Howard mum on Rockets' chemistry issues

From the outside looking in, the Houston Rockets were never short on talent. What they lacked was any semblance of cohesiveness and chemistry.

But for the Rockets themselves, the answer to what went wrong this season wasn't quite so clear. All Dwight Howard was willing to offer is that things didn't go according to plan.

"It didn’t go the way we wanted to go," a bitterly disappointed Howard said. "We had a lot of ups and downs and I’m sure all of us are going to take some time to reflect on what we can do to better ourselves."

Howard didn't want to speak it into existence, but it's no great secret that he and James Harden didn't quite get along. ESPN's Calvin Watkins reports the chemistry between the two dissolved as the season went on. Howard wanted more of the ball, while Harden didn't trust what Howard would do with it.

That's why reports surfaced regarding the two stars maneuvering to have each other traded. There were definitely issues with cohesiveness in Houston.

It took grizzled veteran Jason Terry to speak with depth and clarity on the Rockets' toxic locker room.

"Our team was just not strong enough mentally to get through those adversities and learn. A lesson for (Harden) as a star of a team, you have to deal with certain issues and still be able to be mentally tough to bring your level of play up with your team and get them to where you want them to go. It happens."