34 points in the second half... the guy is on an absolute tear. It is a shame that he came into this season out of shape, and needed 2+ months to get back to this level. Then again, seeing as how he's looked fatigued/out of gas the last two playoffs, perhaps he has something left in the tank for this go-round. But its never been more obvious that he's the absolute difference between this year and last year... when his motor is running at full steam, this team is a 50+ win team. When its not, or its inconsistent, they're a .500 team.
i mean...most teams win when one player scores 35 in the second half. You can't expect him to score 46 points every night..that's unreal. The difference between this year and last is last year the rest of the team played better. We got better contributions. We're getting absolutely nothing at PF...Ariza hasn't been as good...and our PG is not an above-average point guard. Meanwhile, our bench hasn't helped. We need to get the mix around Harden right. It took nearly 10 years for the Rockets to get the right mix around Dream.
HOWARD ALSO MURDERED THE TRAILBLAZERS! ok so I put that in all caps just to re-emphasize how important and relevant Howard still is. He has gotten so much hate in the media, nationally, and ESPECIALLY here on the boards. Harden was amazing...I'm not trying to detract from that. I am though trying to get everyone to acknowledge the superstar game Howard had as well. Cause you know what? Who else is talking about it? Find me where someone is giving props to Howard's superstar performance last night and I will say kudos to that person or those persons. Made 8 shots on 10 attempts for 19 points 13 boards 3 blocks 2 steals 2 assists Yes he was 3 for 12 at the freethrow line, but you can't deliver a lockdown 4th quarter with only allowing the opponent to score 12 points without Dwight Howard protecting the rim and controlling the glass. So great game James, Rockets as a team, and great game Dwight. If we get a 20-14-3block Dwight to go along with an awoken Harden for the rest of the season, then we CAN make the playoffs. And yes making the playoffs is better than not making the playoffs. I want guys like Harrell, Capella, all our guys to get more and more playoff experience.
Totally agree... but that's how this team is built right now, and that's why they're not as good this year as they were last year (Harden was playing at THIS level from day one last year). It also took nearly 10 years for Hakeem to calm his inner demons, dedicate himself to the game and to fully trust his teammates/coaches. Role players are just that.... some nights they bring it, some nights they won't... but you need your stars to bring it every single night. That's why they're stars. Harden was out of shape, he really doesn't set much of an example off the court, and him being on fixes a lot of issues that this team has faced. In the end, they have to commit to finding shooters and length (for defensive purposes). Harden is going to command the ball regardless of who the PG is... so not as concerned there. Obviously they need consistency/rebounding at the PF position (something they haven't had since Barkley?).
With on these 2 points entirely. You gotta get better than we're getting if you want to win. Have to. With you on these points too.
LOL, so basiclaly, when Harden can score 40+ or notch a triple double, the ROckets have a chance to beat anybody, when they can't they are screwed. Therefore, the problem = Harden doesn't try hard enough
people that think harden needs to score 40+ in order for this team to win is definitely not the case. It's actually when this team plays defense where the difference comes in. Any time they decide to step it up on the defensive end, they will have a chance to win no matter what is being done offensively.
He played great and nobody could stop him. Also have to give houstons defense credit. The entire 4th Portland couldn't even get a shot off. They got so frustrated it looked like they couldn't run any plays because they couldn't get any separation from houstons defense.
Basically... that's how they're built. The Rocket also don't win 2 championships if Hakeem doesn't play at an MVP (sometimes god-level) from 1993-1995. Especially in 1993-94. Do you think Harden was playing up to last year's and now current level to start the season? Again, of course they need more talent elsewhere... but unless you're trying to form a super-team of stars, you're still going to go only as far as Harden can take you. Role players, even more talented ones, are going to be inconsistent.
That includes Harden playing defense... which he has done a better job of over the last month+, which coincides with him being in shape and having the stamina to play both ends of the court. He didn't have that to start the season.
I get that role players will be inconsistent...but these guys have been consistently bad....not inconsistent. You're getting below average play out of at least 2 of your 5 starters...and borderline play from another....with almost no bench help. You watch games where, at halftime, only 3 guys have scored at all. That's insane.
No but he has been much better starting in January, basically flat out destroying it since the infamous LA Clippers post-OT Strip Club O visit - and the Rockets still suck. The slow start sucked but at the end of the season he's still going to end up with one of the best individual seasons in Rockets history turned in by people not named Olajuwon or Malone (or Harden) - it's pretty ridiculous.
Last year they were better, this year they aren't... its still inconsistency. They could honestly win more games by selling-out all their energy on defense... the offensive efficiency has actually been right at the level they were at last year, but they're clearly not wired that way. In the end, elite teams have the ability to play max effort on defense, and still have enough in the tank to execute offensively. So if that means getting better/stronger/faster players, so be it... but I do think this team would get more wins (and they have gotten more wins) by committing to defense and getting what they can on offense.
Offensively, sure... but he's only really ramped it up on the defensive end as of late. Its a stamina issue... when he's got it, he plays better defense with his offense not suffering as much.
BEARD the FEAR! Impressive win by Harden and the Rox. Glad to see there is still some fight left in this team.
