[CBS Sports] James Harden and his scrappy teammates have done the impossible: they've become likable

This article essentially concedes that there is widespread bias against the rockets, and now a single writer is kind of changing his mind. Its like saying, "hey bro, I've been nailing your wife for years, but now that I don't hate you anymore, maybe I'll just fck her on weekends".

 

just win, baby!

 

so they admit the rockets are/were "one of the most despised teams of the past decade".

seems a bit undeserved tbh. haven't we always played the scrappy underdog role?

 

All growns up

 

Truth is Harden is playing differently than he once did and because the Rockets go as he goes we are seeing a different game. The offense isn't dependent on him as it once was. I mean, he is still the everything of the offense, but it's now in an almost covert way because so many people are doing other things with the ball besides shoot. The defense still takes his lead and since he's playing so hard and smart so to is the team playing hard and smart defense. All these things have made the Rockets more fun to watch and you also have the David and Goliath narrative going because of the small ball thing. The only people who still hate are those that don't like the "gimmick" small ball strategy or just have a personal issue with Harden.

 

No other MVP has had to change their games as much as Harden, while at the PEAK of their game.

Harden is constantly evolving his game because of NBA **** shows like this.

 

I have only watched this video once before now...this is the 1st time I’ve noticed this, but at around the 1:40 mark, look at the face and snide little comment Scott Foster makes at Harden when he goes up to him after he’s waived off that 4 point play...dude is such a scumbag

 

Saw that too.

He dismisses Harden like he was a roach.