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Woj: James Harden preferred John Wall over Russell Westbrook

The Rockets reportedly shipped out Westbrook to bring in Wall on Wednesday night. I smell some revenge in The Beard’s future.

By Benjamin Zweiman Updated
Russell Westbrook of the Houston Rockets and James Harden of the Houston Rockets talk during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers during Round Two, Game Three of the Western Conference Semifinals on September 8, 2020 at the AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images

The Houston Rockets and Washington Wizards reportedly struck a deal to swap point guards, with Russell Westbrook heading to D.C. and John Wall landing in H-Town. We all knew both players wanted out of their respective situations, so after the dust settled, it wasn’t all too surprising. What is more surprising is that superstar James Harden preferred Wall to Westbrook, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Here’s a clip of Woj on The Get Up this morning:

Before I get into more details, ahhhh, can you say ultimate revenge narrative? We’ve seen Westbrook in a few big narrative spots before — his first game against the Thunder after the trade, facing Kevin Durant on the Warriors. Perhaps the most anticipated game to look for when the NBA announces the schedule on Friday is Rockets vs. Wizards. Sure, Wall facing Bradley Beal and Scott Brooks, blah blah. Give me Russ vs. Harden for 48 minutes!

There always seemed to be something off with Harden and Westbrook. The two didn’t look “N’SYNC” at all in the lone season they played together in 2019-20. Both are ball-dominant guards with pretty abrasive personalities. We can only assume Harden preferred Wall over Westbrook for the former Wildcats more laid-back attitude and strip club prowess? Joking aside, Harden preferring damaged goods over a former MVP has got to mean something else was up, right?

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