Mike D'Antoni's handling of James Harden will be under the microscope next season after the Houston Rockets' Game 6 loss, in which the star posted just 10 points in a 114-75 finish that bounced his team from the playoffs.
"All great players think they can do everything," the head coach said during Friday's exit interviews, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "Maybe he does need to take a game off here and there. 'Hey, you're nicked up a little bit, don't play, maybe.' Something to talk about, but that's also his greatness, too. So it's hard. It's very delicate."
Harden averaged nearly a triple-double in the regular season in 81 games, missing only one due to illness. In the pivotal game against the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals, Harden committed 6 turnovers, went 2-of-11 from the field, and shot 2-of-9 from three. He did not participate in Friday's media conference.
"He's had a historic season, and we can get that better," D'Antoni said. "Obviously, we'll sit down. Save his energy, play him less, manage it better. ... We'll work that together. One game can't erase nine months of work."