Gentry still wary of Harden
NEW ORLEANS — The Pelicans had one of the best nights of the season defending James Harden in the first meeting with the Rockets, holding Harden to 2-of-18 3-point shooting in one of the two games among the first nine of the season in which Harden failed to score 30 points. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry did not want to hear it.
“Don’t say that. That’s such bad luck,” Gentry said before Monday’s rematch in which Harden had 39 points in the Rockets’ 122-116 victory. “I thought we did a good job of being there to challenge it. That doesn’t mean he’s not going to make them. I just think he’s probably the most difficult matchup in the league simply because he’s a willing passer, also.
“That’s what people get lost in all of this. The guy had a 60-point game and had … double-digit assists. He is a willing passer. He finds guys for easy shots. But he is a professional scorer.”
Harden had 11 assists when he scored 61 points against the Knicks last season and is averaging 8.3 assists to go with his 37.3 points per game after Monday’s contest, which would be the most assists per game ever for anyone averaging 35 points or more (topping his 6.5 last season).
The 18 3-pointers Harden attempted against the Pelicans on Oct. 27 are a season high but not by much. He is averaging 14.4 3s per game, a number Gentry said would have shocked him a few years ago.
“I would have been amazed at that since Larry Bird shot 14 in one season,” Gentry said, exaggerating a bit about how rarely Bird took 3s. “But it’s a new game. It’s a changing game. You see what the NBA is trending toward.
“You have a bunch of the big guys that never shot 3s are all of a sudden shooting 3s. If you look at the analytics part of it, it makes sense. We’re doing what’s best for the team. Obviously, creating 3-point shots is the way to go.”
Bird’s career low for attempts in a full season was 52 in 1981-82, making 11 that season. Harden made nine on Saturday.
Harden honored for 23rd time
Rockets guard James Harden on Monday was named the Western Conference Player of the Week, the 23rd time he has taken the honor in his eight seasons with the Rockets.
Harden averaged 40.7 points, 9.3 assists and eight rebounds as the Rockets went 3-0, beating the Grizzlies, Warriors and Bulls by an average of 15.7 points per game. Harden made 22 3-pointers on 43.1 percent shooting in the three games last week.
The NBA’s leading scorer, Harden is averaging 37.3 points per game.
“I don’t think there’s any way when he’s ready to roll that you can defend him,” Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said. “He’s one of those players that 40 points is normal. He might hit a great percentage or — he’s smart, too. If he’s missing shots, he’ll try to get to the foul line. He’ll work himself into a 30- or 40-point game. He’s always going to be in that area somewhere.”
Toronto’s Pascal Siakam was the Eastern Conference player of the week, averaging 30.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4-3 assists as the Raptors went 3-0.
Defensive status ‘ongoing process’
The Rockets’ defensive improvement heading into Monday’s game was greatly aided by playing teams struggling to make shots.
But Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni said he was in no way looking forward to the greater tests to come.
“I kind of like it when they miss,” D’Antoni said. “You can always be lucky, can’t you?
“I thought we contested more. It will average out in the end. We just have to play better defense. It’s an ongoing process. The biggest thing is legs and just being aware. When you get tired, mentally, you’re not quick. You’re not reacting as well as you should. That’s what happened to us early.”
“We’re getting better. We’re getting in a little better shape. That’s probably the root of all of it. We just have to keep progressing.”