NBA: McHale: Harden is no leader.

Former head coach of Houston Rockets, Kevin McHale, spoke to NBA TV about the qualities of James Harden in a conversation – and agreed on an important one.

“James can see every pass and actually do everything, but James is not a leader,”said McHale, who led the Rockets and Harden into the 2015 Conference Finals,”He tried last year to do all those things that make a leader stand out.I think Chris Paul will help him to just focus on basketball again.”

Harden lacks credibility as a leader because of his defensive weakness, McHale continued:”Every team needs such a voice to listen to people.When James tells you,”You have to defend better,” are you listening?I’ve seen it happen.Every time he talked about Defense, everyone else lowered their heads and put their hands on their foreheads.”

For Harden, it’s an advantage that the Rockets were able to hire Paul this summer,”said McHale,” Chris Paul will push him,”said the former Celtics star,” If he doesn’t get a whistle, looks at the referee and doesn’t run back, Chris will spank him.That’ll make him a better player.”

“I just think Chris will be good for James.It will allow him to be what he is, a phenomenal basketball player, but not a leader.That’s just not his personality,”McHale concluded.