame duck in the last year of his contract after extension negotiations infamously fizzled twice over the summer,” the story concluded.

At the end of the day, Harden has earned the right to try and be in control of his destiny and join the team he wants, but the Rockets should finally show him who’s calling the shots and stop caving in to the demands of a player that hasn’t even taken them to the NBA Finals.