4 replies to this topic

[Red94]

New post: The Red94 Podcast: Episode 61
By: redninetyfour

In today's episode, Rahat and Forrest Walker look back on the team's encouraging 3-0 start to the season.

[rockets best fan]

good podcast guys. I agree the Rockets appear to be a more focused team this year. I see Rahat begrudgingly gave up some love for T-Jones  I agree Forrest..........T-Jones looks poised to take another step in his evolution. I also agree James Harden is in beast mode. I like what I have seen from him defensively thus far. unlike last year at least the effort seems to be present. Ariza overall is a better player than Parsons IMO regardless of contracts. Parsons may be a little better offensively, but Ariza brings more intangibles to the table. the Rockets have had a pretty easy schedule out of the gate, but I agree with Forrest they seem to be more focused on handling their business than last year by jumping on these teams right from the start. that's a good sign to me. I also like the fact that they have held these teams under 100 points.......very encouraging.  

[Losthief]

I'd add bosh to the narrative mvp line, if he keeps the heat in the top 3/4 in the East sans lebron with 20-25 pts and 10-12 rbs he'll get some love im sure.

[Red94]

That's a good point.  Heat are definitely a narrative.

[Sir Thursday]

I strongly disagree with your premise about Harden being in with an MVP shot this year. Reputations are not something that can be shed at a moment's notice. Like it or not, Harden is now known around the league as a bad defender, and that sort of thing sticks for a LONG time. It's why people kept saying the Spurs were boring for years after they started playing some of the most exciting basketball in the league, or why people called LeBron a choker for years despite him being nothing of the sort. The ones voting on the MVP award are not going to be the ones watching the Rockets every night. If Harden does do a good job defensively this year, they're not going to notice. He's going to continue to be considered a poor defender by the body politic until such time as he proves repeatedly and conclusively on the national stage that the tag no longer applies.

 

Following on from that, there is no way that he is going to get anywhere near the MVP conversation until he is not thought of as a bad defender any more. His reputation is tarnished and until that is repaired his suitability for the position will be a non-starter in most voter's minds.

 

ST