Rocket fans dreaming of championships need to know that one player holds the key. The Beard either makes him stick out or is what he may be hiding behind at this point in his playoff career. When will the Rockets best player show up in the playoffs?
This isn’t one series for Harden. This is now a pattern. In the NBA Finals 2 years ago, Harden shot 18-48 over 5 games and scored in single digits in 3 of the 5 games. Last year against Oklahoma City, Harden shot 39% from the field & 34% from three… and the numbers continue to get worse.
In 5 games this year, Harden is shooting 34.7% from the field & 25% from 3 point range. If you don’t believe the numbers, watch Harden play. He looks unsure of himself. You can sense he is afraid to drive because he won’t get those cheap fouls in the hard, fast & physical playoff style basketball.
You don’t win championships when your best player disappears. You don’t win series either.
Championship caliber superstars help teams in other ways when they aren’t scoring. What does Harden he when he’s not scoring? His defense is… well… you guys know. One youtube search & you find the video tributes to Harden’s poor defense.
While he has the quickness to get around virtually any player in the NBA, he won’t use those same quick feet to stay in front of his man.
He uses his size to overpower just about anybody at his position, on the block or driving to the rim. But watch him when the ball goes towards the rim. Is he blocking his guy out with that size & lower body strength? Or does he launch himself into the fray like he does when it means 2 points for him?
He has the ball in his hands consistently & the ability to draw double teams. Why isn’t he finding open players for easy baskets? We witnessed these double digit assist stretches during the regular season. Where is that James Harden when the lights are the brightest?
You can talk about Kevin McHale or Jeremy Lin or a lack of bench or any number of excuses. We can go round and round on what the Rockets need more of or less of. Nothing matters until James Harden shows up in the playoffs.
But keep this in mind, showing up in the playoffs also means doing the little things. It means helping the team when nobody is looking, when there isn’t a sexy stat involved, when the ball is not in your hands & you must make all those things an every day habit. No coach can you teach you that. It comes from the heart & it’s exactly what makes up the Heart of a Champion.
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