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@  jorgeaam : (25 October 2015 - 06:41 PM) RIP Flip Saunders, sad day for basketball
@  YaoMan : (23 October 2015 - 04:49 PM) Zach Lowe seems to think the Rox are the biggest threat to GSW: http://grantland.com...-16-nba-season/
@  cointurtlemoose : (23 October 2015 - 04:36 PM) Hey if yall want a good podcast to listen to, find the Dunc'd On Basketball Podcast on Itunes, Rahat just did a Rockets preview with the host.
@  majik19 : (13 October 2015 - 09:09 PM) Apparently we claimed Arsalan Kazemi off waivers from the Hawks today... yet another undersized (6'7") power forward for Morey's cupboard.
@  Mario Peña : (10 October 2015 - 01:12 PM) If your part if the Red94 Fantasy Basketball League check the thread to vote for the date and time for the draft event. Thanks y'all!
@  jorgeaam : (07 October 2015 - 08:47 PM) Guys we need 1 more owner for the Red94 fantasy league, if interested please comment on the post in the fantasy basketball thread
@  slick shoes : (07 October 2015 - 06:50 PM) Kobe ranked one spot higher than Ariza? Is this based on legacy or...??
@  slick shoes : (07 October 2015 - 04:13 PM) It was hard to keep up with both the Astros and Rockets at the same time. Should be interesting on Thursday with the Texans and Astros on simultaneously.
@  Mario Peña : (07 October 2015 - 04:09 PM) It was fun to have the Rockets on last night! Right now I'm watching the Celtics versus Milan and Alessandro Gentile is impressive.
@  jorgeaam : (06 October 2015 - 07:47 PM) Well, thinking twice about it, I'd rather have him score less and have the team as a whole do better. Lawson should take a lot of his load off
@  jorgeaam : (06 October 2015 - 07:47 PM) Loving that, hope he hits 30 PPG this year
@  thejohnnygold : (06 October 2015 - 06:15 PM) Someone is feeling confident :) : LINK
@  jorgeaam : (06 October 2015 - 05:54 PM) 10 Teams done, will need 2 more
@  Mario Peña : (06 October 2015 - 02:35 PM) Alright guys, if anyone is interested in joining the Red94 fantasy basketball league we could use one more player to get us to 10 teams (or three to get us to 12 teams). Just check the thread in the Fantasy Basketball forum. Thanks!
@  thejohnnygold : (05 October 2015 - 06:23 PM) I use leaguepass here in Austin with no problems...
@  skip 2 my lou : (05 October 2015 - 03:14 PM) Hey fellas, I'm a rocket fan but I live in the heart of Dallas. Does anybody know if I buy NBA Leaguepass if it's too close to be subject to blackouts?
@  Losthief : (02 October 2015 - 02:24 AM) tks jg
@  thejohnnygold : (29 September 2015 - 05:16 AM) FYI, it was media day today. Interviews are up at NBA.com
@  slick shoes : (23 September 2015 - 06:37 PM) kind of late in the day but NBATV is broadcasting classis Rockets games all day today.
@  SadLakerFan : (16 September 2015 - 04:37 AM) Man, as a Laker fan, I'm learning how little you care about the off season when your team sucks. Anyway, a quick moment to remember Moses. Still remember watching the 81 team as a kid - losing record, NBA Finals. I would have cried w/joy if they could have beaten the Celtics.

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Revisiting Anthony, Bosh, and Harden MVP


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11 replies to this topic

#1 Red94

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    Posted 25 November 2014 - 02:10 PM

    New post: Revisiting Anthony, Bosh, and Harden MVP
    By: Rahat Huq

    From the New York Post:

    Quote:

     

    Carmelo Anthony said he has no regrets about turning down the Rockets this summer, but acknowledged he took “a long, deep look at it’’ after Dwight Howard sold him hard.

     

    As you may recall, I was strongly in favor of an Anthony acquisition this past summer, pegging him ahead of even Chris Bosh in terms of desirability.  I felt that Anthony gave the team the type of midrange scorer it would need to challenge opponents in the later rounds of the postseason, when whistles are swallowed and shooters are chased off the three point line.  Many of you contended that defense was the team's biggest woe and that adding an offense-first player like Anthony would do nothing to change that.  I responded that by the numbers, Anthony was adequate at the '4', and that, more importantly, the defense would have to change from the hiring of an assistant coach, not by personnel.  The thinking was that you can have the best players in the world, but with no set philosophy, you aren't going anywhere.  The Rockets' start to the season has led me to think back upon these previous conclusions.

     

    The question of Anthony ties in to the question of Bosh, and the greater question of responsibility for this almost miraculous turnaround in defensive proficiency.  What is triggering this day and night change?  There are a multitude of factors, from the hiring of T.R. Dunn, to the replacement of Chandler Parsons with Trevor Ariza at small forward, to renewed health on the part of Dwight Howard, to renewed focus on the part of James Harden.  Which of the aforementioned has had the most overriding effect?  While Howard has looked much better this season than last, we can rule that out because Houston has maintained its stinginess even in his absence from the lineup.

     

    The examination is critical at least as far as examinations can be for meaningless thought games.  Recall that Ariza was not just a replacement of Parsons.  He was only obtained through the cap space retained from the failed Anthony/Bosh pursuits.  So Anthony/Bosh with Ariza would not have been possible.  It was either one of those two guys and Parsons, or Ariza and what we have now.  That gets at the heart of the question: with Parsons, would the Rockets be playing like this?  Because they'd have Dunn, they'd have the current philosophy in place, but without Ariza, would they be committed to it?  As a trickle effect, would Harden be exerting as much effort when his counterpart (Parsons) also held no intent of trying on that end?

     

    I asked readers earlier in the year if they would rather have Bosh and Parsons, or Ariza and Paul Millsap, with the assumption of course being that Millsap could later be obtained via trade.  Many scoffed, but I don't know that it is as much of a no-brainer as you'd think.  The possibilities with Chris Bosh in this lineup are absolutely endless.  He spreads the floor on offense, can blitz pick and rolls defensively, protects the rim, and would even fill in as backup center.  In sum, Bosh and Howard would have been an absolute nightmare to gameplan against.  But I don't know that you can just undersell how large an impact Ariza has made.  He's basically the ideal fit at small forward next to Harden, and after watching him in the lineup, I'm more convinced than ever that we never could have won big with two matador defenders on the wings.  That's just suicide in the modern NBA that no amount of scheming can cover up.

     

    If the Rockets could somehow miraculously land Millsap, you could make the case they end out with a lineup better than they had hoped for entering the summer.  It's a long shot and its debatable.  But you have to feel pretty good that its even a possibility, considering the summer was universally deemed a disaster.

     

    A final note on James Harden: The MVP is a 3-headed race right now between Anthony Davis, James Harden, and Marc Gasol as a slightly distant third.  The only question at this point, in my opinion, is whether the Pelicans can finish high enough in the rankings for voters to feel they can justify a Davis vote.  If Davis finishes on this 25/13/3 vintage Olajuwon pace, a top-6 seed might be all it takes.  But if the Pelicans fall out completely, and Houston maintains its top-3 ranking, I think Harden takes back the award.  It took a while, but you already see the narrative slowly shifting regarding his defensive efforts this season.  Narrative is key, and Harden has that in his favor at this point in time.  The production, of course, has been there from the start of the season.


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    #2 marbony81110

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    Posted 25 November 2014 - 03:42 PM

    Unless there is more media coverage pointing out Harden's defense and not his few lapses THIS ENTIRE SEASON there is no way he wins the MVP even if the Rockets have a top-3 seed. There are too many media darlings out there: Curry, Lebron, KD, and as you mentioned Anthony Davis. I see Curry or Davis as a locks to win the MVP as long as the Pelicans make the playoffs or Golden State has a top 3-4 seed. It will be next to impossible for Harden to take it from them unless the Rockets have a dominant season (60+wins and great point differential).

    He will definitely be deserving of it is he continues to play like this, but the odds are against him.


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    #3 Sir Thursday

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    Posted 25 November 2014 - 04:00 PM

    I don't think the public perception is changing yet. Despite Harden's awesome performance, the main thing I've been able to find in the media coverage of the game is his statue impression on one transition play. This is reputation inertia in action and it's not going to go away without a fight.

     

    If we really want Harden to stand a chance in the MVP race this season, then what we need is a highlight reel that shows all of the excellent defensive plays Harden has made this year, and for that video to go as viral as his 'bad defence' one did. Any volunteers to make one?

     

    ST


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    #4 thejohnnygold

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    Posted 25 November 2014 - 04:57 PM

    I don't think the public perception is changing yet. Despite Harden's awesome performance, the main thing I've been able to find in the media coverage of the game is his statue impression on one transition play. This is reputation inertia in action and it's not going to go away without a fight.

     

    If we really want Harden to stand a chance in the MVP race this season, then what we need is a highlight reel that shows all of the excellent defensive plays Harden has made this year, and for that video to go as viral as his 'bad defence' one did. Any volunteers to make one?

     

    ST

     

    "Not it" on making a video, but I hope whoever does includes the play last night where Harden stripped Shumpert in the corner, then put his body between Shump and the ball, and went full Barkley on him using his butt to literally knock him off his feet and out of bounds.  It might have been my favorite play of the year so far.  (Go to the 1:15 mark to see it)

     

     

    As for this:

     

     

    But you have to feel pretty good that its even a possibility, considering the summer was universally deemed a disaster.

     

    I was never a part of this universe.  ;)


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    #5 isaacjunk

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      Posted 25 November 2014 - 08:41 PM

      Good point about Parsons' lackadaisacal defense probably affecting Harden's commitment as well.  As any of you who've played pickup ball know, nothing kills defensive morale like the one guy who doesn't give a crap about d.    Personally I think the internet meme of Harden being a sieve was a godsend ( remember the pic of Harden dressed as the Cowboys' defensive coordinator? )   From the clips last year I find it hard to imagine that the schemes were so harebrained at the NBA level---possible I suppose but truly hard to fathom.   Thus it leads me to think it was more a matter of intent/effort than scheme...

       

      Actually you could easily do lineup analysis to quanity Ariza's impact over Parsons last year, which could be very revealing.  I would suspect that the D has gotten better pretty much across the board, which could point to scheme, but I would also interpret as a new culture of effort that starts from the top.  


      Edited by isaacjunk, 25 November 2014 - 08:46 PM.

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      #6 Steven

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        Posted 25 November 2014 - 08:49 PM

        Harden's effort on defense had nothing to do with commitment and everything to do with an injury. I was watching First Fake one morning during the Team USA stuff, and Stephen A. Smith said that Harden told him that he was injured and could not fully commit to both ends of the floor. The break before team USA helped him get to 100% and that is where his defense made its first appearance since the GS at the early part of last season, where he shut down Steph Curry. Then he got hurt and he couldn't close out on shots anymore.
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        #7 Willk

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          Posted 26 November 2014 - 09:19 AM

          Harden's effort on defense had nothing to do with commitment and everything to do with an injury. I was watching First Fake one morning during the Team USA stuff, and Stephen A. Smith said that Harden told him that he was injured and could not fully commit to both ends of the floor. The break before team USA helped him get to 100% and that is where his defense made its first appearance since the GS at the early part of last season, where he shut down Steph Curry. Then he got hurt and he couldn't close out on shots anymore.

          I'm glad someone in the media finally pointed out that Harden was injured. Everybody seemed to forget that in the last preseason game vs Memphisit appeared that Harden suffered a season ending knee injury. I remember Jonathan Feigen tweeting that it looked really bad & it looked like it was season ending. Harden missed zero games with that injury. People also forget that Harden suffered a major ankle injury at Sacramento last year where he had to shoot two free throws with his foot in the air because he could not put any pressure on his ankle. I got so sick of the "Harden is lazy" narrative that the lazy media reported last year.

          Edited by Willk, 26 November 2014 - 09:20 AM.

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          #8 DrPeckers

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            Posted 26 November 2014 - 02:28 PM

            Any Video outakes of Harden's Great Defense this year needs to have voiceovers from the guy who did KD's "Baddest" Commercial.
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            #9 Alituro

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              Posted 26 November 2014 - 04:14 PM

              If Harden continues to keep his name in the top 5 of defensive win shares throughout the season, and we hit the 60 win mark, it would be an abomination if he didn't win MVP, but crazier things have happened. His effort on that end this year has been inspiring and has to be infectious team-wide. Lock down D is the only way we weather the storm with 3 starters out, and he realizes that.


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              #10 txtdo1411

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              Posted 26 November 2014 - 04:43 PM

              I think the MVP race is probably a 4 way race right now. The media's love fest with Golden State has to put Curry in the conversation, especially after last night. I've never seen so many talking heads drool over a 40 point performance in my life. I haven't seen much in the media supporting Harden. It seems like his play hasn't wowed any national journalists (at least that I have seen). Who cares really? Individual accolades are worthless if you don't have any team success. We as fans, watching every game, can see the difference in Harden's game and maturity. Him being committed to defense and getting others involved has been the best off-season "acquisition" we could have hoped for. Harden is having a very last years Durant-esque season (maybe even more impressive :lol: ). Without 3 starters he is picking up his play and finding ways to win with the likes of Tarik Black, D-Mo, and Canaan starting. That is extremely impressive. I don't care how easy our schedule has been, those are still professional teams we're playing. If you sub Harden with Terry, that starting line-up is probably in the bottom 3 in the NBA. If the Rockets keep finding ways to win while we get healthy, eventually people will start to take notice. 


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              #11 NorEastern

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                Posted 26 November 2014 - 11:28 PM

                I love the almost philosophical question of "Where did Harden's defense come from". I believe there are a number of causal factors.

                 

                • The team sitting down after the play off loss to Portland saying we screwed the pooch here. How can we do better?
                • Morey and the coaching staff analyzing the situation and where things went wrong. They obviously decided a better defense would be the most effective way to do better next season.
                • The coaching staff deciding to stress defense this season. From what I have read they completely focused on defense during the preseason.
                • Getting rid of Lin and Parsons, and surrounding Harden with strong defenders. Defensive intensity is infectious, and Harden will put a like effort into defense as Bev and Ariza.
                • Being successful on the defensive side of the ball. Success can bring confidence which can breed yet more success.

                But honestly I believe that at the heart of the matter is the coaching staff. They brought in Dunn, designed an appropriate defensive system, focused the team on the defense, and then hammered it home in every practice and game. But kudos to everyone.


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                #12 Steven

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                  Posted 27 November 2014 - 04:09 AM

                  I love the almost philosophical question of "Where did Harden's defense come from". I believe there are a number of causal factors.

                  • The team sitting down after the play off loss to Portland saying we screwed the pooch here. How can we do better?
                  • Morey and the coaching staff analyzing the situation and where things went wrong. They obviously decided a better defense would be the most effective way to do better next season.
                  • The coaching staff deciding to stress defense this season. From what I have read they completely focused on defense during the preseason.
                  • Getting rid of Lin and Parsons, and surrounding Harden with strong defenders. Defensive intensity is infectious, and Harden will put a like effort into defense as Bev and Ariza.
                  • Being successful on the defensive side of the ball. Success can bring confidence which can breed yet more success.
                  But honestly I believe that at the heart of the matter is the coaching staff. They brought in Dunn, designed an appropriate defensive system, focused the team on the defense, and then hammered it home in every practice and game. But kudos to everyone.
                  Injury that was the heart of it. He is 100% healthy. Everything else are fixes at the margins, the fact his legs are under him, he is able to do both ends effectly now.
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