Define his play the 2nd half of the season? He has just been an inefficient chucker for some time niow.
Wouldn't that Still be the Coach's fault? Yes, it's a star driven league, but the best coaches find a way to get it done anyway. And really, I don't think they're a fair comparison. Melo was an acknowledged multiple year All Star. Harden is 23... I don't think their heads are in the same place whether you believe Harden may be on that road or not. Unless you're going to argue that Harden is uncoachable and I don't think we've seen any solid indication of that at all. If McHale can't do what needs to be done to keep the players playing the way he believes they should, then he's the wrong coach for this particular roster. Doesn't get any simpler than that.
I would question whether any coach would be able to get a team this young and inexperienced to play the way he wants.
Overrated? No. Used as effectively as he could be? I don't think so. I think it might just be due to the nature of Harden being the only pure-scorer on the court, and as a result McHale is afraid to design a play for anybody other than Harden. During the middle of a game is different, but in crunch-time I think McHale sort of over-simplifies the offense. The only other pure scorer on the team is Aaron Brooks, and it doesn't look like he'll get much time at all this year. Too bad because I feel like he could take a huge load off Harden's shoulders.
Then you are unquestionably biased. http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/24200/the-truth-about-kobe-bryant-in-crunch-time As of 2 years ago Kobe Bryant shots 31 percent from the field with less than 24 seconds left. As of this year he is shooting 32 percent. In the playoffs, he shoots 25% with less than 24 seconds left.
I agree. Rockets would have won at least 1 of the Suns/Lakers game had Brooks been in the rotation in place of Beverly. Fact is, Beverly is in for defensive purposes on a backup line that lacks consistent scorers (and has all season, he just ****s up the offense less than Douglas). When Lin is looking as scared as he did in the Lakers game, you put Brooks in at least you have a guy who believes he can make a shot. Brooks would work well with Harden. And he's young, so not sure why they're "developing" Beverly, when Brooks is better and has room to grow. So, he doesn't play defense? The Rocket's issue in the 4th against the Suns/Lakers was that the offense just died because Harden was shooting bricks and Lin was afraid to shoot at all. Brooks would help.
And let's be honest, Lin played his first full season. Who wouldn't want a backup for him that has put up 20PPG in the playoffs and was the 2nd best offensive player the last time the Rockets made the playoffs? No one can honestly say they'd rather Beverly be the first guard off the bench in a game that means something.
DD...putting the PER..in PERSPECTIVE! He isn't (to me) a top tier player. BUT, he is damn good. He is young and needs to work on his game to maybe take the next step. The issue will be next year. If you have a player that is not top tier and say we get Howard who by DEFAULT is the best center but not really...um...ELITE like we have seen centers in the past and we have similar pieces around him and Harden...can we win a championship in the next 5 years? One ring for me is not enough. I am into multiple rings and all that. Just asking because right now, the team is young and athletic. I would like to have a team that can play a little more defense if possible so that if its always going to be the Heat at the end of the day, then we need to let Le Bron have his 30, have a player on our end that can match 30 (efficiently!) and worry about shutting down the rest of the team. Thats how Dream & Co. kept the Bulls in check all the time. Dream matched Jordan and then it was everyone else on Pippen and the gang.
This juncture of the season is a defining moment for James Harden who, along with his teammates, must feel physical/mental fatigue. It's a heavy burden to be in the leadership role among players who've not previously worked together. But there's no question in my mind that his teammates respect him for the great player he is now as well as the one he is meant to be. (My wish is that they all get their second wind--and get accustomed to their extended season!--and STAY HEALTHY.)
Great link. A perfect example of how perception can be light years from reality. There's a good one on how much more clutch MJ was but I can't find the link.
This is one thread I usually don't click in GARM. Let me ask people who think Harden is overrated. Imagine this team without Harden. - What will be the future for this team when no big name FA's are interested of coming? - Do you think we can win a championship w/o any bonafide stars and a bunch of mid-teen picks? Houston is on its way becoming a contender BECAUSE of Harden. I loved Harden before the trade and have absolutely no doubt he will become a better player in the future.
I was actually very optimistic going into the playoffs until the last 2 games. Mchale (or whoever suggested to go ISO) really deflated my enthusiasm. My wheels are curbed. I am blaming McHale just because he's the one who is supposed to be calling the shots - and the fact that he's been questionable all year long. Fans have no idea what the hell he's going to do next (in a bad way), not even going to think what the players are thinking.
