Like they haven’t lost terrible games with Harden playing. The team is not better without Harden. But they would be better as a team when he played if he moved the ball more and played off ball more.
They play better without Harden but they can't win without Harden playing at an MVP level. This roster just has terrible depth because of salary imbalances. Paying two stars 40mil a year just guarantees you have terrible depth unless you've been drafting well. Unfortunately, Morey sucks at drafting so he trades away all of our 1st round picks like they're nothing.
Define "play better' because this team wont even make the playoffs without Harden lulz You can have your "better playing" team while you collect the Ls. I will take the Ws instead.
Harden iso-ing isn't the problem because that's what he does and he's great at that. Doing it to the extreme that he's been doing it the last 2 years is the problem. Last year was honestly the worst thing that happened to him. His MVP year was the perfect amount of isolating for him.
Disagree, none of Milkhair's or JB's seasons were as much fun or as successful as 2017-2018, just 2 seasons ago. Liked Adelman too but his tenure with team was frustrating as hell. Double or triple that frustration under JVG.
They don’t play better without Harden. Is just that the team goes as Harden goes. If he plays with lack of effort or not engaged the team plays the same or it just affects our defense and with bad turnovers it’s even worse. But he played better the last two games, moving the ball more and not shooting as many threes. Even though he was playing hurt he still help spaces the floor.
Maybe what the OP was trying to say is: If Harden was traded the team as a whole would be better because they would have the return from the high stakes trade and what is here all playing as one vs hero ball. championship probably not, just my opinion. We still have a puncher’s chance with Harden which is better than none at all.
After many games of making denver our btch, we lost when harden wasnt playing.... coincidence? i think not.
I was at the game yesterday, courtside. First and foremost, I've never seen PJ and Austin look so upset in my life. The same goes for Russ. RIP Kobe. Anyway, the Rockets would have won had Harden played. In the 4th when the Rockets were only down by 4 and needed a bucket, Russ got frustrated and tried to take over. First attempt was a bad shot, next attempt was partially Clint having stone hands and not catching a fast pass. James Harden would have been able to space the floor for Russ or get off a better shot on his own. The best part of the game was seeing Russ' potential. I'm actually feeling good about what Russ will bring the Rockets in the playoffs. We haven't had that energy next to Harden since...well...Dwight his first year. Russ has something to prove and I'm certain he will deliver. The team plays better when the 3s are wide open AND because Russ is coming into form. FYI: Mr. House is definitely in MDA's dog house. It's obvious. Mack is close, but because he is tight with Russ and plays well on the fringes, Mike is rocking with him more. Help is coming. Likely nothing major, but Morey knows we need size and one more sharp shooter from the corners. I'd start saying goodbye to a couple guys you had high expectations for, and possibly one that will be Tillman's money dance. The Rockets would have won
Everyone needs to make changes from MDA, Harden, and rest of the players. 1. MDA - another strategy besides hosting up 3s, saw a little bit int he Denver and Minnesota wins (going to rim) 2. James - hustling on defense, staying in front of your man, playing faster, and going to the rim 3. Teammates - hustling on defense, playing with a sense of urgency It's a collective effort required to be successful, hopefully they are learning this right now!
For those that also don't like Westbrooks fit, tonight they get the chance to see the team without him as well, think of all that passing the ball we will get to see ....
