I agree. It was interesting watching J-Smoove chat with Boozer and Robinson recently. He talked through this game. He said he thinks that the decision to bench Harden in that game was bold of McHale and what was needed, but was what ultimately got him fired. He talked about how there's a huge culture in NBA front offices (also among Morey and Les apparently) that you have to coddle your superstar. However he said then they told Harden and Dwight that they got their back, they don't have to do everything themselves, and told them to take care of business in game 7. Which they did. That LA team was fairly deep and could have rolled over that Rockets roster. They just choked hard.
Dang, why J Smooth gotz to talk crap about Harden being soft and need to be cuddle just to kiss up to his childhood friend, Dwight who is emotionally a 8th grader
Smoove didn't say Harden was soft. He just said he thinks McHale was fired for benching Harden. Smoove was saying how Harden, when they played cards on the plane, was one of the only ones not sulking when Rockets went down 3-1 in the series.
Such a great two games. Just a fantastic crowd in Houston for game 7. It makes such a difference. Both games full of unlikely heroes. Clips had a 3-1 lead in the series and the Rockets win 3 straight to advance. Say what you will about McHale, and he certainly drove me crazy during his tenure, but keeping those players who were on the court for most of the second half to pull off an amazing comeback in game 6 was brilliant. Leaving Harden on the bench for the entire 4th quarter took balls. Thanks, OP. Just thought I'd add that Harden looked a lot lighter back then. He really had added some weight the last couple of years. I'm glad he's lost a lot of it.
That corner 3. The moment it went from a spirited comeback and not sure of the outcome...to holy s***, we’re going to win this thing! Pretty sure everyone in a 10 mile radius of me knew about that shot when it went in
So many heroes! Fingers crossed that our guys can produce excitement like that, and that the ultimate result is (of course!) a different one.
Brewer and J-Smoove never shot the ball that good the rest of their time with the rockets. Its amazing that team went to the WCF because there were some serious brick layers on that squad.
So the primary game plan (Harden) wasnt working this particular game... so the game plan got changed up and other guys were given the opportunity to contribute - and we won. what a novel concept... good thing McHale wasnt an 'offensive genius'... or he prob woulda stuck with what wasnt working... lol
Honestly disappointed we didn't give the Warriors more heat. Couldn't steal a game in Oakland(but came very close) and then that game 3 collapse....
