Adjusted attitude among fixes for slump
D’Antoni, veterans think best way to correct team’s trajectory is by rebuilding confidence
The unusual break in the Rockets’ schedule could not have come at a more opportune time. The Rockets had time to rest. They had two days to study video and hit the practice floor to repair the damage. They moved three days closer to when James Harden can return from his strained left hamstring.
The problem with having so many days since giving up 133 points to the Clippers last Friday is that the Rockets had three days to let that marinate in their minds. As often as players have said after losses that the good thing about the NBA is the next game comes so quickly, for the Rockets, it didn’t.
Because some of the problems have been traced to shaken confidence, to mistakes that have been the result of desperation or panic, amid the many corrections needed was an attitude adjustment.
“You have to play your next game with confidence,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. “We don’t have our mojo right now. We’re kind of on our heels a bit. That’s why vets are good, stay on the positive side and fix things we need to fix and not dwell on things that are not important.”
The Rockets prided themselves last season on their ability to never overreact to the highs
With a re-evaluation to come, coach Mike D’Antoni doubts guard James
Harden will return by Friday against the Nets.
Though the Rockets plan to re-evaluate the strained hamstrings of Harden and James Ennis before departing on their five-game road trip Thursday, coach Mike D’Antoni did not expect Harden to be cleared in time to play Friday in Brooklyn.
He said Harden is making good progress but that caution could lead him to miss at least one more game beyond the two previously announced, especially with Friday’s contest the first in a backto-back. The Rockets are in Chicago on Saturday.
“Progressing well,” D’Antoni said. “Just a matter of time. I don’t know what that time is, but I think they will be re-evaluated this weekend when we are on our road trip. I’m hoping in the next six days or so they might be cleared, but that’s a guess.
“I don’t think anything’s been determined, but I would say doubtful (that Harden or Ennis could play Friday) for right now. Maybe doubtful in a couple peoples’ minds. In James (Harden’s) mind probably not doubtful, but we’re going to be cautious with him, make sure we don’t mess it up.”
Harden and Ennis were out for Friday’s loss to the Clippers and will not play Tuesday against Portland.
“We only have 45, 50 points out,” D’Antoni said, exaggerating up a bit from the 35.2 Ennis and Harden have combined to average.
Centers Nene, Zhou Qi and Marquese Chriss have been out for all five games, but Zhou and Chriss returned to practice this week and are not on the injured list.
When asked what needs to change with the Rockets, Chris Paul — who missed two games with a league suspension — said, “Try to get everybody to play in the same game, first and foremost.”