Do the Rockets play better basketball without Harden?

Without reading any other posts in this thread. This sums it up pretty much.

We made the playoffs last year solely because of harden. I don't even know if we would have been a .500 team without him last season. Same with this season. we'd be struggling to be above 500 if it wasn't for harden.

I can't fathom how people think we're better without a player who put up almost 40 points over 3 games in a row. That's like saying the heat are better without lebron or wade. The heat have won games with both of them out, and they move the ball better with those two or one missing. Does that mean the heat are a better team without lebron and wade? you'd have to be out of your mind to think so.

 

What evidence is there that the rockets are worse with Harden?

 

"GTFO" with your filthy mouth and fingers.

 

A quote taken out of context.

 

No evidence. I am just saying, the team should be "obviously" better with "the best SG" in the league in the line up.

Don't get me wrong. Harden is a great guard. He just demands the ball too much for THIS team's other positions to function to their maximum power.

 

THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY BETTER.

There are these things now called stats (that's short for statistics). They show pretty "OBVIOUSLY" that the Rockets are better with Harden than they are without.

 

What's obvious to me in the last two games is that the ball movement was much better (obvious enough to the commentator and Harden's own teammate). The team played more like a unit. If we have more consistent pure "catch-and-shoot" 3-point threats with good defense, Rox will become better. Many players in the league can fill a stat sheet, but it takes much more to be call the league's "best".

 

Poor Clutch.

Look what's become of this place.

 

When it becomes playoff time lets not play Harden and see what happens.

 

The 2003 Philly 76er's probably had better ball movement when Iverson was off the court too. I guess you think the 2008/09 Rockets were better without a Healthy T-MAC too because they probably moved the ball a little better? I bet the ball moves pretty well without Kobe too.

Also if last night and the night before, Harden played, whose to say the Rockets dont actually avoid playing in a tight game and win by a larger margin? IMO I didn't think they played that great at all. Yes they moved the ball alot more, but that doesn't mean they had any greater chance of winning a basketball game against a quality opponent.

You are obviously trolling so I'm just going to leave it at that. You are just embarrassing yourself.

 

Does the ball move better? Sure.

How much better were the Rockets? They barely beat a depleted (missing Green, Splitter, Leonard and Ginobli mid-way). In their first 2 meetings against a full strength Spurs on the road, the Rockets have twice managed to acquire a huge lead and have beaten them convincingly.

Rockets are 1-1 against Mavericks with Harden, and 1-1 without Harden. In their loss against Mavericks with Harden, the team gave up a huge lead and the Mavericks were hitting impossible shots. Last night, the Mavs were missing shots they normally make against the Rockets last night. Jose Calderon had two great looks and he missed them both which would have won the game.

If you want to justify this team being better without Harden, then this team needs to beat a strong team convincingly.

 

Ball movement =/ better.

 

The answer is yes, they do. Does that mean people don't want Harden on the team, no. Harden just needs to mature, like Lebron, MJ, Hakeem, Kobe. Kobe got lucky because he rode Shaq when he was young. The others had great years with stats but it wasn't until they learned how to elevate others that they became the champs that you remember. I remember each one of these guys playing like young punks who would never win, even MJ.

Harden is getting the message. Durant might be the only example in history of a guy that actually needs to take more control, i.e. Westbrook the only Durant killer in the league.

 

eh happens all the time when the superstar goes out. not really a sustainable model usually though.

 

If this forum has trouble handling the popularity/controversy of just two players, it's going to reach a breaking point if this team actually reaches the pressure of championship contention.

 

You mean this make up controversy. No smart Rockets fan is falling for this garbage thread.

 

lol. Harden is not Lebron. It's not even close. He will never be a HF. Harden's team will never won a championship. Mark it.

 

Very good argument. For the record, I am not saying that this team will be better without our starting SG in the long run and I do like Harden's 1 on 1 ability in difficult situations.

I am just saying that trading Harden for a sharp shooting, less ball-demanding SG with good defense and a solid stretch 4 will make the team better.

 

This is me every single time I enter the GARM:

 

Let me put this way.

Rockets without Harden --> Good
Rockets with Harden --> Better
Rockets with Harden + better ball movement --> Even Better
Rocekts with Harden + better ball movement + Harden plays defense --> Championship contenter

Now, tell me which scenario you prefer :grin:

Simple as that:grin::grin: