There was a great moment in the Spurs game last night where Harden and Paul were talking to one another at mid-court during a free throw sequence. Below is a summary of the exchange; Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) 2 mins ago - View on Twitter #Rockets fans will enjoy this. Mid 3Q, Chris Paul and James Harden embrace and have a conversation. Chris Paul: “I never had help, I never had help”. Then points to James Harden who then mimics CP3’s passing. I heard a reporter (can't remember his name) who covered CP3 in LA make a comment earlier this week that he called Paul last week and he sounded happy on the phone. The reporter said it was a shock as every other time he'd spoken to Paul, he sounded determined or focused, but never happy. I think that this season has been a revelation for Paul. He's so driven that he's always blamed himself for not getting his teams to the promised land. But there are very few players who are so talented that they can carry a team all by themselves without another superstar. For the first time, Paul has a team around him that truly complements his skillset and he has Harden, who is that "Other Superstar". The burden of having to do it all himself has been lifted and he's finally able to enjoy playing the game again, like when he first entered the league with the Hornets (when he was the most feared player in the league for defensive coordinators). I can't wait for the playoffs so that Harden & CP3 will have the opportunity to get that monkey off their backs. I think they are going to be fantastic now that they have real help and that they are both pretty much giddy with that realization.
I think there were a few moments yesterday where CP3 missed a couple wide open threes and he was a little irked at himself and Harden came by and was making jokes. Seemed to help CP3 relax. Such a bad fit... lol
We always knew harden needed another playmaker. Gordon was a tease of that - because he could do the driving and shooting but he didn't have the passing - and even then we say how much better the Rockets became. Now with CP3, you have two elite guards on the floor for the entire game and at times, you have 3 elite guards. And two of those are the best passers in the NBA. And surrounded by 3 point shooters and the best finishing center in the NBA and there ya go. People said two ball dominant guards couldn't play together because of Jeremy F'ing Lin. What they forget was that Harden would pass to Lin and let him run the offense a lot. He wanted Lin to succeed but Lin just didn't have the talent. The whole there's only one ball thing was utterly strange given that GS had no problem with that and given that Harden has never been called selfish by his teammates. He's not Westbrooke. By the way, is it any wonder that every player who leaves westbrook's shadow goes on to do much better?
I was sitting close to game action last night and noted a few things. Harden and Ariza would get after Chris Paul every time he passed up a shot. They genuinely would get after him last night. Chris Paul and James smile constantly while playing. Harden is very much the leader of the team.
The happiness is from realizing he can now do what he loves to do. He gets to play ball the way he wants to do it. It is no longer on him if the team messes up. He no longer has to be the key factor in wins or losses.
CP3 has changed since joining the Rockets. He's no longer a sourpuss who feels the world is sitting on his shoulders like with the NO Hornets and Clippers. He's adapted to the more relaxed, "fun" culture on the Rockets and actually appears to be enjoying himself. At the same time, his gravity seems to be rubbing off on Harden to some extent. Last night was a setback in that regard. Harden still plays the score when the Rockets have a big lead. It took the hard foul from Brandon Paul late in the game to snap him back to seriousness. It must be a great experience for CP3 when he can watch another, more talented player on his own team take over games.
This is what playing for MDA and with James Harden will do for you. Other than Dwight no player had ever said one bad thing about either guy. Players love playing with James and players love playing for MDA. Cp3 is just the first superstar I find out but all out role players love these guys because they have career years and the game is simplified to put you in the best position to succeed. Harden gets to do all the hard stuff because he's that good. And cp3 gets to help harden out with the hard stuff so it's even better.
Ya that guy who fouled him pissed james off. He immediately got that step back mid range jumper and than the next possession hit a rainbow three all in his face nothing but the net. It was a great to see harden say FU in the best player on this court Kawi included and I can score whenever I want and close you busters out.
Rockets fans (myself included) have been clamoring for that “one piece away from contending” player for a while now. Some have even been clamoring for that “elusive final piece” even with Paul on the squad now. Listen/read carefully.....adding CP3 and Tucker and Luc completed our championship roster. Does that mean they will win it all? Remains to be seen. What I’m saying is CP3 IS THAT FINAL ELUSIVE PIECE TO COMPLIMENT HARDEN. This Rockets team as assembled and healthy is good enough to win a title this year. PERIOD.
