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Warning: Don’t Drink The Houston Rockets Kool-Aid

By Louis Roesch

Apr 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) drives to the basket next to Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the third quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) drives to the basket next to Houston Rockets center Clint Capela (15) in the third quarter in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Rockets 115-106. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Warning: Drinking the Houston Rockets Kool-Aid could be dangerous to your health in the 2016-2017 season.

Each season brings with it its own dreams, expectations and subsequent pitfalls. This year for the is no exception even for an organization like the Rockets celebrating 50 years of NBA basketball.

It was interesting to hear James Harden speak as if he had turned over a new leaf again. Harden, the floor leader since his arrival from Oklahoma City, can do just about anything on the offensive side of the court.

It’s the defensive side where he is questionable. It’s not that James Harden cannot be an above average defender, it’s that he is only interested in scoring which is what makes him so in love with new head coach Mike D’Antoni, who just might be the one person who cares less about defense than James harden, if that’s possible.

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At the Rockets Media Day this past week, the veteran guard, whose opponents shot 2.2 percent better against him than their normal shooting percentage, said last year lacked excitement and love.

The bottom line is simple. In 2013-14 he was horrible defensively, in 2014-15 he intentionally played defense and was in the MVP talk leading to 2015-16 where he digressed.

So now he loves the game again. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid until he does it on both ends of the court night in and night out.

Gone is Dwight Howard and in is….in is….well really no one unless you think that Clint Capela is ready to be “the man.” Daryl Morey thinks he is or at least that is what he is selling this season.

"“Clint is one of the best shot blockers in the league. He’s super mobile. he runs the floor really well. Clint will generally dominate guys and the guys he can have some trouble with are the bigger, stronger guys. He’s put on very significant muscle mass which you’d expect from a guy in his early twenties with work in in the weight room. He’s put on a lot of muscle. Clint Capela is a guy we are counting on. We expect him to take a big step forward. Were gonna need him if we’re gonna win 50 plus games and get home court like we want.”"

All this for a 22 year old, third year pro who averaged 7.0 points per game last season and will need to do a whole lot more than that including staying healthy and playing more than 20 minutes a game.

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Sports Illustrated has the “Swiss Roll” listed as No.79 in the top 100 NBA players entering this season so we shall see.

A lot has been said about D’Antoni and his style of basketball and for the fans it should be exhilarating and hair pulling at the same time.

James Harden says it’s all about the preparation and this is where I take exception with him.

In a July 22, 2016 interview with NBA.com writer Lang Whitaker, the guy who thinks he is maligned for his defensive prowess said this about the defense the Houston Rockets will play;

"“You know, everybody talks about, ‘The Rockets aren’t a good defensive team.’ Well, we got one of the best defensive coaches in the league now. So it’s all about preparation. In this league it’s all about preparation, putting guys in positions where they’re successful, and good things happen.”"

It’s not about the preparation, it’s about the execution. Players can prepare day in and day out on the court. Coaches can game plan for different scenarios but in the end it comes down to players being able to execute better than the other team, just ask the Houston Texans.

They planned and they prepared for the New England Patriots and in the end they got a shellacking because they did not execute on the field or from the sidelines.

Next: The Motiejunas Conundrum

If 41-41 is good enough for you, then drink the Houston Rockets’ Kool-Aid.  If you expect more from the owner down to the players on the court then don’t take a swig of the Kool-Aid until they prove it on the court and raise a championship trophy. Talk is cheap.

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