We'll revisit this thread in a game 6 when hardens introvert mind goes into overload because he has to make play after play while his teammates are under pressure. Chris will demand the ball, piss in Ryan Anderson's Gatorade and tell him its a cure for color blindness.
CP needs to work on creating shots for himself and driving more to the rim aggresively. But the thing he needs to work on the most is being a spot up shooter. He's never done that before in his life but he needs to change his game to fit into this system.
It was quite interesting hearing what Chuck, Kenny, and Shaq attack had to say about CP3's fit after the game. They were quite adamant that his skill set isn't needed due to Harden dominating the ball so much. This seems to be the opinion that many pundits seem to favor. What they failed to mention or even realize is that dude put up eleven assists with only one turnover while hobbled, in his first game and in a new role. NEWSFLASH!!!! ----- For one, CP3 is 32 years old, an age that modern NBA wisdom indicates shouldn't have a high usage rate. More importantly, CP3 had one of the highest catch and shoot percentages on threes last year, which means he does NOT need to dominate the ball if he doesn't have to. This is especially true that his new team seems to launch threes at every opportunity. The additional benefit of him playing off the ball should in theory allow him to exert less energy on the offensive end so he can exert more of it on defense, which he's elite at in every aspect (individually and team). Moreover, he can still direct the spacing of other players whether he has the ball in his hands or not, which can be a truly innovative and somewhat intangible aspect that he can potentially bring to the team. His leadership alone speaks for itself but the aspect just mentioned would be like having a coach on the floor - generally the rockets run a free wheeling offense, but having CP3 will allow the Rockets to play a little smarter if he's able to see something interesting that only he has a tendency of seeing, and can help the rest of the team adjust accordingly. Further, and arguably most important, is that having both Harden and CP3 gives the Rockets the rare luxury of having an ultra elite play maker in the game at ALL times. This should allow the Rockets attack to keep its foot on the pedal which should lead to lots of blowouts and come from behind victories since no lead from the opposition will be safe (like we witnessed yesterday). For all of these reasons, CP3 can fit in perfectly with Harden and Rockets... it just takes a little thinking outside of the box to truly see how.
**** all of this after a game he scored 2pts and was a non factor? I think it'll work, but media has every right questioning it. SIL
I think the most ironic thing is. Rockets beat the best team in the league with chris Paul who Fyi was part of that comeback run "Chris paul does not fit" so getting 11 assist and winning against a team that they normally can't beat isn't called fitting. It's called a W that's what it's called and obviously worked. Tucker n mbah played a big part but still
I think what most people don't think about is what role CP3s Voice also played in that game. Did some of u notice that no player quit despite being down 17 points? like non... (HA) I'm 100% sure that CP3 played a huuuuuge role in that comeback, not only on the court but also on the sideline and in the locker room at halftime.
I like Steph take on CP3 and the Rockets as a whole. To say he doesn't fit is naive when it's getting you a win. CP3 defiantly is one of the reasons along with mbah and Tucker why we won this game and why we're much improved. He's basically hardens coushen at this point. I can't imagine paul when he's actually healthy and got some games in
He was hardly a NON factor. Just watch the first half of the 4th quarter again and tell me his defense, passing, and overall leadership wasn't a major factor in putting the team in position to take that game. I strongly believe without CP3's effort, Warriors would have won by double digits.
He fits fine. The media just doesn't WANT him to fit, so they can be negative about Houston. The Rockets beat the Warriors in Oracle last night and the narrative this morning is how Chris Paul looked bad. You'd think we got blown out by 30 the way they're talking this morning.
All we ever heard the last couple of seasons was how Harden had to do everything himself, how the offensive fell apart when he sat, or that he needed another creator on the perimeter. But when we address that need head on by acquiring one of the best floor generals in the history of the game, who also happens to be 1st Team All-NBA defender, suddenly it's a bad fit. Give me a break. And yet this same group of idiots seemingly can't wait to suck Westbrook, PG, and Melo's collective ****.
You made my heart warm. Personally, I think you shut these people up with a pile of W's. Don't listen to them, tell them who you are.
CP3 gets 11 assists because teams fear him in the lane (takes 2 to tango—>players have to convert pass) CP3 needs to/will get that floater in the lane down. Teams beware!! CP3 does make the Rockets better, despite media wishes to the contrary.
