Has McHale been playing Harden way too much this season?

Yet the Spurs and Mavs, and Suns when they were a play-off team used to find ways to still win during the regular season by managing them minutes for star players. Rockets on the other hand be playing their star players all four quarters, because they don't trust the other players on their team like other NBA teams trust their role players.

 

This is a hilarious way to put it, good point.

 

If they can wear out Harden in the regular season, it'll give an opportunity for Lin to take over in the playoffs.

 

McHale doesn't understand the law of diminishing returns.

Sometimes, less is more. Letting Harden rest a couple of minutes here and there then start fresh will actually help him score more points. McHale should try that some time.

 

Sooner or later, Harden will end up like Yao.

 

Oh is Harden playing the most minutes per game? No? Ok then.

It's called being a star.... they generally play a lot of minutes.

 

this is the year to make the playoffs since we don't have a first round pick. play him, he's a warrior.

 

LOLz. This is a joke right?

 

It's not just Harden. Parson's minutes are up there too. McHale played him 45 minutes in the Spurs game!!! He's been averaging the same minutes as Harden in the last 4 games.

 

I don't care about Parson's minutes. I hope we lock up a playoff berth and give Harden 2-3 games of rest (no more than 25 minutes per game) in addition to the short break between regular season and playoffs.

I'm not a fan of sitting guys out completely for long periods of time. They tend to lose their rhythm. I can see it increasing the likelihood of injury as well.

 

No. Harden plays the same minutes as LeBron this year.

 

only guy mchale really trust is harden. i would too, if the guy made me (mchale) look like a good coach

 

Why wouldn't you care about the minutes of your young developing players. If your pushing your players all the time their more likely to get injured. If they play around 30 minutes and get injured then it really can't be helped but if their playing 40+ minutes and their tired they could get hit or land awkwardly when their too tired to protect themselves. Look at Derrick Rose. His ACL tear set him back 2 years and your not even sure he's the same player. Playing 45 of 48 minutes in the whole game is crazy. There's a bench for a reason.

 

Anderson is very capable of playing 5 mins a game - I agree

 

People think Popovich is like the nicest guy when it comes to minutes. Which of course is ludicrous. He only did it because Duncan got hurt and couldn't handle the minutes anymore.

Duncan first 6 years: 39mpg, 39mpg, 39mpg, 39mpg, 41mpg, 39mpg

As for Dirk: 35, 38, 39, 39, 38, 39, 38 from years 2-8

 

The way harden plays, it is easier to get injured. The euro steps put a lot of stress on your knee and especially ACL. There is a reason why guards are more likely to get ACL tear.

 

Rest harden ! I do not want another TMac !

 

Harden deserves play every single minitue.

-Rocket coach

 

McHale is old school, he's not gonna do 10 player rotation. Jame Anderson is out of question. I can see JLin playing SG to rest Harden when Beverley performs well. But in my opinion, Rockets are overplaying Harden to pad stats to make him a superstar.Reason?
1. Morey gets praised for his trade
2. Team gets more exposure around the league
3. Attracts other big names to come to Houston
That is why I think you see a lot of ISOs for him. They are making Harden the focus, no other player can take Harden's shine. Of course, Harden is a great player, but playing him over 40 min is just wrong. Team should not have to ride on Harden for over 40 mins.

 

You could tell harden was pretty tired during today's game. He settled for alot of 3's instead of driving it in. He needs a couple of minutes off here and there cuz that knees not gonna be able to handle it in the playoffs the way he's playing now.