Another season, another early playoff exit for the Houston Rockets. Despite having stars, experience, and total commitment to their system, H-Town is once again left watching the postseason play out from home.
The difference this time is that not everyone can agree on who is the most to blame.
Could it be James Harden, who has shown major trouble stepping up when his team needs him most? Is it D’Antoni, whose anti-midrange approach has left the Rockets predictable and vulnerable to inevitable cold streaks? Is it Daryl Morey, who is responsible for trading Chris Paul and Clint Capela?
How about Russell Westbrook? His playstyle has always been a huge controversy and many even call it a detriment to his team. In what one Eastern Conference coach told Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, Russ is the type of guy that makes it harder for other star teammates to succeed.
“Westbrook isn’t a good complement for anyone, in my opinion,” the coach said. “He has to be the main guy. He can’t shoot. He needs the ball. He’s not an off-ball player. Hard to play with two max guys who need the ball. Maybe it’s possible, but it seems like two good players instead of Westbrook would be better the way they play.”
It’s no secret that Russ struggled mightily this postseason: he averaged just 17.9 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on 24.2 percent shooting from three. But is he really the biggest cog in their system?
With just a single season to review, it’s hard to say for certain that the Russ/Harden duo can’t work. With a new supporting cast, a different playstyle, and perhaps some more time to adjust, their dynamic could improve.
But the Rockets certainly aren’t going to win as presently constructed, that much is a fact. Something needs to change, the question is whether or not Westbrook will be a part of that change.
