Houston Rockets plateau at 41 wins and 41 losses during the 2015-16 NBA season despite being a contender for the semis. The result came as a surprise for Rockets fans because they were able to reach the Western Finals a season before.
Coming in for another shot this 2016-17 NBA season, Houston Rockets will do everything not to waste their most valuable asset - James Harden. Rockets is bent to rebuild around Harden like what they have done in 2015. They fenced Harden with long-term contract and doubled his salary for $26 million to compensate his 29 points per game performance.
According to NBA, Harden is arguably the most versatile player in the league who can be effective in both the deep and off the arc. He displays his big heart in crucial moments when clutch shots are needed. Harden's best trait is the ability to play anywhere in the hard court apart from being a rim defender. So the question in the equation is how can the Rockets fully capitalize their prized asset.
What Houston Rockets can begin tweaking this 2016-17 NBA season is easing the stress on Harden, Real Sport said. Fans can easily notice that he is in for almost all the minutes of regulations. Last season, Harden posts a staggering 38-minute average game time. Other key players like point guard Ty Lawson and supposed partner Dwight Howard didn't have the opportunity to shine.
To remedy this situation newly-installed defensive coach Mike D'Antoni is up for the challenge. Rockets are to scrub the lineup for defensive prodigy while letting Harden loose on the floor.
No one can take a guess yet if the squad will opt for a running game to replicate Golden State Warriors' gun-and-run strategy but this is the only logical step for now. At least only until Rockets can add a good center to their depth that can compensate their defense.
