Appearing on the Run Your Race podcast (YouTube link), Clippers point guard John Wall revisited his tenure with the Rockets, suggesting that the team went into tanking mode after trading James Harden during Wall’s first year in Houston. According to Wall, the culture during his stint with the club was so lax that he had to tell his young teammates not to get accustomed to how little was expected of them.
“I always talked to Jalen Green, Kevin Porter, K.J. (Kenyon Martin Jr.), I’m like, ‘Don’t get adjusted to this losing s–t, this is not how the league is,'” Wall said. “But at the same time, I had to tell them, like, ‘This s–t y’all are getting away with over here, if you go to any other team, you’d be out of the f—ing league. You wouldn’t play.’ I’m trying to explain that to them because they think it’s sweet. But I’m like, ‘If you ever get traded and go somewhere else, you going to be like, ‘This motherf—er was right.””
Wall also reiterated his disappointment with how his second year in Houston played out, when he sat out for the entire season. Wall said he would have been fine playing for the rebuilding club and mentoring its young players, but wasn’t comfortable with the team asking him to accept a limited bench role of no more than 10 or 15 minutes per night when he felt as if the Rockets’ prospects were being handed starting jobs instead of earning them.
Here’s more from around the Southwest:
- Kelly Iko and Sam Vecenie of The Athletic rank the Rockets‘ players in terms of value, agreeing that Jalen Green and Jabari Smith are in the top tier and Tari Eason and Alperen Sengun are in the second. However, the two authors disagree on the order within those tiers, as Iko favors Green and Eason while Vecenie prefers Smith and Sengun.
- Jazz rookie Walker Kessler had his best game of the season on Monday against the team that drafted him, racking up 20 points and 21 rebounds in a one-point win over Minnesota. As Tony Jones of The Athletic observes, it was the latest instance of Kessler showing why Utah lobbied to have him included in the Rudy Gobert blockbuster over the summer and why the Timberwolves initially resisted his inclusion after having just drafted the young center.
- Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon has been the second-best player for the top team in the Western Conference so far this season and is building a strong case for an All-Star spot with his two-way play, writes Law Murray of The Athletic. “For us to be the team that wanted to win at a high level, we had to have a much greater buy-in and commitment (on defense). And Aaron definitely fits that bill,” head coach Michael Malone said. “He guards the other team’s best player almost every night. And he never shies away from a challenge. … We wouldn’t be where we’re at at the halfway point without Aaron Gordon’s play, his attitude, and his team-first mentality.”
I agree with John Wall. Things are earned not given. Maybe that’s why we’re playing so badly, complacency because the next guy up isn’t as good as you and you’re a first-rounder. I love the team and only hope for the best!
When you’re expected to lose the culture is gonna lose. Spurs seem to be the only team that is immune to it because they’re gonna be coached the right way win or lose.
Spurs not immune to having a culture of losing. They been garbage ever since Kawhi got hurt like 6yrs ago. Havent won a playoff series since then, haven’t made playoffs in 4 seasons & currently have the 29th best record in a 30team league. It’s alot easier to coach Kawhi & Duncan the “right way” than guys like Poeltl & Keldon Johnson
The chemistry between AGordon & Jokic is pretty incredible to watch. Very similar to what Jokic & Gary Harris had a few yrs ago
Yeah Denver are a fun team to watch for sure. Jokic with another historic 30+ point triple double. Denver on a win streak with ten days at home.
Except for the period between the departure of Mutombo & the arrival of Carmelo, the Nuggets have pretty much always been 1 of the most entertaining teams to watch in the league. I’m guessing the altitude has something to do with that. This is the best team they’ve ever had tho. Perhaps they can get their 1st West title this yr. I’m extremely hype to see a potential NO/Denver series but obv Memphis, LAC & others are gonna stand in their way as well
Wall said to Rockets young players
If you go to any other team, you would be out of the league
It means to me
Rockets young players are simply not good enough
It doesn’t matter, 5 years, 10 years
No.
He said if they do the same stuff that they’re doing in Houston they’d be out of the league. As players they are good enough but the stunts they pull would not be tolerated elsewhere.
The Wall interview was an interesting watch.
I agree he shouldn’t have dropped his staring spot for KPJ just to fuel the tank. That was the start of the issues in Houston, telling him he’ll come off bench, or not even play some games. then asked to mentor, then to not to show up at all. It’s worrying to hear.
I thought the Harden culture was bad but for wall to say the kids are getting away with so much tells me current culture not in a good place at all RN.
I’m wondering how the coach, who’s respected in the league, can handle that atmosphere. Must be very very tough for him.
All those critics sayin’ Russ and first for Wall lol
Russ looks better this season, clips not that much better than the lakers