Rockets: Broussard says James Harden’s numbers inflated under D’Antoni

Journalist Chris Broussard (Photo by Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)
Journalist Chris Broussard (Photo by Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)
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Houston Rockets
James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets speaks with head coach Mike D’Antoni (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Why Broussard is wrong about Rockets’ James Harden

For starters, it’s quite comical to compare James Harden to Jeremy Lin, Chris Duhon, and Ray Felton, as Harden has already cemented himself as one of the greatest players in league history at his position, without even having a title on his resume. It shouldn’t have to be said that Lin, Duhon, and Felton shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence a Harden, but here we are.

Broussard says Rockets GM Daryl Morey has gone too far in his Harden’s praise, but Morey has been known to use advanced analytics to state facts. So what exactly does he take “too far” in lauding Harden as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history?

Broussard also says Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni’s offensive approach won’t win a championship, which conveniently forgets the fact that the Rockets were well on their way up until Chris Paul suffered an injured hamstring in 2018 (which is still painful to type). D’Antoni has developed a reputation over the years of being an offensive genius and having an innovative mind, and rightfully so.

But as it pertains to D’Antoni’s tenure with the Houston Rockets, his results have also been “somewhat boosted” by the presence of James Harden, which is a point that Broussard seems to be missing entirely.

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