3 Crucial lessons the current front office must learn from James Harden Rockets

2. Fit matters 

Let's review the downfall of the Harden Rockets. 

In 2017, they had the formula. The Rockets were arguably the best team in the NBA. Paul, Harden, Trevor Ariza, P.J. Tucker, and Clint Capela were the best lineup in basketball. 

Everything made sense. Pair two of the best pick-and-roll guards in the NBA with an elite lob threat. Make sure everyone besides your best offensive player is a stalwart defender. The Rockets were a well-oiled machine. 

Seemingly, the interpersonal relationship between Harden and Paul deteriorated. That's unfortunate, but it happens. Replacing him was sensible - but replacing him with Westbrook was not. 

Westbrook and Capela couldn't find the same chemistry as a pair of non-shooters. In Mike D'Antoni's three-point heavy system, the fit wasn't tenable. So, the Rockets moved Capela for Robert Covington. What could go wrong with 6'5" Tucker manning the middle? 

Besides everything? 

The lesson here is that fit matters. The Rockets had perfect cohesion between Harden, Morey and D'Antoni. They sacrificed everything they'd built simply to pair two recent MVP candidates in the backcourt, and it didn't work. 

They gave up a lot of assets in the process...