Houston Rockets: The Hard-en Step
By Bryson Jones
Saturday Night 9:30/8:30 central time the Houston Rockets face off against the Dallas Mavericks. The Rockets enter this game as the Western Conference’s 2nd seed and face a familiar foe in the 7th seeded Dallas Mavericks.
In most cases this bracket would be considered a wash with the number 2 seeded Rockets expected to make easy work of the Mavericks. However with the Western Conference being as good as any conference has ever been in modern history, all games in the playoffs (at least in the West’s bracket) will be considered a toss up from 2-7.
There is however a game, or a perception within itself, when it comes to a specific Rockets player. James Harden, yes the MVP candidate that everyone has heard of and the man that has by himself kept this Rockets team afloat, has been perceived as of late as having the ability, or lack thereof, to show up when the lights shine brightest, in the playoffs.
Going back to the NBA Finals back in 2012, it seems like something happened to Harden and he just stopped showing up in the playoffs. It was an interesting no-show considering he was one of the sole reasons the Oklahoma City Thunder made it that far in the first place. Harden averaged only 12.4 points per game in that series against the Miami Heat, and while he was coming off the bench, he did win Sixth Man of the Year that season and was regarded to be the X-Factor in that series.
In the 2013 playoffs his scoring numbers did increase and he also had a change of scenery. The sixth man who once came off the bench for the Thunder, now was the man in Houston. Harden averaged 26.3 points per game on 39% shooting from the field against the Thunder and pushed them to 6 games when most had it over in 4 or 5 games. It may be a bit unfair to hold this performance against Harden because most people did not think the Rockets would win that series anyway.
May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward
LaMarcus Aldridge(12) and Houston Rockets center
Dwight Howard(12) fight for a rebound during the third quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Now comes the big one, the 2014 NBA playoffs. The Rockets now with added superstar Center Dwight Howard were now looked upon seriously and were actually favored by most to win. The Rockets faced the Portland Trail Blazers and as the 4th seed (Blazers being the 5th) this was looked at as the prime opportunity for the Rockets, and mainly Harden to turn his poor playoff performance around.
But Harden struggled, averaging a measly 22 points per game on 37% shooting and at time seemed disinterested in playing. He took heat from the national media and a lot of Houston fans were not happy with his lack of defense or offense in that series.
This season Harden has seemed to turn a corner. He’s averaging 27 points per game, leading his position in assists, has four triple doubles on the season, and has his team placed in the two spot controlling their own destiny.
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With arguably one of the most talented benches the Rockets have had in years, the best shooting guard (in my opinion), and the best center (in my opinion) in the game, Harden is primed to change the perception on himself around the league and the NBA world.
The time is now, to put up or shut up, win or go home. With Chandler Parsons making his return back to the Toyota Center after a nasty offseason, Harden taking criticism of his defense, style of play and inability to show up in the playoffs, and Dwight now back from injury, all eyes are on the Rockets.
What will be the result?
Stick with us here at House of Houston for all your Rockets playoff coverage.
Next: Three Things The Rockets Must Do To Advance