No, but they played more team oriented ball and were more active on defense. They would be even better if Harden is healthy and joins in. DD
Harden saved this team all year and they got a chance to repay that, prove the team could carry him as well. They don’t need a savior with a healthy roster. Adding a talent like Harden to a TEAM like the one playing last night is a cheat code. Hopefully they all feel like the mega-deferment to Harden is no longer needed to win. Best player on the “best” team and savior in one season is ultra-locked MVP but it might also win the chip. The prospect is exciting.
On a real note I think players feel more involved and step up mentally knowing Harden is out. We defiantly have no chance without Harden but I think Harden could look at this game and maybe get his team more involved. Sometimes teammates just defer to much to him.
Harden is a very smart player. He knows what’s going and I don’t think he needed last night to open his eyes and see that getting everyone involved, especially early is key for this team not only offensively but also for the team defense. There was still plenty of times were we absolutely needed harden iso or harden pick and roll. The 2nd quarter collapse is a prime example we’re just slowing it down and letting harden iso for 3 possessions straight. You gotta think that yields at least 3 points or more and the Rockets go into halftime up 10+ instead of 7. It also slows down the warriors offensive momentum. We just looked and played like last years team in both sides last night and harden was on last years team and they won 65 games and he was so good hey won MVP. I think ppl really got comfused with this 30 point streak. Harden had to play this way. We were 11-14 when he turned it on. We went 22-11 with harden balling out with multiple games missed by his 3 best players in and out. Big time wins over great teams in that stretch also.
Team oriented? We average 246 passes per game as a team. Last night. 236 Touches per game vs touches last night Harden 90 Paul - 72.8/102 Gordon - 40.6/51 CC - 61.8/40 Tucker - 37.9/39 Faried - 50.3/46 Rivers - 42.6/31 Green - 25.8/26 Nene - 18.6/29 Paul saw an enormous uptick, more than Harden usually gets. Everything looks about season average though other than very minor up or down for a couple guys . Clints touches were way down, but still returning from injury and again Harden utilizes him best.
I think the better question is, are the warriors worse when Harden doesn't play? The national media will say the warriors chose to lose this game because they don't respect a Rockets team without Harden. Maybe we just sit Harden in a seven game series just so the warriors don't take it seriously and lose?
