OKC Thunder vs. Houston Rockets, 2019-20 team preview
Westbrook and Harden – the negative take:
If you examine the critics of this pairing most of it falls on Westbrook in terms of his poor 3-point shooting. He is noted as the worst 3-point volume shooter (currently) in history (30.8 percent). Meanwhile, the Rockets offense is predicated on copious 3-point shots and buckets at the rim. D’Antoni and Morey abhor long 2-point shots but the issue is that might be Russ best shot.
Usage will be another hot topic given Westbrook and Harden own three of the highest usage rates of the top five in NBA history. Granted, both times Russ recorded top usage seasons it was in a year when Durant got injured (2014-15, 38.5 percent) and the year after Durant bolted (2016-17, 41.7 percent). Both situations are understandable especially the latter since every time he sat the OKC Thunder routinely gave up double-digit leads.
In Harden’s case, the situation is a little more suspect especially since Chris Paul is a dynamic playmaker so his 40.5 percent usage last season kind of begs the question of why he wasn’t willing to let CP3 be more of a playmaker.
If this experiment fails the initial takes will likely put the onus all on Westbrook (don’t they always). However, let’s not forget two superstars in a row have exited Houston without much love for Harden. Dwight Howard and CP3 took all the heat for not fitting in upon their exits.
However, if three stars in a row fail to gel with Harden surely James has to take some heat. Especially if he’s the main person still registering higher usage and is the main ballhandler. The narrative could quickly change to Harden, the perennial MVP who is unable to give other stars an opportunity to excel beside him.
D’Antoni’s contract situation:
If the Rockets stall at all in transitioning Westbrook into the mix or if there are any lengthy struggles how will those moments affect Mike D’Antoni? Based on the majority of his coaching staff being released it sure seems unlikely he was consulted about the exchange of Paul for Westbrook.
Moreover, D’Antoni isn’t shy about stating his mind and has quit teams not once but twice when things didn’t go according to his plan. With owner Tilman Fertitta making crazy statements it also seems likely if the Rockets don’t reach the Finals the easy scapegoat with be D’Antoni.
It’s a curiosity that might have an effect on the team if D’Antoni starts to get annoyed by the situation. It might not factor during the season, but if Mike D gets ticked off enough don’t be surprised if he bolts this offseason for a team with youngsters ready to take a leap. Although the Suns have a new coach (Monty Williams) I’ve always wondered what a return to Phoenix would mean for D’Antoni. Perhaps we’ll get a chance to witness that in the coming seasons.