It was Game 6 in the playoffs, with the Houston Rockets against a crippled San Antonio Spurs team. The Spurs would enter the game without star guard Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard. The Rockets would be playing at home, and with MVP candidate James Harden on the floor. How could they lose?
Should we be surprised?
Harden finished the game with 10 points on 2-of-11 shooting. He did not attempt a field goal in the first 12 minutes of action. Before fouling out, he accumulated seven assists and six turnovers. Anyone who watched the game will attest that Harden's incredible disappearing act wasn't just about the stat line.
Harden seemed somehow unable to find the game interesting enough to participate. And to be fair, it wasn't something that was totally unexpected. It started in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter in Game 5, and the overtime period in the same game. Harden had four turnovers and was 1-of-6 in overtime. So, in reality he was just continuing a trend he set in the previous game.
It is a team game
To be fair it wasn't all Harden's fault. Yes, he is the focal point of the team and his meltdown in the last two games will be the glaring focal point, but there are other players and a coach who are there to provide assistance. Ryan Anderson was 0-of-6 and his defense against LaMarcus Aldridge was non-existent.
Aldridge finished the game with 34 points and 12 rebounds. Forward Eric Gordon was 2-of-9, while Center Clint Capela was 3-of-11 -- and those stats are with all shots coming within five feet of the basket. For the night the Rockets made nine two point shots, as they went 13-of-40 for 3-point territory. The team shot a season low 28.6 percent from the field.
Their point total (75) was the lowest point total for the team all season.
Basically, the Rockets got embarrassed on their home court 114-75. As for the coach's contribution, Mike D'Antoni will be heavily criticized for his seven man rotation in Game 5. It destroyed the Rockets in Game 5 and possibly hampered them in Game 6.
Did it actually? The Rockets looked listless and unaware all game, and they couldn't get their legs under them for shots, even when the opportunity was there.
James Harden's amazing disappearing act
When his team needed him, Harden was a no-show. Perhaps he can look toward John Wall and the Washington Wizards to see what qualities a true leader should exhibit when the chips are down. Harden failed to deliver when it counted. In the first half of Game 6 he had five points and five turnovers. He may have fouled out with 3:15 left in the fourth quarter, but really, he was gone way before that. Harden passed up shots, and in the biggest game of the season he appeared uninterested. Right now we are left with the impression of a man who just couldn't muster up enough energy or interest when it mattered most. Harden's amazing disappearing act in the latter stages of Game 5 and the entirety of Game 6 lost his team the series. Should Harden's MVP candidacy disappear also?
