Tracy McGrady: CP3 wanted more movement out of James Harden. Harden didn't budge.

When did knee-mac become a rockets “insider”?

 

Even given his playoff failures is it really that difficult to believe that a former Rocket all-star has insider information on the Rockets organization?

 

He didn’t leave the organization on good terms, and is almost never in the Toyota Center, and his analysis questions weather he even watches the rockets regularly.

He hasn’t been close to the organization since the Dwight era.

 

Armed with a tv screen, a smart phone, and an HOF pedigree, TMAC unlocks insights hidden to most casuals like us.

 

@cyberx I'm pretty sure this is accurate. Weigh in?

 

But he has been to the Toyota center and the organization respects him enough to give him front row seats ant time he does come to watch a game.

The Mcgrady era Rockets have been a playoff failure. I don't hold much sentimental value for Mcgrady. Given that everyone here knows of my critical views of Harden, even I believe Harden had absolutely wiped the floor in terms of accomplishments compared to Mcgrady.

But what he says here is reasonable and I'm 95% sure CP3 holds these sentiments about Harden having cement bricks on his feet when the ball isn't in his hand.

 

I can definitely see that happening. On the flip side, CP3 didn't really do much to warrant more touches. When he had two chances to close out game 5 or 6 (can't remember which) his drives lead to a turnover and a jump ball with Klay Thompson.

 

he was also just in houston. he left Wednesday to toronto from Bush

 

I don’t care if it’s reasonable, I care if it’s true or not.

If it is true these dudes need to grow up and stop doing all this sneak dissing through the media. It’s childish on cp3’s behalf if true.

 

I really hate comments like this. CP3 isn't what he used to be, but not for lack of trying. Teammates help teammates. They all have one singular goal. I don't care how much CP3 is getting paid; we know his limitations. To ask him to do even more, with no hamstrings, is a fool's errand. If CP3 is asking a more able-bodied, prime Harden, to help him out by moving a little more so the team could be more successful, I see nothing wrong with that.

We could all see CP3 was saving himself hoping he could lean on Harden and EG. CP3 showed up in the elimination game.

The fact that some fans are okay with Harden just doing enough, but not willing to go a level beyond which is attainable by more effort, is so strange to me. I'm not saying it's fair that Harden has to do more, but Harden would get so much freaking praise if he were willing.

 

Let me get this straight, CP3 (our highest paid player) showed up in 1 of 9 playoff games yet somebody else is a bigger issue. There's pacing/saving yourself and then there's being terrible. CP3 wasn't even average before game 6, he was putrid. Had he even been average for the duration of the series the end result may have been different. I agree that we need more ball movement (James needs to do more off ball like last season but Mike is the culprit there) but lets not pretend that CP3 was pulling a LBJ when he was pulling a MCW.

 

Is MDA really the culprit with Harden's cement legs off the ball? Maybe he is in the sense he's spoiled Harden a la what OKC has done to Westbrook by not holding him accountable like... Ever.

How much more amazing Harden would be today if he had a coach like Pop for the majority of his career. I think that's why Kawhi is so good today.

 

Crazy how the offense was fine last year playing the exact same style.

The difference was cp3 was a consistent 20 ppg scorer even with harden playing the exact same way.

This sounds like an excuse from cp3 if true.

 

Like I said: I don't care how much CP3 is getting paid. You're asking dusty CP3 to do things he can't do anymore. Now, when he asks for help from Harden (allegedly) he can't get any help because Harden is doing just enough. CP3 isn't the Rockets best player despite his contract. Clint was also terrible yet the Rockets were still in every single game. You can say that if Harden moves off ball, CP3 isn't trash because now he doesn't have the burden to score.

I thought that's how teams work. You're supposed to pick up the slack where others fall short for one singular purpose. Maybe I'm too idealistic. We're looking at bank accounts now.

 

CP0 being let off the hook for being straight garbage and then finally showing up in game 6

We needed him in game 5, but he was still saving himself going 3-14 and playing like trash?

Harden, EG, and Tuck were pulling their weight while CP0 and Clint were looking disgraceful.

 

This is why I'm getting more and more leery of Harden as the focal point of the Rocket's Offense. One person is not going to beat the Warriors BUT a team will! You can't beat GS playing ISO Ball....EVERYBODY HAS TO BE INVOLVED

 

I'd say it's a little more intricate than the Westbrook situation. Harden's greatness has spoiled Mike. MDA realized that Harden's individual talents are good enough to beat the vast majority of the team during the regular season and many teams in the playoffs. As a result of this realization, Mike got lazy and stopped coaching Harden, thus hurting the team. Harden has shown that he is coachable (too coachable in certain instances......i.e. not shooting midrange shots that he was hitting a pretty good clip when he first got here) but if the coach doesn't coach him then he's going to play school yard ball.

 

CP3 isn't being let off the hook for having no hamstrings and being old. Harden shouldn't be let off the hook for not being willing to do what is necessary.

 

Trade Harden and build team around CP3.

 

I accepted that CP3 is long gone and we are left with Chris Paul. I do, however, expect Chris Paul as our STARTING POINT GUARD to have an assist to turnover ratio of at least 3-1, preferably 4-1. What was Paul's actual assist to turnover ratio? 1.9......1 point FREAKING 9. That one ain't on James, Paul sucked.

 

If CP3 was upset about James lack of movement, this should have and could have been resolved long before the playoffs. This isn't something new.