With Harden out and the win today, I decided to look at the games he's missed this season.

I can't speak for everyone but when I cite stuff like this, it's really just to suggest that we can play a little more team ball. Harden taking 2-3 less shots and letting Lin play PG and while he plays SG isn't saying that Harden sucks or isn't our best player. It's just that these games would indicate that we are capable of playing some pretty good team ball and if Harden could just give up a little of his control, I think it benefits the team.

But there are so many people who say that Harden shouldn't be asked to change or alter his game a single bit and that he should be the man and control the ball/offense as much as he wants. I disagree with that and I disagree with McHale not trying to change it up a little.

 

I think 50% off the time harden should swing the ball around as if he was Francisco Garcia. 35% pick and roll and 15% iso. One thing that kinda bugs me is the ppl that want harden to sit around and let Lin be the playmaker. Yes I agree in theory this is great but the reality is Lin is a 6'3 poor mans version of harden, he's not a true pg. so the idea that you would want a player with inferior talent controlling the offense over harden just has no merit with me. Personally I think offensively their very good together it's just that defensively Lin is worse than harden so until harden becomes a lockdown defender it's going to be hard to roll with that line up against elite back courts. Harden has the ability to be an elite defender Lin I'm not so sure but I do know Lin is way to smart to be making these poor rotations and floating around looking for Steals. Until he fixes this he will never be more than a back up on a good team no matter how good he's shooting the ball.

 

Having skills and ability and actually choosing to use them are two different things. Harden and Lin might be similar on playmaking ability (both had good assist numbers last season, especially for playing together). But this season, Harden's mentality is still in last seasons mode where he was expected to do most of the scoring. We have Dwight now, Parsons has evolved his game and Lin is shooting a good percentage. Harden has to have the desire to share the ball more and that's where I see a shortcoming. On defense, it's the same thing. We have seen that when Harden wants to play D, he's a lock down defender and can really turn the game around. But we have also seen that most of the time he just dials it in. Is it due to heart or injury? I'm not sure but it happens more often than not that his D is under the level he is capable of playing. While I didn't see it tonight, I think that Lin does hustle his butt off on D and because of that, this season, his D has actually been better than Hardens most of the time (which is scary).

 

Now you see what happens with no Harden out there?

 

Asik was a bigger loss from this game than Harden.

 

Well this thread was proven useless last night.

The Rockets need Harden and Beverly, end of discussion.

 

Yep, Harden and Bev were sorely needed last night.

 

Really? Aren't there already tons of threads and posts already? What's the point in starting a new one?

I thought this thread is about how the Rockets win more without Harden. And how the OP feels the Rockets "may look into other options at SG." Yes, the OP actually said that the if the Rockets keep winning without Harden, then Morey should look to replace him.

Saying Harden should iso less is probably correct but an old tired comment on his play. Saying the Rockets may try to find another option at SG is, quite frankly, just stupid.

 

Would loved to of (have?) had the full roster available. Asik was needed in the paint, Harden on offense, and Bev on the perimeter.

 

Which is why I said I do not think we should trade Harden. He is one of the top talents in the NBA and unless we were getting Durant or Lebron, I'm gonna say we keep Harden. But continuing to raise the topic of his ISO game is valid bc it shows that neither he nor McHale have changed course. That is a really big problem.