Rockets’ life without James Harden has turned into a nightmare

It’s all-time low for the Rockets.

As James Harden shows why he was worth all those draft picks for the Nets, the Rockets have crashed with out their celebrity.

The newest embarrassment got here in a 112-96 loss on Wednesday evening in opposition to the lowly Cavaliers, which was the staff’s ninth straight defeat. Six of these 9 losses have been by double digits.

“Our protection wasn’t good and our offense was disjointed,” Rockets coach Stephen Silas stated afterward in a quick press convention. “It wasn’t superb throughout.”

Satirically, it was one other piece of that Nets-Rockets-Pacers-Cavaliers blockbuster commerce that made the distinction on this one, with Cleveland’s Jarrett Allen going for 26 factors, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks.

“At 22 years previous, Jarrett will not be close to his potential ceiling — and that’s the half I’m most enthusiastic about,” Cavaliers coach J.B. Bickerstaff stated. “He performs off his teammates properly and he is aware of they’re searching for him.”

Buying and selling away Harden, who compelled the staff into the deal, is simply the beginning of the Rockets’ woes. Their three key gamers — John Wall, Victor Oladipo and Christian Wooden — have all missed time with accidents.

Harden, who’s averaging 25 factors, 11 assists and eight rebounds an evening for the Nets, has performed in 19 of 20 video games since coming to Brooklyn. His versatility — he performed in over 70 video games in 11 of his 12 seasons — has been an missed a part of his greatness.

The Rockets were actually thriving within the instant aftermath of the commerce, profitable seven of eight video games to succeed in 11-10. However the closing win of that streak, Wooden suffered a severely sprained ankle that has sidelined him since.

“I’m used to taking part in with a conventional massive that rolls and pops, similar to John is, however we’ve acquired to determine a technique to win,” Oladipo stated, citing the specialty of the 6-foot-10 Wooden, who has been a revelation in his first season in Houston.

Wooden stated he thought the ankle was damaged at first, and hopes to be again quickly.

“It was positively laborious to cope with, at first,” Wooden stated of the damage. “However then after I came upon the information that it wasn’t as dangerous because it appeared, I used to be grateful and grateful. It might’ve been worse.”

It might probably’t get a lot worse for the Rockets proper now, although.