James Harden Says Chandler Parsons Was A Role Player, Parsons Responds

I’m sure at some point in time, the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets were rivals. Looks like that rivalry will have a renewed vigor this season with the addition of former Rockets forward Chandler Parsons to the Mavs. Parsons was a favorite of Dwight Howard but recently Dwight said the Rockets aren’t hurting with the loss of Parsons and point guard Jeremy Lin.

Add James Harden to the list along with Dwight who believes the Rockets won’t skip a beat this season because, the team still has its two cornerstones, he and Dwight.

Harden said he’s looking forward to playing for the US at the World Cup. Training camp begins Monday. As for the Rockets’ future, Harden said he’s not worried that Jeremy Lin has left for the Los Angeles Lakers and Chandler Parsons for the Dallas Mavericks.“Dwight (Howard) and I are the cornerstones of the Rockets,” said Harden. “The rest of the guys are role players or pieces that complete our team. We’ve lost some pieces and added some pieces. I think we’ll be fine next season.”

Parsons of course wasn’t pleased with those statements and responded:

“That’s a pretty ridiculous statement, if he meant that,” Parsons said in the interview with Jay Mohr. “That’s one of the reasons why I wanted to go to Dallas. I’m ready for the next step. I’m ready for a bigger role and I’m ready for more leadership. If anyone should understand that, it should be James because he was in the same situation in Oklahoma City. Then he got his chance to come to Houston and shine.”

You can’t change what’s happened, and if Harden and Howard are anything like me, they’re going to bet on self. Nothing wrong with what was said because it’s the truth. It’s a team game, but the superstars are the centerpiece.