Harden had a poor series by superstar standards. If he continues to have poor series, then we all (including Morey) have to reconsider the value of Harden's "efficiency" in the regular season if he isn't going to consistently get the same calls in the playoffs. That and if his defense doesn't improve then his scoring is canceled out. Maybe Harden wasn't 100% healthy, but what ever the case, the majority of games in the series would have been won if he could have scored 1 more point or held his man to one less point. As far as Morey, the bottom line is that we have a very talented, young team that has a well managed cap with the capabilities to add a 3rd max player. There are plenty of teams who would kill to be in our position, and you will be hard pressed to explain how any other GM would have us in a better position. If you expect 100% good moves, you will be disappointed with anyone we get. On the flip side it is much easier to argue that another coach could do more with the roster than McHale has. I'm not as 100% he has to go as some people, but it's much easier to argue that there are coaches who could do a better job, and point to potential mistakes, or lack of execution in key situations that another coach might have handled differently. Individually, lack of execution is on the players, but when it happens repeatedly then you have to question the coaching on some level. It just depends on how much of that you want to blame on youth and player mistakes vs coaching the young players well enough to avoid those mistakes.
A better coach and game plan would also helped Harden's offense get on track much sooner than Game 6. Or prevent those high volume attempts. Ugh Harden can be given a pass this series for that reason. We don't know how much better he can be if only we have a better coach. That goes for his defense as well.
From someone openly treated players as assets? From someone couldn't/wouldn't keep more than 2 players for more than 3 years on the team? Data and Analysis is the way to go in all industries, basketball included. But I just think it can't be all numbers, after all, it's not played by machines.
I still think it's funny people really believe this. If LMA, Dirk or anyone who has shown to be good enough at mid range jumpers was on our team, they would be free to take them. We didn't have those guys, so we focused on higher efficiency ones.
You do know that Rockets not only took the least mid-range shots among all teams in the league, but also only attempted HALF of what second last team did, right? Just because we don't have LMA?
Will see this offseason we has a full offseason to pick a bench not waiting till Howard signs and then having to sign leftover scraps.
Rockets still outscored their season avg. in the series. More FT makes and better D. Morey's analytical approach (which still accounts for 1/3 of his player evaluations) has been just fine. We got beat by a better, deeper, healthier team. It's not panic time.
