![]() Then there is Paul’s fit within D’Antoni’s pace-and-space system. Durant felt like he was created to play alongside Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green Wade and James, despite their close friendship, had to learn how to share the ball in order to make their partnership work.Īnd Paul, famously one of the most hard-driving players in the league when it comes to getting on his teammates, will no doubt be the first one to bark at Harden if he doesn’t play at a much higher level defensively than in the past. This feels much more like Dwyane Wade and LeBron James teaming up with the Miami Heat in 2010 than Kevin Durant joining the Golden State Warriors last summer. That doesn’t mean there won’t be growing pains. By opting into his deal for next season and facilitating this trade, Paul made it clear he wanted to play for the Rockets - and, specifically, wanted to play with Harden. In turn, Paul could have entered the free agent market and talk to multiple teams when he became a free agent on July 1, perhaps joining the San Antonio Spurs, who could use a point guard. Harden, who finished as a runner-up for the NBA’s MVP award for the second time in three seasons, campaigned for Paul to join him in Houston. But that ignores the fact both Paul and Harden have clearly chosen this as the best path forward for each of them. ![]() Both pound the ball into the ground - Harden ranked first in time of possession and Paul seventh, per SportVU tracking data - and are used to having complete control of their teams. On the surface, Paul and Harden are an awkward fit. It also means something else: the Rockets aren’t done chasing talent this summer. The move will pair Paul with James Harden to form one of the most lethal partnerships in the NBA.īut in making the move, Morey is pushing his game plan to the limit, as the fit between Paul and Harden, between Paul and Rockets Coach Mike D’Antoni, will be fascinating to watch. There’s little doubt the trade Morey pulled off Wednesday - moving guards Patrick Beverley and Lou Williams, forwards Sam Dekker and Montrezl Harrell, a protected 2018 first-round pick and some still-being-collected non-guaranteed salaries, to the Los Angeles Clippers for superstar point guard Chris Paul as sources confirmed to the Washington Post - is a coup for Morey and the Rockets. The Rockets have plenty of figuring out to do. HOUSTON-Throughout Daryl Morey’s tenure as general manager of the Houston Rockets, he’s abided by a clear, simple game plan: collect talent, and figure out the rest.
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