Mike D’Antoni suggests James Harden may need more rest next season

The Houston Rockets are trying to figure out what went wrong after they were eliminated in six games by the San Antonio Spurs, and coach Mike D’Antoni appears to be offering one possible factor.

In light of star guard James Harden’s 10-point, six-turnover performance in the elimination game, D’Antoni suggested that perhaps Harden would be subjected to more rest next season. The MVP candidate played all but one game this past season, finishing third in the NBA in minutes played.

“All great players think they can do everything,” D’Antoni said, via 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.

“And again, I feel so sorry for him because he’s had an unbelievable [season]. I mean, he’s had a historic year, and you can’t just say, ‘OK, one game …’ and all of the sudden, social media goes crazy. And I understand. Hey, I’ve been on that other side, so I understand. But he will get better. We will talk about it. I can help him. The offense will get better. I can get him off the ball some. I can save his legs a little bit and have more confidence [in other ball handlers]. Pat Beverley can run the team a little bit. We can do different things.”

Harden has shrugged off talk of injury, but it may well be that he was simply out of gas. More rest may pay off for him next year.