Restless Rockets

The Rockets were absolutely steam-rolled by a Kawhi Leonard-less Spurs team last night. To lose in the manner the Rockets did, by almost 40, on their home-court in the most important game of the season is inexplicable, and quite frankly, a shame. James Harden essentially no showed, and as Stephen A. Smith said shortly after the game, "There needs to be an investigation.....that was not James Harden."

I wouldn't take it that far, but a minor investigation might be necessary. Not regarding what took place during the game last night, but rather over the course of the entire season leading up to last night. Specifically, I am talking about what has been of much discussion amongst the NBA media: Rest. James Harden played in 81 regular season games this year, in a season in which the Rockets had a firm grasp on the third seed out West since what seemed like the All-Star Break. What was Mike D'Antoni thinking? Harden, far and away, logged more minutes this season than any other player remaining in the playoffs (nearly 200 more than LeBron). This is not to mention last season in which he played all 82 regular-season games, and the year before that 81. LeBron, Coach Pop, and the Warriors all caught flack for "resting" during the regular season, but hasn't it seemed to pay major dividends? They're all still playing. Perhaps, Harden should have been resting down the stretch in preparation for a playoff push, rather than trying to keep pace with Russell Westbrook in pursuit of the MVP trophy.

I am not going to go so far as to say James Harden was point-shaving as I have heard many say, or that he was "drugged", as Stephen A. Smith insinuated. I am merely saying that, looking back on it, he should have rested more throughout the regular season. It appeared as though last night he simply ran out of gas.