no. Lawson is the problem Other players were and are in bad fit situation they haven't fallen that low. Most of scrub backups around the league have been playing better than Ty this year. Including rookies.
Yeah... or it could be that he doesn't work well with a point guard that is a recovering alcoholic that is shooting 38% from the floor, including a horrendous 41% on two point shots. Lawson's EFG% has gone from 56%..to 55%..to 53%.. to 51%... to 47%... to 44%........ The advanced stats show that his game has been steadily falling for the last 3-5 seasons. The Rockets got him very cheap and there were no real alternatives. They hoped he had enough left, he didn't. This has little to do with Harden, even his penetration attempts have fallen by 60% the last 3 seasons.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">JB Bickerstaff's thoughts on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Rockets?src=hash">#Rockets</a> reaching buyout with <a href="https://twitter.com/TyLawson3">@TyLawson3</a> <a href="https://t.co/PuSa9lTv4u">pic.twitter.com/PuSa9lTv4u</a></p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/status/704760594944012288">March 1, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
yup. He's still drinking. I mean if someone want direct evidence of a chemical analysis of Lawsons breath and the content of his glass we never gonna get it, but him in parties and clubs looking wasted at 5 am is enough for most reasonable people.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Trouble for the NBA me and <a href="https://twitter.com/TyLawson3">@TyLawson3</a></p>— Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) <a href="https://twitter.com/patbev21/status/622965526164193280">July 20, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Jimmer Fredette would be a great catch/shoot opposite James. During the Bucks game I saw plenty of wide open looks for Bev at the 3 pt line. Had nothing to do with playmaking/slashing (of course Bev can't really blow by anyone anyway). Just positioning himself in the right place for spacing. Of course Bev bricked every shot I saw. Someone like Fredette would have a field day with those kinds of looks. Would surely spread the D and keep them honest if he's lighting up 3's. We could pick up Jimmer for a bag of peanuts right now We need a catch/shoot guard. If we're going to live/die by the 3. Then get some people in who can shoot them for Pete's sake.
What Harden needs is a playmaking big. Dwight Howard is not that guy anymore on offense. He still a force defensively and sadly, arguably a top 3 center in this day and age due to the dearth of skilled big men in this league, but offensively, he's got nothing outside of that pick and roll and an occasional hook shot when we managed to get the ball into the post quick enough into the clock. Instead of going all in for Durant, I think we should make a play instead for Harford IMO. He is getting a bit old, but he is someone who will bring it every game and step back for the long shots when Harden needs space. Don't even wait on Durant's decision. Just go "Hey big man, we would LOVE to have you pair up with our young superstar James Harden and be that man to carry our team when he goes through those inevitable slumps that all young guards go through. We need your discipline on the team, your leadership as a professional veteran. We NEED you on our team." At the same time, see if we can do a sign and trade for Harrison Barnes as opposed to signing him outright (not sure on the cap numbers if this is possible with offering Harford a max deal).
I was sure Lawson was gonna be awesome for us and put us over the top. Sucks it worked out like this. Harden really is most of the problem guys. Great players learn to integrate other talent. This basically will scare the rockets away from acquiring any talented point guard. If we are gonna build around harden which I'm starting to think is a mistake, then we got to find skilled players that don't need the ball but can create off the ball and break down the defense. Parsons was a perfect 3 for that. Anyways, just another frustrating part of the most embarrassing season ever.
I am sure drinking played a part.... but if you look at his advanced stats, you will see a player that has a game predicated on quickness and speed, penetration to the basket and over the last 4-5 years, he has steadily stopped doing that. His EFG has gone down consistently and his two point shot attempts and effectiveness have equally gone down. Perhaps he can get in great shape and recapture some of the speed he has lost, but what he has done the last handful of years was a culmination of this season.
For the people who blame Harden for Ty's struggles -- why was he equally bad with James on the bench?
Because is a lazy, flamboyant, fat black man. That is really what it all comes down to.... everything is Harden's fault, the fact that he is the second best offensive force in basketball is irrelevant, the fact he is just about the only positive on the Rockets doesn't matter.
Anybody interested in giving Will Cummings a shot? He has shot 39% from three in the D-League. He knows the system.
Completely misused by the Rockets as a result of incompetent coaching, which lead to him losing confidence. Also, Harden's ball dominance/inability to play off the ball didn't help either.
