Whom bears more responsibility for the Rockets poor play to start the season?

Voted someone else, meaning it's everyone's fault.
First, Daryl Morey Should have of looked for another good big man Pf/C, heck even Byombo would look good right now, who can defend and rebound, because Howard has too many days off and he can't get into the rhytm. I really doubt he's still the best C in the league, not if he plays like that and sits all B2B's

Harden's shooting has been awful, he looks like Kobe now. He's hurting the team, other than that his team mates rely too much on him. We need to move the ball more or set plays for Harden not only force him to ballhog.

Lawson, has been awful, stupid TO's, bad defense, no energy. In his long career for the first time he has a chance to play for the winner and if he plays like that, then I'm speechless. He should want to win more and work more.

I know that your confidence might be a little low, but damn, what they were doing whole summer?

On the other hand, we're 4-7, not pleasing at all, but Cavs had it also rough last season right, good team's struggle too. My only guessing the mistake was made that we didn't went for another decent big guy, someone like Tristan Thompson. PG's /SG's role players are cheaper to get. Anyway, we can't wait for DMO to come back, we need to start playing right now.

 

This team is making me hate basketball again....

It's been a while since I've had this feeling. Brings me back to the Yao/McGrady days whenever hope/optimism would build before being absolutely crushed by whatever smorgasbord of injuries the basketball gods felt like dishing us.

Now, said basketball gods, are trolling us and Dwight with a rebirth of the pitiful 2012 Lakers teams. I don't get it.

 

Only Lin fanboys would blame McHale and Morey. According to Lin fanboys like you, McHale didn't give Lin the playing time he deserved and Morey brought in McHale.

 

Can I vote both Mchale and james

 

It's impossible to say. Every single person has blame. None of the players seem to care, the coaching is useless and Morey is no place to be found. I laugh at everyone singling out certain players when the entire team is utter garbage.

 

To whom brother. To whom brother.

 

Poor start of the season is too kind. It's more like bye bye season, a giant step back from last year. Let's say some trades take place and McHale is gone, would a team like that win a championship this year, the next year ... Sigh.

 

For those who point the finger at McHale, how did we overachieve last season with such a horrible coach?

 

McHale hasn't even attempted to make any strategic adjustments to the opposing coaches attempts to counter the game plan. Our guys just look lost out there with no coherent strategy . . .

That being said, Harden has not been consistent. I blame just under half of this entire season on Khloe Kardashian.

 

It's all on Harden. It starts and ends with the superstar.

That said. I blame a lot on Lawson too. He defers to Harden too much, and Harden's poor effort has rubbed off on him.

But, when we as a team are playing better with Harden on the bench than with him in the game (see today: Harden -27, team played well in Q2 with him out), it's all on him.

 

It's possible he was okay last year and got worse for whatever reason this year.

 

Both. Mchale for not having these guys ready. These guys got to comfortable. Harden for not buying in on defense and the 2 to 3 plays Mchale got from NBA 2k. Harden personality type requires a more assertive coach to be on his ass and not let get lackadaisical on he court. They should consider Tom Thibedeau to replace Bickerstaff as assistant coach.

 

If the Rockets hypothetically were to get a new coach and Harden kept giving no effort would the Rockets begin winning? You can't teach hussle and effort. Pretty sad we have to even have to talk about a teams all star having no effort. Idc if you want someone fired you get paid to play basketball. If what Harden wants is McHale gone he needs to sit down with Morey and Les not put the teams season in jeopardy. McHale isn't a great coach by any means but he got results last year and now out of the blue the team just sucks? I think the all star player needs to lead by example.

 

You can say whatever you want about McHale being a terrible coach (which is true), but he was just as bad last year and we were the 2 seed - because of Harden.

That Harden isn't here this season other than maybe the OKC game. It's become clear now this team sucks without Harden playing at a runner up MVP level.

 

If McHale dare to bench Harden when he play lazy basketball, we will be better than this.

 

both of them should take credit

 

A few theories:

1) Harden had an unbelievable season. How many 30, 40, and even 50 point games did the dude have last year while also racking up an impressive number of assists? Just an incredible performance.

2) The team hustled their asses off. Even though we were relying on the likes of Cisco, Black, Dorsey, and Johnson early in the season, those guys busted their humps despite a lack of talent.

3) Other players stepped up. D-Mo had a great season and when he went out with an injury, Smith(and occasionally T-Jones) was there to pick up the slack. Ariza started off red hot and picked it up later in the season. When he struggled in the middle of the year, Brewer provided a lift at the 3 spot off the bench.

4) McHale was far more engaged. The team's defense was solid from opening night. He was willing to hold his players accountable for lazy basketball(remember when he benched the entire starting lineup at New Orleans after New Year's?). And he was willing to sit Harden even during crucial stretches in the playoffs(Game 2 vs Dallas and Game 6 vs the Clippers).


Fast forward to this season and I see a lack of focus or desire from the coaching staff on down to the players(not all, but some of them).

 

It's both Harden and McHale's fault.

Hate them or love them they are going to be 1a/1b when it comes to success and failures for this team.

Last year the Rockets got far from an amazing season from Harden and some good coaching all around from McHale. This season, Harden is far from what he was last season and he gets the majority of the blame here. It's also up to the coach to find ways to make his team click and function without their superstar performing well. McHale needs to find a way keep the boat afloat until Harden starts playing like he did last year but McHale hasn't done that so far.

So Harden gets most of the blame and McHale gets slightly less blame than Harden. But history has shown that their will be a change to the coaching before anything is done to a team's superstar.

 

Everybody is to blame. McHale, Harden, Howard, EVERYBODY. We had three turnovers last night off of in bounds plays AFTER A TIMEOUT. We routinely didn't get back on defense and gave up 39 fast break points. Lets break it down though.

McHale - Continues to play Corey Brewer while not playing KJ McDaniels or Marcus Thornton. He refuses to stagger Harden and Lawsons minutes. Does not hold anyone accountable for anything.

Harden - His shooting this season has been embarrassing. He has fallen back into the guy that doesn't try on defense. He doesn't take responsibility when the team is failing.

Howard - He seems to be the only one concerned right now and that should be a huge red flag. However, he is also out of shape and should call for breaks earlier until he's back to game shape. Also, he needs to stop posting up. Just stop Dwight, its over.

Lawson - I don't want to say he's a bust but he's making it really difficult. He should ask to come off the bench the same way Josh Smith did. He should also try to play just a little bit of defense. Anything at this point would be an improvement.

Jones - Learn to be a team player. We don't want to see you driving from the perimeter and attempting some ridiculous spin move. We want you setting screens, moving without the ball, cutting to the basket for back door layups, put back dunks and the occasional corner 3. Also stop stealing rebounds.

Ariza - Keep doing what you're doing man. It's gotta be tough trying to plug all these defensive holes. Keep hitting threes and try to resist those 2 step pull ups. Don't be afraid to call people out. Be a leader.

Brewer - Just stop playing. We don't need you. I was a proponent of yours to start the season but you have apparently fallen off a cliff. I'm sorry, it was fun while it lasted.