Dwight: "A lot of things were probably swept under the rug because we were winning"

More Harden's team but I agree, Dwight should and is the leader in my books!

 

Its an another version of IT'S ON ME, but with a heart.
Howard started this with me not getting back on defense... a true leader always talks like this.

While in the same time, McHale ...

 

To compare maturity you've got to note which point they are in their life.

Dwight - Money to last a lifetime. National Publicity. NBA Finals Appearence. Winning is the most important thing to him.

Harden - Is living off his first big contract. trying to grow his brand. is happy with just being number 1. eventually he'll get hungry for winning, but not there yet. He'll get to dwights lvl of "maturity" in a few years.

Parsons - Rags to riches. Just got his first contract. Thinks he is better than he probably is. Just worried about getting his touches, money, wanting to become a leader. He will be on harden level before he ever gets to dwights lvl of maturity.

Its all relative. Dwight has more yesterdays than tomorrows. Harden is the opposite and Parsons still has a lot to prove.

 

that's all fine and good, but can they play harder? =)

 

I may be too optimistic, but I expect the Rockets to be a top 5 defense next year. Morey spent the entire offseason getting players who play D and hustle. Dwight's focus in his statements clearly echoing this sentiment of defense. I even think, or perhaps just hope, that Harden in a better environment will also play better D.

 

I like hearing this from the players. I would love hearing as a consistent theme during the season, even when we have a 30-12 record.

 

What bench?

 

He definitely said the right thing, as he's been doing for quite some time. His performance in the playoffs wasn't perfect, but definitely the best among Rockets, and no one even came close.

But on the other hand, most players say right things to the media, including all other Rockets. In this PC world, one inappropriate line gets media attention for weeks, especially when it's from stars.

I am not too excited about good sound bite interviews. Let's wait and see how that's unfolded in the games. In terms of holding players accountable, coach plays a big role, maybe starting from holding himself accountable.

Is the off-season over yet?

 

Spoken like a leader. A leader is accountable for everyones actions and self assesses before pointing the finger at others.

 

What you said like that was pure bull****.

 

I think Jason Terry will play the sixth man role outside that I agree with this rotation and I believe the players on the bench will play way above the popularity rating of their names.

 

I appreciate these comments by the best player on our team. I think in short, he is calling out the players on our roster that don't care about defense.

 

I'm pretty sure he did

 

Great to hear D12 stepping up to the plate and taking on some responsibility.

 

Old NBA custom of having to criticize yourself twice as much as you criticize your teammates, but I think this was really about Harden, probably his defense and shot selection.

 

Man, our bench is atrocious.

 

** Our bench is unknown and may end up panning out as atrocious.

 

Essentially what he's saying is that last year... there was no accountability...



At least McHale's still here...

 

Its not sexy, thats for sure. Im hoping Troy Daniels keeps splashing threes and that Kostas really comes on as a dynamic guy off the bench. I think DMO showed he has potential to play some great basketball off the bench, but defense and foul trouble is his concern. Jeff Adrien is actually a great defensive big but doesn't offer much to the offensive game. I don't like our PG depth at all, but hopefully Canaan won't be too bad.

 

The thing is, when they start winning again, will the amnesia happen all over again?