Headlines about James Harden in recent weeks have been focused on trade possibilities, COVID-19 protocols, and high-profile partying, but the Rockets star insists he’s focused on the new season, writes Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Houston will be the last team to start its season tonight after Wednesday’s scheduled opener was postponed because the Rockets didn’t have the NBA minimum of eight available players.
“We got a good opportunity,” Harden said. “Starting my 12th year in this league. I’m excited for it. … To get out here playing, never want to take playing basketball for granted. So, I’m excited for tonight’s game.”
The Rockets haven’t played a game since the preseason ended nine days ago and they haven’t practiced since Tuesday because so many players are sidelined for coronavirus-related reasons. Harden acknowledges the challenge of trying to compete with half a roster.
“We’re missing three players in our rotation that play heavy minutes for our team, that are big pieces for our team,” he said. “It’s an opportunity for guys to step up and play big minutes. We’ve been training for it. We’re ready for it.”
There’s more from the Southwest Division:
- The Pelicans are just two games into their season and depth already looks like an issue, observes Christian Clark of NOLA.com. New coach Stan Van Gundy used his top seven players for 227 of the 240 minutes in Friday’s loss to Miami. “I haven’t given anybody a chance,” he admitted after the game. “That’s on me.”
- Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle is excited to have center/power forward Dwight Powell available again after he underwent Achilles tendon surgery in January, tweets Dwain Price of Mavs.com. Powell played a combined 41 minutes in Dallas’ first two games. “I just know that for a 6’10” guy that went through that situation he’s done a remarkable job with rehab and all those kinds of things,” Carlisle said. “He’s an amazing guy.”
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich told reporters tonight that guard Derrick White is making progress with rehab work and “should return soon” after having offseason toe surgery, according to Tom Orsborn of The San Antonio Express-News (Twitter link). White signed a four-year extension earlier this week.
Carlisle needs to get over the Powell obsession and bench him. Start Kleber and make Powell the last option behind WCS and Boban. Powell should only be getting spot minutes right now.
Spacing has been attrocious with him in the game and its killing Lukas effectiveness.
agree but disagree
If Powell or Kleber are our options at center we will continue to finish at the bottom of the West.
Es el principio de la temporada, hay que esperar un poco más.
I found footage of Harden on his way to the strip club… man’s looking husky link to youtu.be
…Footage of a strip club and instead you link to a video of Harden? Do you REALIZE what you’ve DONE? Lol I prefer to look at the stripper bro
And he still had 44 points and 17 assists in Portland tonight.
For people who still won’t believe how underrated the Rockets are, all they had to do was watch them lose by 2 points in OT against the Blazers (even though they were 7.5 point underdogs). And while the Rockets were missing 7 players, Portland never led by more than 6 points while Houston had double-digit leads for most of the game.
Despite missing 3 of their top players (Wall, Gordon, and Cousins) the Rockets outplayed the Blazers, who brought their A-game and barely won on the final play in OT. Just wait until they get everyone back (those 3 will be back on Thursday) and see what this team can do.
Get used to players being out.
Making long term analysis based on one game (which they still lost)? Wow, hang in there, the season is long and you dont own your first round pick this year)))
Well, well, well… Harden just proved his professionalism, to the haters, dude just had the best performance of the season so far, not even close, we really must enjoy his amazing talent while we can, geniuses like him ain’t come often enough.
A real example for the kids to follow!
He needs to shave.
#FreeTheBeard
Harden had a good gm. Best news is Woods play. Harden don’t share the ball. You think he is going to avg 40. I bet he thinks he can. Harden is never going to win a ring until he learns to share the ball. He’s never going to do it as a Rocket. Cause he’s gotten away with all he wanted there. He shot well tonight otherwise they lose easy. He also gave up 44 to CJ. And great D to on the game winner to CJ. Maybe if they learn to make stops they could make playoffs.
What you should be happy about. Is Har en bringing his value up for trade. He keeps playing well. Teams will make offers.
I placed a bet on Wood for the most improved player. He has the ability to average 20 and 10 this year.
Bad timing to say the dude with 17 dimes doesn’t share the ball. Wake me up the next time a player has 17 dimes in a game
Wood is now playing with two elite players (Haeden/wall) and two more with solid play making ability (Tucker/House) . He’s going to have a big year around the rim with easy put ins.
Rockets should feel gd about team. They need to get away from this Harden thing. This team is not good enough to win the west. Harden has two yrs on contract. After all the nonsense. You have to trade him to move on. It’s good he plays well. Cause this will keep his value up. And some team will make a move for him. Woods looked good. Remember how I wrote the Knicks scouted him. If you watched him. You could see he has the talent and potential. With what you get for Harden. You can still build a playoff team. Plus with picks. You can be in on next draft. That is loaded with potential players. I’m not a Harden guy. But Rockets best move is to move him. As soon as the right deal comes by. And get with the business of fixing the Houston Rockets. There is a future after Harden. That’s what I saw.