Fansided

5 reasons why the Houston Rockets should not hire Mike D’Antoni

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 76ers defeated the Suns 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Philadelphia 76ers associate head coach Mike D'Antoni prior to the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The 76ers defeated the Suns 111-104. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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James Harden, Houston Rockets
Mar 31, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Chicago Bulls at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

…And Harden does not count

Patrick Beverley does not quite act like a normal point guard right now anyway though. His usage rate is a lowly 15.3 percent. Not many possessions end with Beverley shooting or turning the ball over. The ball is not in his hands more often.

If there is a player that acts like a point guard on this Rockets team, it is their superstar James Harden. If someone were to become the point guard that D’Antoni is always looking for, it would be Harden.

His scoring exploits are well known. But Harden also averaged a career-high 7.5 assists per game. Harden certainly has the capability to be both scorer and distributor. And do it well.

If there is an excitement about D’Antoni joining the Rockets it is for the potential of this partnership.

But it is merely a paper match. It probably does not actually fit.

The Suns and D’Antoni offense is a flowing offense full of constant movement and passing. The ball has to move quickly off the pick and roll with the point guard making the right decision quickly.

How many possessions did the Rockets have where James Harden took 20 dribbles while standing in place before making his drive or hoisting a mid-range jumper? This is not the D’Antoni offense.

Harden has the driving and efficiency things down that D’Antoni’s offense calls for. But he does not quite have the pace. And the Rockets offense for the last few years devolved into standing around watching Harden dribble.

Could D’Antoni really change that for the better?

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