Rockets owner: We're going to win championships with James Harden

Despite another playoff loss to the Warriors, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta is adamant Houston can win titles with 2017-18 MVP James Harden.

Published : May 11, 2019 14:42 IST

The Houston Rockets may have exited the NBA playoffs at the hands of the Golden State Warriors for the fourth time in five years, but owner Tilman Fertitta insists the team will win titles with James Harden on its roster.

Stephen Curry's 33 points on Friday helped the Warriors to a 118-113 victory in Game 6, which sealed a 4-2 series success for Golden State and sent it through to the Western Conference Finals.

READ| Stephen Curry appreciates LeBron support after downing Rockets

The Warriors, seeking a third straight NBA title, has proved a thorn in Houston's side in recent seasons and Fertitta was quick to praise Steve Kerr's men for once again getting the better of the Rockets.

 

However, he is also adamant that 2017-18 MVP Harden can end a title drought for his franchise that dates back to the 1994-95 season.

"They kicked our a** on our home court," Fertitta told reporters.

"They beat us by 10 points in the fourth quarter. It's unacceptable. We just have to be better.

"I know that we're going to rise to the occasion and our time is going to come. James is 30 years old [in August]. Michael [Jordan] didn't win his first championship until [28]. Hakeem [Olajuwon] didn't win his first championship until [31].

"I can promise you, we're going to win some championships with James Harden, because we are not going to sit here. We will go to battle every year.

"We're going to have a strong offseason, and we're going to do whatever we can to be a better team. We are not going to sit on our hands, I can promise you that."

Houston had lost the first two games of the series but brought it back to 2-2 before losing Game 5 on Wednesday, when it led in the fourth quarter only to be defeated 104-99 at Oracle Arena.

Fertitta felt that was a missed chance but maintains belief that his team will one day avenge all of its playoff losses to the Warriors.

"They showed why they're the champions," he added.

"We're gonna learn from it, and we're gonna come back next year, and we're gonna kick their a** at some point. I can promise you that.

"We should have stepped on their throat the other night and cut their throat. It's not, 'Let's make a few shots and win.' It's step on their throat and let's take it back to Houston and end it in six."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment