Rockets hold on to Kobe stories

CHICAGO — With the memory of Kobe Bryant accompanying everything that surrounded the AllStar weekend and especially Sunday’s game with a revised format in his honor, Rockets guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook remained hesitant to say much about their relationships with the Lakers legend. But Harden did reveal that he and Bryant had discussed business opportunities together.

“Even now, I’m 11 years in, so, I kind of start thinking of investments and business plans,” Harden said. “We had some investments together. We had a couple business plans together we were actually working on. He was like a big brother to me. Off the court, business savvy, that’s a side nobody really knows about our communication.

“I have so many (memories) it’s crazy. You can look at any interview, any time somebody asked me who my idol is, who I grew up watching and idolizing, it’s Kobe. I have so many memories. That’s a tough situation I really don’t want to get into. But yeah, there’s a lot of memories.”

Bryant in 2011 told Rockets center Tyson Chandler that Harden would be the league’s next superstar. Bryant and Harden had spoken often through the years, and especially before the 2016-17 season when the Rockets and Harden were looking to bounce back from a 41-41 record.

“I have a good relationship with Kobe,” Harden said during that season. “I always talk with him. I pick his brain. He’s been through tough times in his career as well. He knows adversity. He knows how to bounce back. That was one aspect of what we talked about.”

That February, Bryant said he saw the difference in Harden, citing his drive to excel.

“It’s pure determination to understand this is of the utmost importance,” Bryant said. “For an athlete, it’s a life-or-death-type mentality to where nothing else matters. Second place doesn’t matter. Third place doesn’t matter. Conference championships don’t matter. That’s the aggression he’s playing with. That’s the determination I see.”

Westbrook also considered Bryant to be a mentor but said he would not discuss his feelings during the All-Star weekend.

“As it pertains to Kobe, his family and the tragedy, there’s a lot of things that I like to keep to myself, keep between myself and him,” Westbrook said. “Out of respect for his family, I’m going to keep that to myself.”

Harden aims to cut distractions

When asked how he has grown over the years, Rockets guard James Harden said he is “just more aware, knowing what I want and I don’t want.”

Those desires are largely about winning, achieving greatness and eliminating “distractions” to that.

“Basketball-wise, obviously, I want a championship,” Harden said. “I want to be one of the greats to ever play the game of basketball. So, whether it’s changing the game and things that I don’t tolerate, things that are distractions, things that I can eliminate, things that can get me to where I want to go. It’s a lot of everything.”

Harden said he also has learned to ignore critics, coming to appreciate them.

“That means you’re doing something right,” Harden said. “If you don’t have haters, you don’t have people not wanting you to succeed, then you’re just not doing what you’re supposed to be doing. It’s a part of it. It’s a part of when you’re on the top and when you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing.”

Paul says Tucker needs extension

Thunder All-Star Chris Paul initially had little to say Saturday about his two seasons in Houston, but he did talk about long-time friend P.J. Tucker’s contributions and then advocated for Tucker to receive a contract extension.

Tucker has one season left on his contract with the Rockets last week agreeing to guarantee the final year.

“I think the person that I probably learned the most from was P.J., P.J. Tucker, who was like my brother, man,” Paul said. “He’s so selfless, gives himself up night in and night out. P.J. is like the unsung hero of the NBA, you know what I mean? He’s not going to be on the stat sheet with all this different type stuff.

“… He needs an extension. That’s all the man want. The man play every night and can’t get an extension.”

Tucker will be eligible for an extension in July.