(The Ringer) The Rockets’ Fate—in Game 7 and Beyond—Is in James Harden’s Hands

There was a reason why Chris Paul--a HEALTHY Chris Paul--fit so well with Harden. Paul don't mind having the ball late in games and/or taking the tough shots. This isn't a knock on Harden because the guy can only carry the team for so long and for so far that he needs another person on the team that can be counted on. That guy can still be Russ or Gordon but either one will have to be tons better than what they showed in Game 6.

Gordon for this series is shooting under 40% and under 18% from 3, yet he's averaging almost 18 ppg. Maybe lay off on some of those 30ft heaves and do what he does better and drive to the basket?

 

Tilman wouldn’t spring for Gary Wright and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

 

This is the highest pressure game in the Harden Morey era. They could’ve won the series already. They should’ve won the series already. But if they lose, everyone is at fault and there will be explosive organizational changes whether they were deserved or not. D’antoni fired, Morey fired or resigned. Harden probably demands a trade. Tillman sells the team.

 

If TF sells the team because the Rockets lose today, I want the Rockets to lose.

 

might have to sell win or lose. But if harden is traded and they rebuild Tillman definitely won’t be able to survive that.

 

What's frustrating about Harden is that his ability to stop on a dime means he can generate a good short jumper whenever he wants. To completely eliminate that from his game was a mistake. He's gotten better in every area, so it's too bad he lost that aspect of his game. Good points from KOC.

 

But that’s on Morey and MDA...Harden could be a midrange monster and abuse people on the high elbow or low block...but our system just doesn’t allow that.

That’s why this system is flawed to a point especially in the playoffs in a 7 game series.

It’s too predictable and teams know not to defend the pull up jumper or have to worry about us running our offense thru post ups.

Guard the 3 point line and clog the paint.

 

why is that on morey and mda?
i dont think they are that dogmatic...
they allowed cp3 to take middies, they allowed westbrook to take midrange , they allowed nene to take middies... then why would we think they banned james from ever using it?

 

what a waste!?
imagine how many more points he could generate if he took 3s instead on all these possessions?

 

Honestly, tonight Harden’s legacy is on the line. If they lose organizational changes are going to have to be made. Obviously D’Antoni will be gone. If they lose though, the Rockets have to seriously consider trading Harden. Maybe go get Jason Tatum and draft picks or move him for Murray with Denver or Booker and Ayton or straight up for Mitchell or maybe even Ben Simmons or to the Heat for picks and some package. I don’t know what they are going to get for him but it might be time.

 

There’s no way they’d give up tatum or booker... Simmons I think is possible...

mitchell a maybe, but then again the jazz fans hate harden.... I wouldn’t trade harden for Mitchell even in Mitchell’s younger age... he’ll never be as good as harden.

 

Yeah maybe not on Tatum but I’d take Brown if that’s the case.

 

browns not enough. Add smart and I think we have to consider it

 

lol tillman ain’t trying harden. We got a better shot at moving back to San Diego

 

Harden will get all the blame from the media/fans if we lose like usual. His legacy will be cemented by everyone outside of Rockets fans as "Playoff Choker".

Hopefully Harden knows what's at stake, although we all know how he performs in crunch time in elim games so I'm not getting my hopes up again.

Kevin O' Conner already has the Harden hit piece out on the ringer saying Harden shoots 24% in 4th quarters/OT in the playoffs.

The only way we win this game will be another G5, where we blow them out early in the 2nd half. If it's another close game down the stretch, CP3 will do anything in his power to send us home.

 

I’m not so sure. Does Tillman want to pay $80M to two former MVP winners who can’t get out of the first round? Doubtful, especially in this climate.

 

This headline was more prophetic than we thought.

 

Gotta give credit where credit is due. There is no way in a million years I’d expect Harden to have a game clinching block after he spent nearly 4 quarters chocking away the series, and to be honest, his legacy and reputation.

Beard it’s time for you to go nuts now, You’ve got the world’s attention vs the King!

Good night