If I were the coach I would get fired within a week for making Harden hating me after having 3hours long only defensive practices. All the better, sit and get paid.
I would have Harden coming off the bench with the second unit. That way he can run "ISO" plays all day long as body movement isn't his forte. The first unit can get into a rhythm with ball movement, body movement, and focus more on defense as a team. It seems this team tries much harder on defense when Harden is on the bench. This approach probably wouldn't sit well with Harden, but I think it would be best for the team. It might push him to give more effort and "man up" to guard his guy 1 on 1 instead of having to switch on defense because he can't stay with him. If/when this happens on a consistent basis, then he goes back into the starting lineup. If his defense doesn't improve and he continues to be a liability on that end, then I think it would be time to cut your losses and see what you can get for him in a trade. Preferably, for a two-way team player.
Well, let's see, I'm not a coach, I'm just osme interweb dumbass, so I don't know why you even care, but anyway, I will humor you: While I am not a coach, i can read, and I see that the Rockets are among the best teams in the league on offense and among the very worst on defense, so instead of instituting a grab bag of random offensive tactics dialed up from the DaDakotamatic Spaghetti-against-the-Wall v5.4.4 I would probably concentrate on defense. Terrence Jones seems to be involved in a lot of the more egregious defensive lineups so I'd probably sit/move him, as much as that presents the unique problem of having to deal with Capela/Smith on offense. Brewer is markedly better than Thornton on defense, most metrics back this up as well as the eye test and just plain old damned common sense - his gambles are well worth it becuase Thornton brings almost nothing on that end. Thornton should be out there to sub in for Harden, if he plays at all. Rockets have ahd a lot of success with smaller-ball + 1 big lineups so I'd probably play that more. You're welcome.
1) I would have told Morey to forget about the big fish (LMA) this past summer and go after accessory parts that compliment Harden and D12 for the final year they are together. 2) Brewer, Lawson and TJ would be gone for bags of chips and cash. 3) Harrell and KJ would be getting valuable experience. Harrell is our version of Draymond Green...couple of years from now. Start the clock.
