[2015-2016] James Harden the return of the defensive juggernaut

Steals don't matter in defense
Blocks don't matter in defense

according to alot of folx around here
only some ethereal eye test passing that can be found in a conglomerate of statistics teased and processed over hundreds of iterations


Rocket River

 

This is a good one.

 

I openly state I've been one of his biggest haters. Still not much of a fan. Don't think he will ever win a ring as the leader and neither will MDA as coach. You guys are riding high on a fun system that's proven to be just a regular season machine that's not good enough for the slower and mistake free playoffs. It can provide MVP's(Nash 2x and Harden should get it this season) but no rings or Finals appearances.

I still predict he will have a big falling out with this organization eventually which will lead to him demanding a trade to the Lakers or another bright city lights team. I'm 100% convinced of it.

 

This too is a good one.

 

Slower? Where you been? Warriors proved you can win with this style and by no means is it mistake free. On the Harden "future" drama all see is pessimism.

 

You mean the Warriors with their top offense and top defense? The only similarity we have to the Warriors style is shooting a lot of 3s except they have 2 of the greatest shooters ever and the rest of the team shot crazy good %'s. They move the ball like prime 80s Celtics. We're a 1 man team with spot up shooters.

You homers are the same guys who cry like its the end of the world and make this place unbearable in the offseason b/c your 1 man team didn't get out of the 2nd round or got embarrassed in the WCF and then go through denial and convince yourself were going to sign a big time free agent only to go through the same depression when no one chooses to come. A decent regular season later and it's "DYNASTY HERE WE COME!" only to repeat the depression all over again.

If you like Harden, that's great. But, be at least a little bit realistic. Bumping this thread proves nothing. MDA turned a regular all star pg into a 2x MVP and future HOF'er and they won 62 games their first season together. We'd have to go undefeated the rest of the way and still not even match those Suns.
The system's fun. Harden in the system has been fun. He's the MVP in my mind.

But, if Nash, Amare, Marion, Joe Johnson, and tons of other really good role players couldn't even make the Finals, what makes you think Harden surrounded by spot up shooters and young small big men and no defense is going to get it done in a league where 2 super teams exist and 1 really consistent franchise that just won't die is also in our way?

I bet you felt so good bumping this and quoting me. You can bump this when we finally get another superstar and a 3rd All-Star around Harden. Otherwise, there is no convincing me were not due for 2nd round losses every year til Harden finally demands a trade. Having an MVP season won't change how I feel about him and how were building around him and it won't change how I felt last summer when we signed MDA as head coach. Les Alexander got exactly what he wanted. A fun regular season team that's good enough to make the playoffs every year. You guys are eating that **** up.

 

I'll give you another prediction you can bump later.

If Harden does not win the MVP this season. That's it. He will be our guard version of Charles Barkley. He'll still get his stats, but he won't really care anymore. He won't come back stronger and better than ever with new moves and defense, etc. He's just going to go through the motions and out of shape until his contract runs out or he demands a trade after he gets his fat contract.

 

My exact sentiments.

 

Yep. I am definitely not sold on this team just yet. Waiting to see how we do this playoffs. We need better players surrounding him before we think anything of it just yet.

 

Man, if only we had a defensive-minded center who could lock down the paint, or a rising star wing player to pair alongside Harden.
Could you imagine where this team would be if Howard and Parsons weren't completely b****-made?

This system, as flawed as it is, is our only chance to do anything come postseason. Unless you would like for Morey to have traded Harden for a bag of peanuts and pull off his best Sam Hinkie impression for the next few years. Unless you have some great plan to get LeBron James to Houston, Harden is the best player to wear a Rockets Jersey in this century.

 

Wow, you are a fool.

 

1. Ok so being upbeat about your team is being a "homer" lol. They should just let the Cavs and Warriors play now and get it over with, no need for everyone else to play. I think most of us are realistic, we are well aware of this teams flaws but we also see the depth and problems we pose to other teams. Hey you can gloom and doom and believe Harden will get fat, leave the city and have 30 kardashian babies I'll enjoy the season and hope for the best.

 

that's a terrible thing to predict lol.

Don't know how things will play out, just gotta witness everything and enjoy the moment! for all we know he could bring us a chip and have his jersey retired in the arena one day

 

right?! what's wrong with enjoying the moment? do we have to force ourselves to give up on a team in order to not look like "homers."

Nobody here is saying dynasty or that we're favorites. We are all just excited about having a good team and are cautiously optimistic about what we can do. You never know what beard and these shooters could do in the playoffs if they get hot...

 

You should try a Snickers.

 

I don't know if he will turn into a Chuck but this is something I worry about and have mentioned it before. That will be twice where he felt he was the MVP and almost believed it was a given he'd be MVP. It might totally demoralize him and will result in him stat chasing in the following seasons and playing with less championship mentality

 

While I think @Caesar may be coming across a bit defensive, he brings up some reservations we all have about James' mindset and alot of that is probably being rooted into the dejection of Houston sports in general.
Regardless of past transgressions, you have to give Harden credit for committing to at least putting in the work to become a better leader. It obviously doesn't come naturally to him, so it remains to be seen how long he can sustain a healthy equilibrium there.
But, as history has shown, you don't always have to be a great teammate to be a great player (see: Jordan, Kobe)
I guess what separates my mentality from the @Caesar and @Mr. Clutch's of the world is I want to believe in him because it's in the best interest of the Rockets

 

He has been much better on defense this season. Anyone who still ***** on his defense is just hating.

 

There is not a whole lot correct about this opening statement.

 

If James cares that much about an award that he allows it to demoralize him then maybe he's not the right guy for the job in the first place.

Personally, I don't think James is mentally weak like that. Life will go on one way or the other and I doubt it will effect his game. If it does then we likely aren't going to win with this guy anyway.