Are Harden's off court activities hurting his play?

This is some crazy insight. Understanding fans don't complain when players are playing well - that's freaking mind blowing stuff. Are you some kind of wizard or something?

 

Why would we?

 

I think Kenny said it best, "the rockets just dont have what it takes to be an elite contender"

This seem very accurate today, but it is way too early to jump ship on this team. Remember how bad Miami was when they first put their Big 3 on the court?

Give them some time. I expect them to get better.

One thing I do question is ...I dont ever see anyone telling harden to get his act together. If he were on the Spurs, Pop would be in his face and eventually bench him. He has done that with Manu many times. It seems as though nobody with authority or leadership is telling Harden anything about his lackluster efforts. Last person I saw who seemed to remove all self-blame was T-Mac.

This is my real concern and I hope the Rox get a grip on this by February when all of the "real contenders" step up.

 

I remember last season he did the same thing. Just run away.

 

I hope missing the all star game wakes him up.

I defend harden because he saved out franchise from mediocrity, but at the same time WTF is going on with him.

 

Funny when Bill said that Tucker is having a career night seemed he was being sarcastic because everyone does against Harden.

Bull & Clyde were just laughing... Sad.

 

I am still asking: Is he still injured?

If yes, then why was he playing 40 minutes a game, especially when his shot wasn't falling?
If no, then he has NO excuse whatsoever.

 

I personally think he is still injured, though I know many people will never believe it. I believe McHale when he said he wouldn't have brought him back as soon as he did if Lin had not gone down.

 

Maybe he is still injured. Coach should cut his minutes down. Remember when Wade played just terrible last year and he didn't tell anyone he was playing with an injury.

 

Damn, was it really that bad last night? Couldn't watch the game last night. Probably glad I didn't.

Dude is still very young so hopefully someone from the Rocket org can get to him SOON.

(a new no-nonsense coach might do the trick )

 

Pathetic the team's "best player" and "leader" has this kind of weak ass mentality.

 

When you're stoned you're be more in the zone or at least you think you are. Maxwell was probably more focused. On the other hand when you're drunk, you think a butt that is twice of your head is attractive.

 

Bunch of knee jerking r****ds...

 

He did look he hadn't slept in a couple of days.

 

I think Harden is being affected by his new found celebrity status. Now that he's the top sg in the league the world has opened up and everyone is treating him like Kobe. He's the next Kobe. So his on court dedication and leadership is not surprisingly taking a hit.

What he will learn though is that as he struggles on court, it will become part of his off court life. That he will lose the respect he gained. Hopefully he's humble and smart enough to start realizing what happens on the court is key to everything. If he doesn't he could go the way of many of the NBA's prior guys who were super high scorers for a few seasons and then faded away.

There's not much that anyone can do...no point in worrying. It's really up to Harden. But when a player isn't accountable, when he walks away from a bad game saying relax there are plenty more, and can't talk to the media to own up - then it's definitely the sign of a guy who is going through a mentally weak period.

But for us to sit here and condemn the guy and throw him to the wolves is silly at this point. He's 24. Sometimes the best medicine to a guy who's ego is getting the best of him is to lose a lot. The best thing for this team right is the results we are seeing.

It's a good thing if the media starts to say, "Harden can't lead a team, he's just a talented scorer that lacks dedication and is more interested in having fun" Sometime losing is necessary.

Then he can see it.

 

The foot injury is no longer a good theory. Having a hurt foot doesn't make you jack 3 pointers early in the shot clock again and again. Ball movement has nothing to do with his foot.

Let's move on.

 

the next KOBE???????????????????????????????? dont disrespect KB24 by comparing him to harden

 

The stats would have. You just have to have the right stats, like the amount of alcohol consumed in the past 5 hours, number of hours spent in a strip club prior to coming to a game. There are many other stats would would predict Harden's performance on court. I am sure we know most of them.