Ridiculous, this is what MVPs do too, when they're on the court they make everyone look much better. This is why he's the best player right now, not in a vacuum, but for carrying a bunch of mediocre shooters and showing it on defense too.
So, in other words, we were +11 in his 35 minutes, and -15 in his 13 minutes on the bench. It shows how dependent our players are on a good shot creator. Without Gordon and Rivers having strong games, and without Westbrook, it will be a major struggle while Harden is sitting.
James Hardens greatness wont be appreciated by the rest of the BBall world until after he retires. We are all witnesses.
The good thing is that we know Austin is good for a game or two in a playoff series. Eric, we know he is capable, and he really showed up last year in the playoffs, but this year the verdict is out on him.
If Covington, Tucker and Gordon just shot their normal 3pt %, the rockets would feast off of the Harden double teams.
Last game was one of the best and most effortless looking games I’ve ever seen him play . had his teammates hit more of his open looks he gave them , he legitimately could have had a 20 assist game . He would have put up 40/20/20 like it was nothing . And those 3’s to drag us back in it LOL , ridiculous shots . his teammates DID get him a few catch and shoot 3’s which was great to see and helped make his scoring look that much easier
We are essentially back to 2016-2017 season again except without Lou and Nene to make some plays on their own. Harden will have to play 48 min
Kudos to Rockets for fielding a top 10 defense like they said they were capable of doing. Defense has been elite in the bubble. However, our offense has struggled in the bubble, especially when Harden off the floor. But when Harden on the floor, Rockets offense is elite. Harden is going to play big minutes, but that's why he gets paid the big money.
Yes..... just like old times (sometimes even when Paul was a Rocket) and when the Rockets did not have Paul. The Rockets have shot creators, exceptional ones with Harden and Westbrook and at times Gordon....... and when they are healthy there are no concerns on that side of the ball. The problem is to optimize those two elite shot creators, the team needs shooters and defenders........ half the engine is gone right now and we will see what happens..... The Rockets can win even if they struggle making shots if they defend well...... and there is no real reason they cannot be a damn good defensive team with Westbrook off the court and Rivers defending instead.
