James Harden has not been the same player he was a year ago. I think most people would agree with that. If all he wants to do is score, should the coaching staff consider bringing him off of the bench where he has had some recent success as a one time NBA 6th man of the year? Or should they continue with the status quo in hopes that he returns to being the player he was a year ago? I think I would be tempted to try him off the bench for a while just to see what happens. How much worse could it be?
Two Bench Harden threads in one day ... http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=271920 Something tells me,,,this one is going to take off, though.
It should be done, with the way he's playing for himself and with no defense right now. But if you do this to Harden, it's over,he'll intentionally play like trash, create conflicts with the staff and demand a trade. He puts his fame and individual accolades over team success.
I am not for starting him on the bench!! But I am all in for benching him if he is not putting effort on the floor. Sometimes he is just not into the game and should be benched. I have noticed that sometimes the team plays better when he is on the bench. I know he is a scorer and we need a player with his talent but if he is not putting the right effort, it really does not matter how good he is.
You do this and whatever value he has ultimately goes down the drain. Harden is not someone who will respond to a benching and come back fired up. He doesn't have that desire. He will throw in the towel and demand a trade. He is an egotistical my stats guy Anyway very very good thread OP. 1 star. Would not read again
Being an instant offense type of 6th man off the bench isn't exactly the same as benching him though. I'm not saying he shouldn't play, only suggesting that maybe his role should be updated until he decides to play a more complete game.
Dont have to bench Harden, let him start and limit his minutes and tell him we're trying to rest him for the long haul.
You people do understand the difference between benching someone and changing their role, right? This isn't necessarily punitive as much as it is strategic. Harden is struggling this year, maybe coming off the bench would help to wake him up?
we always have a player's coach, so this will never happen. but yeah, if we had Thibs, he'd do it to push Harden over the edge. and then Harden might go talk to Morey if he's so mad, and Morey will just laughingly apologize because he's got 2 more yrs after this one.
Stat wise he looks like the same player from last year. But those who watches most to all the games this year can tell you that he's not the same player from last season. Just like how Terry kept saying this is not the same team from last season anymore.
These over reaction threads are hilarious. NO way James Harden comes off the bench. It doesn't make any sense no matter which direction you want to go.
MVP this year should be out of question. At least going to the bench should net him another 6th man award. Let Ty and DH run the team and James to create havoc @ bench until we see an improvement.
