James Harden prediction made by Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni ahead of Brooklyn Nets game
JAMES HARDEN is a doubt for the Houston Rockets game against the Brooklyn Nets but coach Mike D'Antoni is optimistic despite their poor start to the NBA season.
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The Rockets are currently 1-5 with Harden having missed the last two games after suffering an injury.
The 29-year-old was diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus strain to his left hamstring.
Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni believes his side will improve following the return of Harden, the current NBA MVP, to starting line-up.
“I do think when James Harden comes back and James Ennis III comes back and we have a full roster things will be better,” D’Antoni said.
You worry about the things that you can change and try not to worry about the things you can’t
D’Antoni was clear his side’s start to the NBA season was not going as planned and things have to be addressed.
“Will it be good enough? That's what you worry about,” D’Antoni said on the podcast, The Lowe Post.
“You have got to find ways to keep players on the band wagon and sometimes that is tough but this is coaching.
“Our goal, like the other 30 teams, is to win the championship and we are not even near that.
“We are just trying to figure it out.
“But you worry about the things that you can change and try not to worry about the things you can’t.”
Harden went through full practice on Thursday and is expected to make a return against Chicago on Saturday, which will be encouraging news for D’Antoni, his team-mates and the Houston fans.
But D’Antoni was clear on that Harden will not be returning on limited minutes.
"James is never limited. He wants to play," D'Antoni said.
"I have to hold him out, even tomorrow, which I think we are, he doesn't like it. He wants to play."
The Rockets are currently 14th in the Western Conference and are on a four-game losing streak.
D’Antoni understands some people may give him some slack with Harden’s absence but does concede defensive changes are needed.
But despite the problems, the two-time NBA coach of the year, was resolute in his message regarding his side’s fortunes.
“I’ve struggled before,” D’Antoni admitted.
“You have got to find ways to keep players on the band wagon.
“And sometimes that is tough, but this is coaching.”