Harden: "Dwight and I are the cornerstones of the Rockets. The rest of the guys are role players..."

I'm not judging Harden by his playoff performances at this point. He's just a 2nd year starter and McHale is his head coach and the Rockets run a Mickey Mouse offensive system. They don't play playoff style ball.

And despite what Asik, Parsons, and Lin did (and I'm not calling them garbage) _ none of those dudes were all star caliber players when Harden drug them to the playoffs kicking and screaming.

 

James?

 

I really can't believe how upset people are about this...

Would they prefer for our two superstars to sulk and talk about how bad we are gonna be without the all mighty Parsons?

They both answered questions about losing a key part of the team, they gave the generic answers. That other guys will step up and the team will be okay.

How the hell does this make them bad teammates?

 

Harden himself said that Troy saved our season. But comments like that get ignored.

 

Harden and his agent were negotiating with an entire year left, and UFA following. No one really believed they would trade him so fast like that. They didn't really give him a chance to negotiate. Harden did not make that decision.

Parsons, on the other hand, was in the drivers seat. But he was a RFA. His contract actually made it nearly impossible to match.

There is no Double Standard here, because these are not similar negotiation scenarios. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

You can't convince me this is a double standard. And I'm not even mad at Parsons like others. I'm more mad at Fegan. I honestly believe Parsons didn't realize what he signed and how unmatchable that was.

If you want a double standard...the proper comparison is Lin leaving the Knicks. Not OKC surprising everyone by ending negotiations way too prematurely and making a HORRIBLE trade.

 

You know what? I was unaware of the trade kicker. So I learned something new. I also applaud him not speaking out against Presti. Chandler is saying loads of stupid stuff, I'm not going to defend that.

But I was responding to someone saying Parsons leaving shows a lot about his priorities. Its obvious OKC cared more about not paying luxury tax than winning. OKC could have done more to work with Harden on that front for sure.

That being said, the best chance at winning for Harden at the time was to stay with OKC. Just like Parsons best chance for winning was to stay in houston. Clearly money was more important for them both. And again, I don't fault them for that, but the priorities seem to be the same to me.

All that doesn't change the fact that Harden did not show good leadership in his pieces and role player comment and it definitely doesnt change the fact that he needs to bring the effort night in and night out on defense.

 

True, its hard to play defense when all your offense is predicated on running up and down simply which leaves little energy for the defensive end. What Mchale and the Rockets run is the simple mans offense expending almost all enrgy on offense and leaving a little for defense. Don't ask me to run up and down every play and expect me to be an elite defender also. Need some structure.

 

Harden also referred to TJ as the x-factor early in the season. Harden's teammates know what's up.

Harden has even talked good about Lin before.

And around the time free agency being Harden said something along the lines of they just needed to improve the bench.

 

And let me guess... you viewed it as a great example of accountability and leadership...?

This isn't an issue about no matter what he says he can't win... It's matter of some of the things he says just aren't compatible with his actual actions... like, "I'm going to work hard on my defense this offseason"... While his actions do reflect a genuine attitude in other choices he makes when he expresses himself to the media... Like the quote reference in this very thread, his "it's 82 games it happens" quote after a horrid performance that punctuated a sustained pattern of poor play and poor effort, and his famous childishly combative "Who do you work for? It's just a game, you weirdo" quote directed at a reporter who was rightfully prodding him about his poor post-season performance...

The way you see him chew his teammates out, or call them out for an error on the court... while conveniently using the word "we" in games where his sole performance was the one big glaring error...

 

Exactly... You're not going to get through the playoffs when the fast break is your best offensive play.

 

As tough as it is to root for Harden at times, it will always be easier to take his side over non-Rocket Parsons. Parsons bragged that Cuban set up his contract so it would be IMPOSSIBLE for the Rockets to sign him. HE BRAGGED ABOUT THAT. And he is insulted by the Rockets???

Parsons is a Maverick, end of story. F him and the b****es that slurp him up and his BS hurt pride. Kudos for getting paid but I pray to all the gods that he is absolutely destroyed and humiliated every time he plays Houston.

 

I am eagerly anticipating the release of the season schedule.

If there's a few home games crammed around Dallas' first trip here... I'm seriously considering making the trip over from Sydney.

 

I hope that when the press follow up on this and pressure him for a response...well, hopefully he won't get defensive about it.

 

Well, this is where we disagree.

 

Again, people have a warped perception of how much we run and the number of possessions we have compared to other teams

The warriors play at essentially the same pace as us and they were a top 5 defense.

The sportvu stats say as a team we rank 12th in distance traveled per 48 minutes, for reference the spurs were #1. Also our average speed traveled is right in line with the rest of the league and once again the spurs rank #1 in that category as well.

The problem with the defense has nothing to do with our offense or the speed we play, it's more to do with lack of talent on that side of the ball to go along with coaching.

 

I'm starting to believe some of you would rather see Harden fail rather than the Rockets succeed.

 

Last I checked, 6th man of the year means you came off the bench. So yeah max contract for a bench player is totally accurate! You can plug in Jamal Crawford and get the same production for less.

 

And yet Howard, Bev and I am sure Ariza, will have no trouble doing so. SMH at the ignorance. Stop regurgitating this BS.

 

That's because their not real rockets fans. Real rockets fans understand that hardens the youngest superstar we've had since Hakeem. We have a real chance to see this "KID" grow. At 24 he's doing some pretty amazing things and leading the rockets to back to back playoff appearances.

We're not the lakers fellas we need to be proud of our guys. We should all be happy that we have a 24 yr old who is already 1st team all nba but has so much room for growth. That excites me, but apparently I'm in the minority.

 

Love my Rockets, love that in a round a bout way Harden defended the team.

But, Parsons and Harden both need to shut up. Parsons is an arrogant, cocky hypocrite. Signing a new contract in a night club. Saying he would recruit Dwight in 2 years. Wanting Howard over Asik, but not understanding the rockets targeting Melo over himself. Thinking he is better than Batum, ect. Parsons has to prove he is more than a third option/catch and shoot role player.

Harden has more ground to stand on for sure. But, Harden still has things to prove in his all around game.

Don't forget too that Dwight said this same thing in a more politically correct way.

Love that Harden took a shot at Parsons, someone needed too. But let your game do the talking this year.