A controversial figure departs. A promising leader takes on a tough new role. There are problems everywhere, however. There is either open revolt, or, more likely, carefully placed parcels of dissatisfaction, disinformation, swirling mostly around one prominent person, to contend with almost immediately.
Welcome to the first weeks on the job for new Rockets GM Rafael Stone.
Stone seems an affable fellow, judging by his lightly-followed Twitter account ( @rafaelstone12 ). He’s got quite a hard row to hoe, just now, though. The Rockets season didn’t end well, as apparently any season that isn’t an NBA Western Conference Finals can’t really be judged as any sort of success with James Harden on the team.