NBA Rockets’ Owner Potentially Losing Two Star Players Over Ties, Connection With Trump

By
Natalia Kay
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OPINION | This article contains opinion. This site is licensed to publish this content.

The Houston Rockets could potentially lose Russell Westbrook and James Harden, due to the team owner, Tilman Fertitta’s ties and support for President Trump, according to the Western Journal.

“I immediately thought this was Daryl Morey leaving, and Mike D’Antoni leaving, and Russell Westbrook and James Harden going ‘no offense to Stephen Silas or Rafael Stone, but we don’t want a starter kit, we’re playing for a championship,’” Ric Bucher said.

“No matter how much you regard Stephen Silas or Stone, these guys are brand new at the job, and what’s our expectation that they’re going to be able to make the moves necessary for us to leapfrog the Lakers.”

“But what I heard is — and we know how much politics and political position had to do with the boycott and protests during the Bubble — I’m hearing that Tilman Fertitta’s strong Republican support and donations is one of the things that is contributing to this dissatisfaction, and those two [Westbrook and Harden] are not the only ones to want out of Houston,” Bucher said.

“Lesser players are of the same mind.”

“There is a revolt here because they look at Fertitta as a guy who supports the current president.”

More from the Western Journal:

The New York Post reported Fertitta has long been a GOP donor and that the billionaire is close with Trump.

During an interview on “The Odd Couple” podcast with Chris Broussard and Rob Parker, NBA reporter and insider Ric Bucher claimed that the perennial contender Rockets are on the verge of splitting up, and it has nothing to do with the exits of coach Mike D’Antoni or pro-Hong Kong freedom general manager Daryl Morey.

Per Bucher, there is a “revolt” among the Rockets players due to Fertitta being a Republican.

Bucher then disclosed that he’s heard Westbrook and Harden, who only just began playing together this season after previously reaching the NBA Finals together with Kevin Durant with Oklahoma City in 2012, want off the team because the owner is a Republican.