If I was paying someone 20mil a year and the guy would only put effort in his work less than half the time I'd be peeved for sure.
Not me. He is young. Everybody was raving about how incredibly mature his game was for his years. Well, he is still growing.
You do know Harden is only 24 years old right...??? You guys ride him like he's a 10 year veteran in the league like Howard... Great game with a great victory and people are still bytch'n. And this is coming from the same fan base that was so patient with Kubiak, Schaub, and Carr... But a young kid like Harden _ different story.
He's played well enough on offense and shown enough flashes on defense, that to me it was clear it's a lack of effort that's holding him back. Last game was good to see, but, sadly, I don't expect this to keep up throughout the season. The "he's young" excuse could sincerely be made only by grumpy old farts. Being young doesn't make you useless or lazy. Or it shouldn't, anyway.
I've been saying all along defense is firstly about mentality and attitude. In this case, I'd say coaching team and player both should share the responsibility. McHale/Sampson should make it clear that they want EVERY player play defense every single minute playing. And Harden should make an effort to REMEMBER or develop the habit that he needs to defend every minute when he's on court. I like what I see last night. Now keep that mentality 82x48.
So you think if star players suddenly work harder in the playoffs and the team will click immediately ready to go with team chemistry? I'm afraid any good team might have broken down mid-way in a season like last year's Lakers. Sorry man, your post is rather naive there.
lets see what he does next game too me it has become obvious that Parsons is the leader of this team... almost feel bad he is getting paid as much as he is
Wow. What a load of crap. Great defensive rotations only come through getting in a ton of reps. You only get a high quantity of reps through playing. The ONLY way that Houston becomes a strong defensive team is if EVERYONE plays with Effort on Defense the vast majority of the time. If you think the team can go through 50/82 games with one person not playing defense and then suddenly come play off time that we'll be anywhere near a passable defensive team, then you are way, WAY off base. When Harden bags it on Defense, he not only impedes his own growth as a defender, he stunts the growth of the ENTIRE TEAM on defense. It's like learning to dance. You can only do so much without a partner. You become a great dancer by putting in time on the floor with your partner and learning their strengths, weaknesses, and tendencies. Can you imagine a Navel SEAL telling his commander, "No worry General, I know I dial it in during training, but just wait until I'm in the field!" One person bagging it on defense undermines the entire team's defensive chemistry. It also creates conflict in the locker room as those who DO play defense start wondering Why they bother? It creates the feeling that there's a double standard between the "star" and everyone else. And if you're Dwight who's there to primarily play Defense, why should HE take fewer touches and play hard on defense if Harden's going to leave him high and dry every time Harden's man comes down the floor? And oh yah, this puts more games in the Loss column for the team. Those additional losses cost the Rockets seeding and potential Home Court advantage when you get to the play offs. We're 14-7 right now. If we had won 2 more games, we'd be a 1/2 game behind OKC. According to your logic, who cares if we don't have HCA in the first 2 rounds of the play offs? Why care about HCA at all? It's all okay as long as Harden just turns it on in the play offs, right? Harden is on a MAX contract. When you get paid MAX, the Last thing that should be a concern is Effort.
Let me clarify, I like Harden.. I just want to see him flourish to the best of his abilities Maybe I'm living in the past-- the days of 'The Dream'.. See, he had his off games from time to time (that happens, even to the great ones). However, I never questioned him. Hakeem played both sides of the floor with unwavering effort. Now I understand it isn't fair to compare Harden to Hakeem. But I do think Harden has the potential to be a legend like Hakeem. Hakeem played both sides of the floor. Consider he was a 'big man' (their bodies usually get wrecked much quicker than a smaller framed player) and also considering the position he played (the most physically taxing on the floor). He still played both sides night in and night out. I just want Harden to maintain the motivation to do that, in which he showed last night in Golden State That is all
I feel that we don't have a leader on this team. What has Parsons done ( give examples) the has made him the leader? Dwight seems closer to the leader than Parsons. But Dwight is not there yet.
I'm into Rockets Discussion not just fact stating. This thread is about as useful to the garm as a thread might be titled "I don't like like Royce Whites Anxiety Disorder" or "I think Aaron Brooks is short ". The point is this adds nothing to the discussion... It's just whining. If you don't like Hardens defense that's fine but creating b****ing thread after b****ing thread adds nothing to the discussion. Here's a thought... When creating a thread.....Try a little harder to HAVE A POINT please.
First rockets game i attended was around this time in 81. Favorite player that game was Robert Reid. There something wrong with my generation?
Just to be clear I don't think the Op is wrong or that he isn't a good poster or anything. What's is annoying to me is that nothing objective will follow from a thread like this. I'd just like to see more analysis instead instant emotional response threads especially from long time members. Too much to ask?? Probably... Carry on.
I'm not happy until the defensive effort is consistent. One out of 2 or 3 games does not cut it. Defense needs to be something you can rely on when the offense is off, not the other way around.
One of alcoholism's diagnostic criteria: it affects your job performance. Not trying to imply anything. Just saying. And hoping we won't have to turn Clutchfans into an Al-Anon support group.
Well if that isn't the pot calling the kettle black... If "herd mentality" applies to anyone on this board, it would be the 2012-2013-ers on this board. (No offense to a few decent posters in that group).
