A View from Section 114
While the casual NBA fan & a few players may complain about the length of the regular season, there are instances where the benefits are obvious. From my view in Section 114, our Rockets are the best example of why 82 games were needed to project us to championship level.
How long has it been since you heard McHale use the term “sticky” when he described our lack of ball movement? Earlier in the season, we all knew he was referring to Harden’s ball handling tendencies. Now he’s our assist leader. James Harden’s growth needed all season to reach his peak just in time for the playoffs.
Harden’s abilities as a playmaker earned him a 6th Man of the Year Award & an $80 million dollar contract with the Rockets. It’s that ability that will confuse any defensive strategy opposing playoff teams construct.
If James falls into a pattern of holding the ball, defenses will trap him and force turnovers, but quick kick outs to open shooters or slashing cutters forces man defense. Judging by his recent assist totals while still being our leading scorer, it’s easy to see the Beard has figured out how he can be a catalyst for our team’s championship chase.
The other component to our championship chase is literally the centerpiece, Dwight Howard. His growth this season is a testament to patience and maturity.
We’ve all witnessed long stretches where his teammates forget how to get him the ball. Every now and then his frustration is visible but Dwight’s attitude has been the catalyst to our championship chase. His choosing to be a Rocket proved we could contend for a championship now, not years down the line.
He showed his dedication level from training camp on. He was willing to receive tutoring from Hakeem & incorporate those skills on the court. By passing out of the post, he’s punished double teams & given confidence to teammates.
Dwight Howard’s progress this season cannot be minimized by national sports talking heads because they don’t have the view from 114. They haven’t watched countless hours of on court & off court interactions between Dwight & his teammates. The talking heads don’t understand value cannot always be measured in stats. It can only be viewed in progress as our team starts the championship chase Easter Sunday at 8:30 pm.
-HST Contributor Red Rowdy Maya
4 READERS COMMENTED