We are definitely better when Harden is on the floor, however, he must buy into ball movement. He either must shoot, dribble, or drive immediately. Harden allows the defense to recover to open shooters, which shuts down the offense. HOWEVER, WE HAVE DOWN SOMETHING AMAZING BEATING SAN ANTONIO 3 TIMES AND DALLAS IN DALLAS ON A BACK TO BACK W/O HARDEN. SO I'M SUPER HYPED!!!
If he's not demanding, can we cut down his post ups and run PnR? That stuff is less consistent than Lin's performance
Parsons is just stating the obvious here.... being that Harden is a great isolation player, other players DEFER to him, plays get broken & he ends up being relied on to bail them out, and it leads to the ball getting sticky. No way is Parsons saying that the Rockets are BETTER without Harden one of the best isolation players in the game. That's utter stupidity. Name me one team that has won a NBA title without a great isolation player... and yes back in the mid 2000's Billups was a great isolation player for a few years. I've played organized & un-organized basketball, coached, and watched decades of professional, college, or whatever type of basketball I can find. James Harden is one of the most unselfish superstar great isolation players I have ever seen, and the Rockets are lucky to have him. The response so-called "fans" on here have to him is borderline pathetic. Yes the ball moves more when you dont have a great isolation player on the floor, but that in no way means they are better off in the long run and Parsons is smart enough to know that. The team that won 22 games staight a few years back did so without a fully healthy T-Mac, and no Yao besides the first few games. They did what they did in the regular season, but do you think for a millisecond that they would go anywhere in the playoffs without a healthy Yao or T-Mac???.... Lets please set the record straight, please refrain from bringing that Real Housewives drama on the GARM today. You all are making something out of NOTHING and are an embarrassment.
Maybe you are right. Howard knows that without Harden, everyone must step their game up because Harden is our best one-on-one player and overall best playmaker.
Listening it to it on audio, he didn't seem to mean it as a shot to Harden. He was more commenting on how the whole team defers to Harden and let him play one-on-one at times when Harden is in. He mentioned that Harden also sets up his teammates so I took it as at times when Harden is in the team just ball watches and stands around instead of "a more balanced attack". It didn't sound like he was calling out Harden, but rather the whole team.
Observation From my observation, the team plays cohesively and with a lot of energy without Harden on the floor. When Harden is on the floor the team defers to him and just watches him. Reminds me of the Knicks and Carmelo. Also, if you noticed - the players are all smiles and energy. I don't blame Harden, but the coach. If they can't see this from the last couple of games, then they need to be replaced. BTW, this is not new news. This has occurred before when Harden was sidelined. A great player makes the players around him great. I don't get that feel with Harden. Stats don't make championships. Teamwork does. The coach need to figure this out.
It's a shame that a person cannot speak his mind because he is telling the truth. James knows this and knows how Parson's feels about this it. That keep it in the locker room is bogus and James needs to step up as a GAM and accept responsiblity and accountability.
You know he's gonna want a fat contract. So Les better get ready to emoty out his pocket book. If we don't Parson will go to the highest bidder.
Parsons has been complaining about Harden to the media in one way or another since last year. He didn't need Howard to coach him to say it. Shows a sign of lack of chemistry, IMO. I never hear San Antonio or OKC players complaining about each other and putting their teammates on blast in the media _ that's the coach's place to do. Sounds to me Parsons wants to be the man. Because I don't never hear him complaining about Howard not getting enough shots. And Parsons touched the ball and shot the ball the most last night. If Parsons would have had a bad game _ I bet he would have said none of that.
agreed but you address that in the locker room not to the media. This is a young team trying to build chemistry and you don't want what could be a negative vibe interrupting their focus on the ultimate prize.
Kobe is tall SG. He has advantage in isolation. Harden is great for small ball offense. He can penetrate and pass. He should only play ISO against opponent PG.
No offense, but you must be a youngster. Sometimes it's best to hold your tongue even if you're speaking the truth. That's the way of the world my friend.
I think this is probably correct. Chandler has made some questionable or possibly "non-PC" statements to the press before but what you describe is very common. LaBron, The Slim Reaper (love that BTW), MJ, Kobe, all had this problem. They were so good with the ball their teammates tended to stand around and watch. Of course Harden isn't as good as those cats, but the effect on the team appears to be the same.
For the record, this season Harden is only taking about 5 more shots a game than Parsons, so it's not like he's isn't getting his, he's just not getting as big a slice as Harden.
See my post in the thread about Chandler's comment. I'm wondering the same thing. http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=250202&page=12
