Note: Since I don't have thread starting privileges in the GARM I would appreciate it if someone would post this topic in there as I don't see a specific discussion on this issue among the current topics. While it's been alluded to in various threads I feel this issue merits debate as a separate discussion. === There seems to be a general consensus that it is superstars that get teams into the playoffs and ultimately win championships. Having good roleplayers around them is important and these players come and go, but the fate of this franchise for the forseeable future is going come down to how our superstars perform and gel on the court. Since somehow every thread gets turned into a Lin thread it would be nice if we could avoid bringing him into this conversation. Whether people like it or not and whether he has star potential or not (and I think he does) he is a roleplayer on this team for the coming season at least. Parsons too has star potential as does Asik. But let's stick to Harden and Howard. What do you expect from these guys on the court? What do they need to do to take the Rockets to the holy grail of an NBA title? I don't want to get caught up in points/assists, because those will come regardless for these two heavyweights. Harden: There are three issues here, defense, burnout and offensive burden. For me, it all starts with the offensive burden. Last season he had too much responsibility on his shoulders to carry the team. Sometimes he pulled it off looking like Achilles himself vanquishing entire armies with his swift and decisive attacks but sometimes he held the ball till two seconds in the shot clock before passing it to someone else to jack up a bad shot. I think harden needs to improve his decision making and trust his teammates more. He has to pass and faster. If he swings the ball early enough, there's a chance it could come back to him for the finish. Having Dwight is a game changer in this regard but Harden's going to have the rock in his hands come crunch time and his decision making is going to be the difference between winning or losing. I think he has potential to grow as a player and I think fundamentally he is not a selfish guy. Hopefully he learns to trust his team mates more and read the game better. If he can do this, then I think he will have more energy on the defensive end. And really, as far as I'm concerned, if Harden really wants to be called a superstar, there can be NO EXCUSES this season for a lack of defensive effort. This is something Houston fans should not tolerate. If we want a championship, NO ONE gets a free pass. And please don't bring up has been Kobe for comparison. While I want the discussion to center on the superstars, it has to be said that for McHale to reduce Harden's minutes, the other guys need to step up. I think our second unit will destroy that of most other teams which is going to give the coach a lot more options for regulating Harden and Howard's minutes this season. In summary, I expect big things from Harden, this is his moment to step up and show us his CHARACTER as a LEADER. Will he make the necessary sacrifices be that in points or assists and put the win above all else? I believe he has it in him to do that. Howard: I didn't watch a lot of the Lakers last season because they make me want to puke. And the big question mark over Howard remains the issue of chemistry in the locker room and his role on the court. I think we are going to see a different Howard this season, a Howard close to the guy that took Orlando to the finals. I think he will continue to struggle with free throws but that issue is not going to hurt us nearly as much as most people fear or predict. The key for Howard will be to be willing to fit in OUR offense, to play the pick and role. He's got the supporting cast for it, an elite pick and roll guard in Harden and a very useful backup option in Lin. He has to recognise his own limitations and not create a situation where he has to be given the ball and be allowed to go to work. This team has too much talent to waste on ISO possessions. Harden, Parsons, Lin, Beverly can all finish well. Howard has to be content to draw the double team, to be an impassable barrier on defense and to finish the easy looks, rising strong like Thor's very hammer to come slamming down the hoop over his opponent's battered remains. I think Howard will be willing. He knows the LA b**** media is just waiting for an opportunity to tear into him. They'd love nothing more than to be able to call him a chemistry destroyer and a selfish statwhore. He's going to be determined to prove everybody who has doubted him wrong and show that he IS a team player. Who is number one? A lot of people complain about Westbrook's chucking and how it costs Durant touches, but look what happened to OKC once Russel went down? The one thing we cannot afford is a divide between our superstars and some fake debate about who should be number one. There should be no number one option or number two option. There should be the team. Move the ball, find the open guy, score the basketball and WIN. I believe the Rockets can do it and if Howard and Harden both play like they can and with the mentality of champions then there is no stopping this team. And really that is big question mark. Do these two guys have a championship mentality? Are they leaders of men?
Okay, I'm a moron, looks like I might be able to start this thread in the GARM after all. Gah! Mods please take appropriate action!
