Some teams just can't stop Harden to to lack of a SG who can play defense. Those teams are: Bucks Warriors Jazz Nets Knicks Sixers Raptors Hornets Mavs Bulls Cavs Wolves Pistons Hawks Suns Magic Wizards Portland is a bad team that consistently beats the Rockets and that's because they have quality defenders to contain Harden as do the Pacers. The value of having a an all-star SG in the NBA is much higher than every other position except for center (and I don't think there are even two of those in the NBA today).
Parsons is an average starting SF. I thought he was something better but it was too optimistic . Looks like he's on his way to a 6 game bad shooting streak to match his 6 game good shooting.