James Harden wants to keep Rockets together, improve chemistry
James Harden has a simple request for Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey this offseason: keep the team together.
Just two days after their season was ended at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, the Houston Rockets admitted they have some work to do. Most notably, James Harden has been talking about the future of the organization and what he would like to see happen.
After two of the worst shooting games of his career, making 3-of-16 in Game 3 and 2-of-11 in Game 5, Harden knew he would have to answer questions about his own improvement before the team’s.
It seems like many people in the media seem to forget he recorded 45 points in a Game 4 victory over the Warriors as well as 28 and 38 points in Game 1 and 2, respectively. All of those high-scoring games came with tremendous shooting, recording a field-goal percentage of at least 55 in each of those contests.
That’s all beside the point now as the Warriors won the series 4-1 and the Rockets were sent home with much on their minds.
According to Chron.com, Harden talked about what needed to happen between him and general manager Daryl Morey this offseason, including adding another playmaker.
"“That’s one of the conversations me and Daryl are going to have (and) the coaches. That’s one of the pieces to add, but that’s later conversations. We’ll be all right. We’re very confident in the group we have. This summer we have to work hard and be ready for next year.”"
Besides adding another playmaker, Harden believes that the pieces are in place to make another run next year. However, it will take a bit more gelling this time around.
"“If we get Pat (Beverley) and D-Mo (Donatas Motiejunas) back healthy, we’re a really good team, a really deep team.Jet (Jason Terry), Trevor (Ariza), Josh (Smith), Brew (Corey Brewer), this was all their first years here. We didn’t really have any chemistry. It was all going off basketball instincts, kind of going out there playing. Once we get a feel for each other, a real feel for each other, the game will be a lot easier.We’re pretty good with what we have, maybe add a piece or so. But we made it this far with a couple of our guys injured and banged up. Put those guys together and we’ll be a lot better.”"
It seems like he believes that this team has what it takes to get over that hump and that has to be exciting for the Rockets’ organization. When your superstar believes in what you have, that makes everything else easier.
Expect Houston to add a big piece in free agency this offseason to take some pressure off Harden.
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