Houston Rockets Daily Rocket Science: Not Another One

Don’t worry Houston Rockets fans, this carousel season is almost over!

After their extraordinary 130-81 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, the Houston Rockets looked invincible and poised for a postseason upset.

However, they were quickly brought back to earth Wednesday, in a 122-106 loss to their nemesis Los Angeles Clippers. Houston is now 5-5 in their last ten games. As they prepare to take on the young and relentless Minnesota Timberwolves. The Rockets uphill battle for the playoffs continues tonight.

Houston Rockets news and notes from around the web

Since their 0-3 start, the Rockets have had several players-only meetings throughout the season. A day after their embarrassing loss to the Clippers. ESPN‘s Staff writer Calvin Watkins reported the Rockets held another players-only meeting, Thursday afternoon.

"Having meetings has been a common theme during this disappointing season for the Rockets (34-34) and interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said having open discussions can solve some of the problems. The Rockets have been playing well; they were winners of four of five games, including consecutive wins over playoff-bound Toronto and Boston on the road, before losing to the Clippers. “I feel sorry for the team we play tomorrow,” point guard said of the pending contest against Minnesota on Friday night. Patrick Beverley"

According to Watkins, Dwight Howard described the meeting as a productive one. Howard said it was time to clear the air on potential issues, such as hidden agendas. As well as the perceptions that players do not like each other. Interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff also added the importance of getting off to better starts in games.

Of all the issues addressed, hopefully, someone acknowledged James Harden for his horrendous defense. Once again Harden’s poor defense is a big laughing stock. According to Basketball Vine on Twitter, James Harden has just been awarded “Defensive Player of the Year.”

Defensive player of the year https://t.co/gFrxYQ6ZLm

— Basketball Vines™ (@bballvines) March 17, 2016

During my brief basketball career, I was always taught to see man and ball when on defense. Although James Harden made it to the big league, apparently he never received the same lesson. Everyone has their weakness on the court, but there is no excuse to give up a basket that easy. If Harden desires to win a championship, he cannot continue playing defense this poorly.

Speaking of Harden, since rumors of an immature mindset caused his departure from the Thunder. It seems like The Beard cannot escape the failures of 2012. The Weekside staff writer Jared Wade revisited how bad Harden was during the 2012 NBA Finals.

"A 22-year-old James Harden had a disastrous Finals in 2012. After averaging 18.5 points per game off the bench in the Western Conference finals — including a remarkable 30 points on 13 shots performance in Game 2 — he averaged just 12.4 points on 37.5% shooting during the five-game, championship-deciding series. Overall, he shot 18-for-48 (37.5%), including 7-for-22 (31.%) on 3s. The Oklahoma Thunder needed him to step up and be the super sixth man he had been all season. Instead, they got very, very little."

It is safe to say until he improve his defense and redeems himself in the Finals. James Harden will never overcome the rumors and failures that continually haunt him.

Next: Beasley's Production Since Joining Rockets

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