[SI] Rockets Unable to Hide Harden's Defense Faults

like a free safety. or like a frog on the freeway. not sure which.

 

The Rockets problem on defense is that EVERYONE sags in, no matter who they are guarding, Lin does it, Parsons now does it, and Harden always does it....If there is no reason to Double Team, Dont SAG

 

You're right, I should've clarified. I think D-Mo is a better midrange shooter who can be a lethal asset from 14 feet away, quickly catching and shooting and being in a better position to attack the glass. A TD/Blake type, a real/true power forward. While Casspi stretches the floor in terms of being able to hit 3s, there's value in stretching the floor from mid-range that Casspi doesn't really bring, even though he is good at hitting 3s.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>A week ago James Harden is a superstar &amp; the best 2 in the league. This week he's a flopper with no defense. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23HoustonSportsFans&amp;src=hash">#HoustonSportsFans</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Rockets&amp;src=hash">#Rockets</a></p>&mdash; Mike K (@Zepp1978) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zepp1978/statuses/400035459943776258">November 11, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

it's been the same starting lineup all year

 

but this has little to do with not sticking to your man off the ball.

JJ Redick drove right by him....wouldnt have mattered if TT is on the floor, half these defensive lowlights they edited dont even asik/howard in the game together.

 

He always got a pass for his defense because the team was over achieving, not anymore, and if you're going to be the best 2 guard in the league that should come with high standards, including playing both sides of the ball.

 

This is the reason why I said Paul George was better than Harden in a comparison thread last year. With George you can see 100% effort night in and night out even if his shots aren't always falling you still know what you're getting defensively. Also, George is a student of the game and he's very cerebral in his attack and it shows as he's improved even more upon his huge jump from last year.

I'll get flamed for this one but I could care less because it's true in my opinion. If Harden put as much effort into scouting his opponents and studying the game especially on the defensive end as he did partying and making it rain at the skrip club we wouldn't be having threads like this and he would be the clear cut best SG in the game right now.

I know it may be critical but I say it only because it's true. If it were Kevin Martin we were talkin about I could care less since he's hopeless defensively but with Harden you know that he has the ability but is either too lazy or doesn't care enough to give effort 100% of the time same reason why Melo is scrutinized in my opinion. Imagine if Harden put in as much work and effort defensively as say Shane Battier or Tony Allen. He'd be one of the greatest players to ever play the game. It's not easy but I'm sure it would certainly be worth it.

I don't think Harden wants it bad enough.

 

oh great
now his trade value is at all time low

 

Yes... It can't be McHale's fault because Parsons is playing much better defense than he did as a rookie... Kyle Lowry simply loved McHale and praised his coaching ability and how he could thrive under him... And the Rockets now have Howard, Asik, Jones, and D-Mo and I haven't seen a consistent post game yet... So it can't be on McHale because he's an excellent coach...

 

A superstar/best 2 in the league never gets schooled by PJ Tucker one night followed by Jodie Meeks the next night in any game let alone the final few games of a season when battling for playoff positioning.

I thought he was going to focus more on defense this summer? Clearly he did not.

 

You're right, I should've clarified. I meant as a midrange shooter, acting more true PF. Shooting the ball from 14 feet away. Being in a better position to crash the glass.

 

TT+bev have to work...

 

Here is a serious question. Do the coaching staffs dare to bench Harden when every he misses his defensive assignment?

 

why would we pay max contract to a player to only play 5min a game?

 

Why all of a sudden everyone start talking about Harden's defense now? Go look at the games while he was with OKC, or last season, he was basically the same player, but with more minutes than him at OKC.

Last year's team had no one but Harden as a big-name, so he got a pass. Plus, the expectation was so low for last year's team, and they put a lot of points on the board, so no one cares much about his defense, or anyone's defense to that matter.

It's different now, with Howard joining the team, the expectation is sky high, anything was overlooked last year is under the microscope. You can call it not reasonable, but that's what comes when you are paid max, and billed as the "superstar" of the team.

 

For some reason, I'm not really worry about his defense. It is an easily fixable problem. For some reason, he is just not mentally focused. As season progresses, he will fall back to the means. In his case, Harden will improve his effort from his previous 7 games.

I am more worry about his offensive game. If Harden, as our #1 option, doesn't have a go to shot which he can rely upon during crunch time, we will not win close games nor have legit shot at a championship. I am more disappointed for not developing a mid-range pullup jumper this offseason than his defensive woes.

Dribble-dribble step back jumper is NOT a reliable shot and can be easily defended by league premier perimeter defenders

 

Agreed. Ultimately though, it's coach's responsibility to make him accountable for his play. Harden needs to realize that he has to focus just as much on the defensive side of the ball, or he will never be an elite player.

His offensive decisions have been questionable as well. I've been loathe to criticize him until now, but his play is bringing up memories of the stevie franchise days...dribble, dribble, dribble-jack up a shot with 3 seconds left (stevie, at least gave some effort on D). Let's hope that he has the will to improve his game, because he certainly has all the physical skills to be an elite player.

 

crap, they might hack a dwight

 

Dont forget about making white player steve blake and jj reddick look lime superstars