Houston Rockets: 5 Keys To Saving The Season

Jan 4, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jason Terry (31) reacts after drawing a foul in the final second of the game against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Houston Rockets defeated the Utah Jazz 93-91. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /

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Dec 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts after making a three point basket against the Golden State Warriors in the second half at Toyota Center. The Warriors won 114 to 110. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

More From James Harden

Make no mistake, without James Harden the Rockets would be a bottom-five or bottom-10 team in the NBA. Harden is averaging career high and near-career high numbers in almost every category, scoring 28.3 points and adding six rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, all while shooting .420/.337/.868.

He’s second in the NBA in scoring and leads the league in minutes per game with an average of 37.8, but the Rockets need more from the Beard. Not just from a production standpoint, because we can clearly see that almost nobody produces more than he does, but from a leadership standpoint.

The Rockets are a team that is generally considered to be devoid of leadership, with Harden being more of a quiet, lead-by-example guy. That works in the right locker room, with the right roster, but the Rockets are in need of a conscience, a guy who will keep the rest of the room in line.

With the kind of effort that the Rockets routinely produce, it’s clear to see that they have no such person keeping the rest of the roster accountable. It might run counter to Harden’s personality, but with the absence of such a player in the lineup at this point, it falls to James Harden to step up and deliver in this category as well.

Next: Defense

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