Kevin McHale coached the Rockets for four plus seasons.
On a recent episode of Open Court on NBATV, he was asked where the addition of Chris Paul puts Houston in the Western Conference.
"I think it makes them a much better team because you had James Harden with the ball -- fantastic with the ball -- great passer, the guy's got phenomenal vision. James can see all the passes and do everything. But James is not a leader," McHale declared. "He tried being a leader last year, tried doing that stuff.
"I think Chris Paul is gonna help him just kind of being able to hoop and play stuff like that. But on every team you have to have a voice. On every team you have to have somebody that when they say something, people listen.
"Look, if James tells you ‘Chuck (Barkley), you got to play better D.' Are you listening to him? You gotta be kidding me. I lived through it, believe me. Everybody in the locker room did this (put hand on head and look down)."
For years, Harden has been perceived as a guy who only plays one end of the floor.
Routinely, clips of his defense -- or lack thereof -- would circulate on social media.
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Paul -- who has been named All-Defensive First Team six years in a row -- is now by Harden's side.
"I just think Chris Paul will be good for James Harden," McHale added. "It will allow him to just be what he is which is a phenomenal basketball player -- not trying to lead a team, that's just not his personality."
The Warriors open the regular season against the Rockets on Oct. 17.
The #OpenCourt guys discuss if @CP3's arrival will benefit @JHarden13 and the @HoustonRockets. pic.twitter.com/hT2bibHrpS— NBA TV (@NBATV) October 6, 2017
Drew Shiller is the co-host of Warriors Outsiders and a Web Producer at NBC Sports Bay Area. Follow him on Twitter @DrewShiller
