[ESPN/MacMahon] 'There's too much damn turmoil': An unsettling vibe surrounds these Rockets

it is sad that Paul was an iso-beast in 2018 and is iso-beat in 2019. (and 20-21-22)

 

This. I might look like a Harden apologist to some on here but I wouldn't mind having a coach who applies more discipline to this team, specifically James. We need someone that holds Harden accountable for bad habits that still exists. Nothing wrong with that. It should help make Harden even better than he is right now.

 

My new sig JR. Straight facts.

 

Wait what? Is the writer just throwing out nonsense or was Harden being shopped?

 

A lot of the Rockets’ problems seem to be caused by the fact that Chris Paul is no longer as good at basketball as he thinks he is

 

What an absolute mess.

 

James gets the blame as the best player , but the idea that he won't play off-ball is ridiculous

We couldn't use him effectively off ball because we spent the entire season practicing with the ball in his hands .

Whats more likely ?
1) we work on sets where harden is off ball all the time in practice so we can bust them out when necessary

2) no one has any idea what to do when James or Chris isn't iso'ing and guys can just stay in their spot and wait for a pass

The whole team stays put off ball . It's the entire system .

I've said this many times . James CAN and WILL play off-ball , he just has to be asked .

 

I SAID there was gonna be fireworks, and you boys just laughed
-tad brown

 

the funniest thing about it is the same people will tell you that James Harden is a winner lol. Put healthy 04-05 McGrady into last years Rockets with CP Ariza Tucker and Capela with EG off the bench and just watch how this loser performs on BOTH ends

 

Sounds like CP3 did ask

 

I dunno dude. His demeanor off the ball such as slow walking up the court or staying near the half court line for an entire possesions suggests he does it out of conserving stamina rather than being asked to play that way by the coach.

 

Great article. Really touches base on lots of the franchises issues.

Some interesting tidbits:

1. Bzdelik leaving last year because he didn't feel respected;

2. Harden ignoring Cp3's coaching and asking for more ball movement. The fact Pauls enjoys playing without Harden could corroborate the rumors he wants out;

3. Flat out stating House looked horrible in the playoffs;

4. Feritta getting defensive when people mention he is cheap.

In all, it's going to be a big challenge to get things right this offseason. Tension is there, hope they work it out because our window is quickly closing.

 

Well maybe the coach had to ask .

If CP3 asks James in the heat of the game to start playing off ball and James asks MDA "hey coach what do I do?"

MDA's response is , "either you have the ball and everyone else gets out of the way or CP3 has the ball and everyone else gets out of the way while y'all make plays."

Hard to play an active off-ball when your play is "give the ball to playmaker and let them create"

I just think the idea that James is such a little child that he pouts when things don't go his way is laughable .

If anyone wants an example of harden growing his game and doing the dirty work just look at his defensive improvement . Harden is not the problem

 

Could tell this was going to blow up when Chris Paul was waving off Harden in the playoffs.

 

I have no doubt in my mind that Chris Paul is/can be super annoying, and i can understand James being annoyed when a player that has less career results than him gets in his face or calls him out, but this is where he needs to grow, accept the challenge and use this situation to get even better, do not turn your back and let this end like with Dwight (who was a lost cause btw).

 

Maybe had CP3 been able to score / create in isolation this year , waving James off wouldn't be a big deal . But CP3 was turning the ball over left and right and wasn't able to score either (first 5 games)

He didn't show up in the first half of game 6 either .

 

It was the first time he'd done it all season, and it never went well. It was so weird to watch, and showed that the pairing's chemistry was not gonna be there for much longer.

 

So seems like Curry was right all along during all star break when that video leaked about James Harden style of play and teammates not liking it...

 

I think it's the opposite: CP3 definitely knows where his status is as a player (lightly washed) so he tried to conscript Harden, who is already the whole team, to help out even more to make up for what he lacked in ability. Harden, to my dismay, seems to be an "I shouldn't have to do that too" player and wasn't having any of CP3's on court coaching.

This is not a great trait form your best player. And pretty surprising form a player in Harden who loves to play basketball and never wants to sit out.