Can Harden & Rockets "Mend What's Been Broken?"

“We’re just not good enough . . . this situation is crazy,” James Harden said after Houston’s loss last night to the Lakers. The Rockets (3-6) have dropped four of five, and over that span, Harden is averaging just 17.4 points while shooting 38 percent overall, 26 percent from 3-point range, and only attempting five free throws per game well below his average of 12 last season. The former MVP's trade demand hasn’t helped the Rockets leverage in securing their perception of fair market value in exchange for Harden. One can only wonder if handled privately if both parties would have what they wanted by now. Houston would be developing its new identity under first-time head coach Stephen Silas with the talent secured in exchange for the eight-time All-Star plus Christian Wood, John Wall, and DeMarcus Cousins. And Harden would have his fresh start. “It’s something that I don’t think can be fixed,” Harden added last night. So the public divorce continues with it unlikely the three-time NBA scoring leader or Rockets management humming Gloria Gaynor’s R&B tune, “Let’s Mend What’s Been Broken” anytime soon.