Rockets Host Celtics in Battle of Rising Teams
To Beard or Not to Beard? That Truly is the Question. The Title.
Is James Harden possessed? I’ll touch on that in much more depth later in this column. But first, let’s focus on tonight’s matchup: the Boston Celtics come to Toyota Center on Thursday night, in a battle of teams rising in their respective conferences. Similar to the Rockets, the Celtics started off the season slow, but are warming up, back to their expected form as title contenders in the East. For some teams, it takes the bringing of the New Year to awaken and re-ignite each respective squad’s highest gears. Boston had been inconsistent earlier in the season, but the Celtics are coming off back-to-back wins over the Hornets and Sixers, respectively, and slowly rounding into form. Kyrie Irving put on a show in front of the Boston fans on Christmas as he led the Celtics past the Sixers with 40 points and 10 rebounds. Irving will be a handful for any Rocket designated to try and guard him. Hopefully, Austin Rivers defense from the previous game on Russell Westbrook will carry over to tonight. Houston will need it. Contrary to Westbrook, Kyrie’s been more aggressive as of late. The Rockets have bodies to throw at Uncle Drew on the defensive end, but the C’s boast one of the deepest, versatile rosters in the NBA. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and others who I haven’t mentioned are all rising talents in the league and usually find ways to contribute to the C’s success. Don’t be surprised if tonight’s clash goes down to the wire, as both teams seem to have a regained focus on their goal of winning the title. Houston as a team has brought their intensity to a higher level (led by the MVP) on the defensive end, and is focusing on the intangibles (hustle, girt, attention to detail, working together) that win basketball games, intangibles that don’t always show up in the box score. Danuel House Jr. continues to be the in-season signing of the year, filling in much of the void left by Trevor Ariza’s departure in the offseason. The Rockets will need to be at their absolute best defensively if they want to gut out a win tonight, especially if James Harden is dressed in street clothes. Clint Capela goes up against another strong big, in Al Horford. Capela can only record so many 20 rebound games. The Rockets have to crash the glass as a team. The Beard is questionable for tonight’s matchup with a left calf contusion. Houston can’t afford to wear out Harden, even though he truly is playing better than anyone in the league. I would rest him tonight for the long run, but we’ll see what approach D’Antoni and company takes when it comes to The Beard’s questionable status. One thing is certain for tomorrow: he does love to play the game. James Harden truly loves to play the game of basketball. It’s hard to keep those kind of players off the court, especially in big matchups. And anyone that loves basketball knows the history of the game and the Celtics have more titles than any team in NBA history (17). The Beard may not yet have that title of NBA Champion, but there’s another title he currently owns. Best player in the game. May sound simple, but few players ever achieve that status in their career. James Harden is questionable for the game in the first place, although I expect him to play unless the coaching staff leans on giving him a breather in perspective of the bigger picture (which I wouldn’t be opposed to). If the Beard does play, it probably won’t be his best of games (although he looks like can do anything at the moment). I want to take a moment to dive a little more in-depth as to what the Beard is actually accomplishing, instead of just focusing on his video game-like stats. The intangibles of the game’s mentality that don’t get discussed on ESPN, or even on the local media are what separates the legends from the rest fo the Hall of Fame pack. The mental aspect of the game, relating to James Harden this season, is unlike any season in his career. First of all, the guy actually loves to play basketball. You can’t say that about everyone in the league. Even some of the best. Everyone in the NBA loves money, but not every player necessarily loves to play. When you combine a true love for the game of basketball with a one-of-a-kind talent you get an athlete possessed. Someone with the utmost confidence in his own abilities combined with knowledge of other teams’ game planning. A mindset, one that borders on Jordan-esque. This mentality is key to winning championships. Don’t poke the Beard, especially this year. This season, James Harden is playing like a man possessed. Like someone grabbed the Beard’s only son from his hands and kidnapped him. And now Harden’s on a vengeance to get revenge on anyone who gets in his way. I’ve yet to see a player be able to truly contain him this season. Harden can only stop himself, by overdoing it on the hardwood. The Beard is the only one who truly knows his limits, stamina-wise. Let’s get what to Harden’s really cooking up this season. I didn’t even see this level of determination and fire coming from Harden this year. Go ahead, look at the stats, and they’re even better than ever for the Beard. But what’s even more amazing is the way he’s playing, specifically the mental aspect of the game. Which often goes un-talked about by sports reporters and the media. If you’re paying close attention and really watching Harden’s game, you can notice that he’s playing with a fire and intensity that’s truly in a different atmosphere. Compared to last season it’s a complete revelation. This year, James Harden knows he’s the best player in the league. Last season, he proved doubters wrong by finally winning a much-coveted MVP award glittered with glossy stats. Harden played with the mindset that he was the best, but deep down he knew he wasn’t the best player. This season the Beard knows it’s different. He can feel it, and it’s truly a mental aspect of game only few can relate to. One has to be logical and realistic despite the way some NBA players seem superhuman, there is only one best player in the NBA at a single time (despite all the talent). Although, everyone plays (at least the top players), with the mindset that they are the league’s best. But only one guy really knows who’s the greatest player to take the court, in any particular season. And that’s the best player, and that’s what makes him the best. Most years it’s been LeBron, before that Jordan, Duncan, Shaq, some might argue Kobe at points in his career. More recently it’s been LeBron (still) and/or (as much as I hate to admit) Kevin Durant. However, right now, that title of the NBA’s best player belongs to James Harden. He might not win the MVP award again this season. The Beard probably won’t. A lot of times the best player in the league doesn’t win MVP. Michael Jordan didn’t. MJ won 5 MVP awards but was clearly the best the league had to offer for over a decade. He honestly should have at least 8. LeBron should have more. And so should Harden. But the first time in his career, the Beard is actually playing like it, like he’s earned more respect. Maybe all the unfair scrutiny by trying to find ways to pinpoint errors in the game of a one-of-a-kind player who’s revolutionizing the way the game is played motivates Harden. Whatever he did in the offseason worked. This season, the Beard is on a mission unlike any other. The kind of missions the aforementioned went on, and won titles. I’m not saying the Rockets are going to win the Championship. The injury issues have ALWAYS stopped this team since they last won it all, back in 1995. If Harden can’t go tonight, the Rockets will obviously look like a completely different team. They can bring all the effort, but a team cannot fill the void of greatness. We’ll see if Harden is able to give-it-a-go. If Houston plays it safe, it should be clearly evident that James Harden is the MVP again this season. Greatness brings hope. The Beard’s playing at an elite level of greatness, one that few players ever get to experience. If Chris Paul can somehow STAY healthy throughout the playoffs, and if Harden keeps this title, as the single best player in the NBA, he just might bring another one to Houston with him.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Boston Celtics (20-13): Black
Houston Rockets (18-15): “Earned” Crimson Red
TV: 7 PM CT TNT, ATT Sportsnet SW