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After months of speculation about James Harden’s desire to be traded, back-to-back losses at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers this week seem to have finally led to that. Houston traded Harden to the Brooklyn Nets yesterday for Caris LeVert and 3 unprotected first-round picks. Tensions had been brewing for a while, finally coming to a head when Harden threw the organization under the bus to reporters after the second loss to Los Angeles:
James Harden asked if he was surprised that #Rocket didn’t make a career: “We’re just not good enough… Chemistry, talent, everything. It’s clear … I love this city, I literally did everything I could … it’s crazy. It’s something I don’t think can be fixed. ” pic.twitter.com/1bbfrytyUj
– Mark Berman (@ MarkBermanFox26) January 13, 2021
This completely collides with where San Antonio is located. With a 6-5 record on the year and after a 4-1 trip that included wins against 3 playoff teams from last season, the youth movement combined with the team’s senior. Statesmen are finally beginning to show signs of harmony. They may not win the championship this year (the jury is still out!), But the foundation is clearly there for their future to be as bright as their past has been.
Tonight’s game is the first of two meetings with Houston this week, both from within the confines of the AT&T Center. While the talking points leading up to these games will largely focus on Harden and the drama in Houston, the Spurs cannot afford not to take advantage of a team that appears to be in complete disarray from top to bottom in their quest to achieve it. back to the postseason.
Houston Rockets (3-6) vs. TOn Antonio Spurs (5-5)
January 12, 2021 | 7:00 pm CT
See: FSSW | Listen: WOAI (1200 AM)
Spurs injuries: Quinndary Weatherspoon (Away – Knee), Derrick White (Away – Toe), Drew Eubanks (Away – COVID Protocol), DeMar DeRozan (questionable)
Rocket injuries: Brodic Thomas (OUT), Danuel House Jr. (OUT), Chris Clemons (OUT)
What are the Rockets without James Harden and what can the Spurs get out of this game?
Since being traded to Houston prior to the start of the 2012-2013 season, the Rockets have played just 34 games without Harden. He’s built his entire reputation as the canny scorer who dominates the ball in Houston, in a sense setting the tone for the entire organization. Everything there, from the front office moves to the style of play, has been focused on Harden. He is your identity.
What are they now, and more importantly, what is their identity on the court? A look at the list reveals a closer look at why Harden wanted out in the first place. DeMarcus Cousins and John Wall are the two biggest names on the list besides Harden, and both have suffered debilitating career injuries that have taken away what they once were. Eric Gordon is still there and PJ Tucker is still there, but other than that, the list is pretty sterile.
Houston’s current identity crisis, especially in the first game, should make the Spurs at least a little suspicious of them. There is always the chance that, with the chips on their shoulders, the remaining members of the Rockets will come out ready to prove a point and have their best game of the season thus far. One of Popovich’s big quotes talks about having a “proper fear” of the opponent and that’s a lesson the Spurs could very well take with them tonight.
Lonnie Walker needs to keep it up
With DeMar DeRozan missing the last two games for personal reasons, Lonnie Walker IV seemed to take it upon himself to fill the void. He scored 25 points in Game 2 against the Timberwolves before being forced to retire early due to leg cramps, but came back the following night with 24 more to lead San Antonio over the Thunder in the final game of a road trip from 5 sets. . In both games, Walker played with the confidence and aggression that fans have always clamored to see since the young guard was drafted a few summers ago and especially after what many thought would be his breakout game against the same organization of Los Angeles. Rockets last season
Did Walker’s box jump stat score last two nights? Your free throw attempts. Averaging just one free throw attempt per game on the season, Walker found his way to the line 13 times in the last two games (6 and 7 attempts, respectfully). The willingness to force action with intelligence and the desire to reach out to paint for a variety of finishes that highlighted the young man’s natural athleticism was shown.
Walker has all the talent and tools to be a serious problem with the ball for opposing teams every night, he just needs to flex it a bit more even alongside other dominant scoring threats down the road. Who knows, maybe that 2-game streak was his TRUE coming out party.
For a Rockets fan perspective, visit The Dream Shake.
PtR’s Gamethread will be available tonight for those who want to chat during the game. You can also follow the action through PtR Twitter feed.
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