19 replies to this topic

[John P]

All,

After the TWolves victory, NBA TV interviewed Parsons and got his take on the team's success that night and the past few games.  For at least the second if not third or fourth time Parsons has come out and said that they are winning because they are sharing the ball and making the extra pass to go from a good shot to a great one.  I think most regular watchers of basketball know that passing and moving the ball is the best way to have a great offense.  However, it also feels like there may be something going on where he is subtly trying to get the Rockets away from so much Harden dominated, iso/hero ball.  Or at least lowering the amount of Harden dominant ball handling time that hasn't worked as much in the past.

My goal is not to create an issue out of thin air and if you feel that way then please ignore this post or tell me to piss off but I just get the feeling that the team as a whole, or at least Parsons in particular is trying to correct the hero/iso ball heroics by Harden in games.

 

I got to say, despite my love of Harden, it does make a lot of sense if that is his ultimate goal.

 

 

[Mitchell Felker]

I asked the same question in the Daily today, John.  Parsons is starting to make a habit of these kinds of comments, and it mirrors the Harden/Melo narrative from yesterday.

[timetodienow1234567]

Melo might be a black hole on offense but who are his players? Offensively challenged Chandler? Shump? Or what about an even bigger black hole in JR? Sure bargs can shoot but that's about it. Felton is a scrub. Say what you want about Melos high usage but it's justified on this team.

[thejohnnygold]

I do believe this is a non-issue.  McHale has been saying this for how long now?  I can only imagine that every Rocket's player cringes at the mere thought of the word, "sticky".

 

For roughly this same stretch of time, members around here have skewered McHale for his inability to get through to the team while extolling Popovich and his ability to get the "stars" to buy in.  Well, here we are.  The guys are buying in.  They are talking the talk and walking the walk.

 

Defense is happening more and more.  Extra passes are happening.  Guys a giving more effort.  Roles are taking shape.

 

It's fine if people want to discuss whether Parsons is taking shots at Harden through the media.  I am highly dubious of this.  What makes more sense to me is he is excited about what is working and so he is talking about it when prompted.

 

It's not like he can't get James' attention any other way.  The whole team can talk to James.  Why be so immature?  A move like that would indicate a poor locker room--which from what I've seen is not the case (although, that opinion apparently varies from person to person).

 

Parsons likes doing the interviews.  Harden probably likes Parsons to do them too.  It allows James to keep to himself and it allows Parsons more media exposure which he is always hungry for as it helps his brand.

 

I don't think this team has any internal communication issues.  I don't think Parsons is trying to manipulate James Harden via the media.  I do think something has clicked for this team and they just got a little more dangerous.  The best part...we still have a whole lot of games left to get even better before playoff time.

[RudyT1995]

McHale has been saying this for how long now? 

 

Yeah.  Parsons is probably just repeating what McHale has been telling them.  I don't think it's directed at anyone in particular.

[PhillyCheese]

I agree with the others.  The coaches have been hammering the point home.  The injured players have had the time to reflect from the bench that the ball moves = better offense.  Parsons has made a concerted effort - recall those back and forth passes that sprung Lin for an open three in one of the last games.  Another example, guys run the floor when they know a ball might be coming their way, even as a trailer - note Parsons bucket with Lin on a fast break where Lin made an over the shoulder pass to a trailing Parsons.  What about guys like DMo running full court to get under a Lin pass - Lin tried something similar with Harden mabe 5 or 6 games ago and Harden stopped instead of running full bore and this resulted in a turnover.  So guys know that if they run and get open the ball will find them.  Harden knows that if he passes out early in a possession, it will likely come back to him if te team does not get a great scoring opportunity.  Even Casspi is making a pass instead of jacking up an early three.  The number of open corner threes for Beverley is not a coincidence.  All of these things that the fan sees, the players already know about.  So I agree, Parsons is just happy about the team and can't wait to talk about it rather than it being a negative comment. 

[Incubus2803]

It's not that Melo takes a lot of shots, it's that he holds the ball for entire possessions. He's an incredibly efficient player when he plays off his teammates, but rather chooses to spend entire possessions in one-on-one situations.

Edited by Incubus2803, 12 February 2014 - 01:31 AM.

[RudyT1995]

It's not that Melo takes a lot of shots, it's that he holds the ball for entire possessions. He's an incredibly efficient player when he plays off his teammates, but rather chooses to spend entire possessions in one-on-one situations.

I think it's also where on the court he holds it - behind the 3 pt line.  In Denver he did more of his work inside the arc and he would draw double teams.  But on the Knicks, he holds it out on the perimeter a lot more and defenses don't have to react to him at all.  

Edited by RudyT1995, 12 February 2014 - 02:01 AM.

[Cooper]

You don't have to be Red Auerbach to understand that ball movement and passing to assists is an easy way to score. The spurs do it Miami does it, okc Etc... Mchale knows it and the players know it they just don't always execute it lately it's gotten better and there's plenty of time before the playoffs to really figure it out.

[SadLakerFan]

Regardless, I think that Parsons needs to be careful.  I thought that his comments after the Dallas game were not well thought out, and it would be easy for Harden to get upset over them.   I don't think he intended anything, but he needs to be aware of how his words could be perceived, both by the media and by his teammates.

[feelingsupersonic]

I do believe this is a non-issue. McHale has been saying this for how long now? I can only imagine that every Rocket's player cringes at the mere thought of the word, "sticky".

For roughly this same stretch of time, members around here have skewered McHale for his inability to get through to the team while extolling Popovich and his ability to get the "stars" to buy in. Well, here we are. The guys are buying in. They are talking the talk and walking the walk.

Defense is happening more and more. Extra passes are happening. Guys a giving more effort. Roles are taking shape.

It's fine if people want to discuss whether Parsons is taking shots at Harden through the media. I am highly dubious of this. What makes more sense to me is he is excited about what is working and so he is talking about it when prompted.

It's not like he can't get James' attention any other way. The whole team can talk to James. Why be so immature? A move like that would indicate a poor locker room--which from what I've seen is not the case (although, that opinion apparently varies from person to person).

Parsons likes doing the interviews. Harden probably likes Parsons to do them too. It allows James to keep to himself and it allows Parsons more media exposure which he is always hungry for as it helps his brand.

I don't think this team has any internal communication issues. I don't think Parsons is trying to manipulate James Harden via the media. I do think something has clicked for this team and they just got a little more dangerous. The best part...we still have a whole lot of games left to get even better before playoff time.

Completely agree with you johnnygold. If Parsons wanted to get something across to Harden he might have told him when they hang out, like Superbowel weekend since they went together. Why can't we just understand it was a transition for all of them in different ways. Last year Harden had little help offensively and carried the load and now this year he has help, wouldn't there be an adjustment phase? Does something have to be wrong?

[It's Dee Way Ferrell]

Completely agree with you johnnygold. If Parsons wanted to get something across to Harden he might have told him when they hang out, like Superbowel weekend since they went together. Why can't we just understand it was a transition for all of them in different ways. Last year Harden had little help offensively and carried the load and now this year he has help, wouldn't there be an adjustment phase? Does something have to be wrong?

in facto that night may have triggered super Bowl trip. Real recognize real or he could have been trying to buy him off who knows all I can say is that whatever is happening is benefiting the teams success so keep paying the rock

[feelingsupersonic]

You very well could be right Dee Way but I guess we won't ever know. What I do know is that this Rockets team is the only contender or pseudo-contender with core pieces just put together about 50 games ago and to me the adjustment phase is ahead if schedule.

By the way, Dee Way Pharrell welcome to Red94. We are a small Rocket fan community but we are all very dedicated Rockets fans, hope you enjoy the Rockets talk.

[rocketrick]

Much ado about nothing in my opinion in regards to Parsons statement to the media.

Zach Lowe has a quite insightful article out on ESPN talking about potential trades, etc. (Trade Deadline is 9 days away and Zach expects more activity than last season's trade deadline) and he delves deeper into James Harden by making the comment that he believes a lot of the negative clatter out there this year in the media and from comment boards about Harden is emanating from unhappy OKC Thunder fans that want nothing more than to see Harden fail.

[SadLakerFan]

Completely agree with you johnnygold. If Parsons wanted to get something across to Harden he might have told him when they hang out, like Superbowel weekend since they went together. Why can't we just understand it was a transition for all of them in different ways. Last year Harden had little help offensively and carried the load and now this year he has help, wouldn't there be an adjustment phase? Does something have to be wrong?

 

I agree that there isn't necessarily anything wrong.  But, I watched my Lakers self destruct last year, and I think a lot of the damage came from statements made to the press without thinking of the consequences (remember Kobe saying Dwight needs to play through injuries and Dwight saying Kobe's not a doctor?).  But, again looking at Parsons' comments after the Dallas game, I think that they could be taken the wrong way by the media, so Chandler should probably keep a lid on it.

 

"When he's out, we have a more balanced attack," Parsons said of Harden. "We run our sets and get the best shot available. When he's not there, we don't go one-on-one as much."

[rocketrick]

I agree that there isn't necessarily anything wrong.  But, I watched my Lakers self destruct last year, and I think a lot of the damage came from statements made to the press without thinking of the consequences (remember Kobe saying Dwight needs to play through injuries and Dwight saying Kobe's not a doctor?).  But, again looking at Parsons' comments after the Dallas game, I think that they could be taken the wrong way by the media, so Chandler should probably keep a lid on it.
 
"When he's out, we have a more balanced attack," Parsons said of Harden. "We run our sets and get the best shot available. When he's not there, we don't go one-on-one as much."

I disagree. It would only be negative if Parsons says one thing in the locker room, then rushes out to the media and says the complete opposite.

That is not happening in Houston. I believe these guys really like each other and enjoy playing with and fighting for each other on the court.

It helps that the Rockets are primarily a young and hungry team looking to quickly add to their resume.

Believe me, the OKC Thunder definitely don't want to see us in the Playoffs again this season, especially with the addition of D12 and more team cohesion vs. last season.

[thejohnnygold]

Regardless, I think that Parsons needs to be careful.  I thought that his comments after the Dallas game were not well thought out, and it would be easy for Harden to get upset over them.   I don't think he intended anything, but he needs to be aware of how his words could be perceived, both by the media and by his teammates.

 

Sorry, SadLakerFan, but this would only be true if Harden/Parsons were both teenage girls tweeting their facebooks on tumblr OMG!!! 

 

I agree that there isn't necessarily anything wrong.  But, I watched my Lakers self destruct last year, and I think a lot of the damage came from statements made to the press without thinking of the consequences (remember Kobe saying Dwight needs to play through injuries and Dwight saying Kobe's not a doctor?).  But, again looking at Parsons' comments after the Dallas game, I think that they could be taken the wrong way by the media, so Chandler should probably keep a lid on it.

 

"When he's out, we have a more balanced attack," Parsons said of Harden. "We run our sets and get the best shot available. When he's not there, we don't go one-on-one as much."

 

Again, Houston is different.  In the La-la-land of Hollywood-tabloid-paparazzi-every-little-thing-is-drama this might be true.  Remember, Kobe has pissed off everyone--that's his thing.  I think he even got Phil Jackson out of his Zen-place for a little while .

 

Parsons was just answering a question and doing so with facts.  Nothing to worry about here.

[thejohnnygold]

Looks like somebody is standing up for poor James Harden:

 

James Harden: The Most Over Critiqued Player in the NBA

[Steven]

Harden the second best defense player on the Rockets

Edited by Steven, 13 February 2014 - 03:21 AM.

[timetodienow1234567]

Lol. That stat is flawed then.