If harden played defense to the level of what you expect from him, with everything else the same the roster, coaching staff and their performance, how many more wins would the rockets have had?
They would've been 5th and played LAC, and we would've won if we assume Paul/Blake got hurt just like they did against Portland.
so you're saying if one of those replaced harden last year and play with the same dismal coaching staff and roster (to remind you: coach McHale/JB, SG: Brewer/McDaniels, PF: Motie/Jones C: D12) you believe they would have carried the rockets to the 5th seed besting portland, dallas, and memphis in record?
I'd say after Lebron it's fluid. Depending on the supporting cast and how that compliments their weakness.
I cant understand the people who think that Hardn is not a top 5 player. At the basic -- you just cant be a true Houston Rockets Fan!! Of course Harden is one of the very top players of the NBA, just wait and see what happens this season, possibly you might be drawn to the truth! Y
Under MDA's uptempo offense next season, I think it should enhance Harden's scoring even more... so, yes, he's a top 5 player.
Well he falls apart too easily in certain big games. The on the floor last minute too late directing of switching Parsons and Beverly. It was Josh Smith and Corey Brewer along with T.Jones and Terry that led the comeback against the Clippers when Harden was all but done on the bench. Unable to finish fairly easy 4 on 2 fast break situation to win game 2 of the WCF. And then the 13 turnovers in a critical game to end that season. He's not really 5. Don't give the man any breaks. It's all recorded fallacies.
I think it goes.. Lebron # 1 and then a case can be made for the following guys to be in the other 4 slots. KD, Westbrook, AD, Harden, CP3, Curry, Kawhi So to answer the question, I think Harden is def. in the conversation but it's not unreasonable to exclude him either. Outside of those guys, no one else is really in the conversation in my opinion, although I can see KAT getting there soon.
The 5th seed only won 3 more games than the Rockets. So its not a crazy assumption. Playing more defense and having a better relationship with D12 could help make up 3 games.
So a starting Sg of brewer or mcdaniels and motie/jones and being coached by Jb won't be problem? For instance with durant, will be scoring most of the points every night while being the teams best defender every night? How many minutes pg do you think he needs to play? And where will the play making and assists come from? If durant already was struggling with OKC what more with the rockets. Plus you think durant will have a better relationship with Dwight? Lol Same question other 3 players who you think are better than harden. And d12 pouted because he didn't want to play PnR not because of harden.
