HOUSTON -- James Harden was second in the NBA with 29 points per game last season and his 7.5 rebounds were a career high.Still, it was a disappointing year for Harden and the Houston Rockets, who were ousted in the first round of the playoffs by Golden State, and the star knew he had to adjust things to take the team farther this year.Last year was frustrating, numbers individually was pretty solid, but just the love and excitement wasnt there, he said. So I had to look in the mirror this summer and realize that I got to change and I got to get back to how I was.To that end, he refocused this offseason and put an emphasis on becoming a better leader. He organized players-only training and outings in both Miami and Las Vegas in an attempt to create cohesiveness within the group before camp.Just getting to know somebody and hanging out ... it was really good, he said. Thats going to carry over onto the court.The way his embraced his role as the undisputed leader of this team has impressed everyone in the organization, starting with owner Leslie Alexander.It shows that James wants to win very badly, Alexander said. Hes a winning player ... James is one of the top three or four players weve ever had here and he wants to win as much as (Hakeem) Olajuwon and (Clyde) Drexler and everybody else.Trevor Ariza is entering his 13th NBA season, but had the excitement of a rookie on Friday as he talked about how much better things feel entering this season than they did last year. It was a season that saw coach Kevin McHale fired after just 11 games and the Rockets take a step back after reaching the Western Conference finals in 2015.I think just last season was frustrating for everybody because we just couldnt figure it out together, Ariza said. I dont even know how to explain. It was just a weird, weird, weird year.So how have things changed now?The vibe has just been totally different, Ariza said. Everybody is excited to show what theyve worked on and excited just to be around each other.These positive-attitude Rockets enter the season with new coach Mike DAntoni and without eight-time All-Star center Dwight Howard, who signed with Atlanta in the offseason. A big question for this team will be who will step in to make up for Howards absence.Their top options are Clint Capela, a third-year player who saw limited action the past two seasons as Howards backup, and Nene, who played 53 games for Washington last year before joining Houston in the offseason.General manager Daryl Morey raved about Capelas improvement in his first year, but knows hell have to do more this season if the Rockets hope to be a force in the Western Conference.Clint is going to have to take a big step forward and its not an easy step, Morey said. To go from playing 15-20 minutes against often not the starting center to playing 25-plus minutes against front-line guys, thats a big step forward. Its more physical. It takes a big toll on your body to do that night-in and night-out.Along with Nene, the Rockets also added outside shooters Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon this offseason. Houston expects the addition of those two to fill a void that this team has had in recent years.We were able to upgrade our shooting ... for the style we want to play, Morey said. I dont feel like we had enough shooting (before). We do have that.Everyone is saying the right things and Morey believes he made the upgrades necessary for the team to succeed in DAntonis system. But with all the improvements other teams made in the West, its hard to know what to expect from this team.Alexander was confident, yet tempered when asked about his expectations.I think well win more games than people anticipate, he said. But when the season rolls on well see how well we do. Steve Nash Mavericks Jersey . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Jason Kidd Mavericks Jersey .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/dirk-nowitzki-mavericks-jersey/ . "Were just throwing s--- at the wall hoping something sticks," said Tortorella about the possible line combinations for Fridays game against Columbus. The Canucks have lost five straight games and six of their last seven, leaving them in a logjam in the Pacific Division, currently sitting fifth - good for ninth in the Western Conference. Jose Juan Barea Mavericks Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Jason Kidd Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Realizing what a special superstar hes become in the pros, its amazing to look back at?Kawhi Leonards numbers from San Diego State. The Spurs star shot just 25 percent from 3-point range while competing in the Mountain West Conference, yet was fourth in the NBA last season at 44.3 percent from beyond the arc.However, the key reason we love Leonard as a fantasy basketball asset isnt his awesome improvement in shooting touch, but rather his amazing statistical diversity, namely his defensive exploits. Leonard is currently averaging an astounding (albeit unsustainable) five steals during his first two games.Having led the league in steals per game in 2014-15, Leonards current perch atop the league in larceny appears legitimate. Its also very possible his reign over the Player Rater could be sustainable if this seasons surge in offensive volume continues. Its easy to forget that Leonard just turned 25 this past June and enjoyed a massive 28.4 percent leap in scoring from 2014-15 to last season. Leonard is again enjoying a steep ascent on offense both in terms of shot volume and, more significantly, from the free throw line.As I wrote this past June, The playoffs confirmed for me that Leonard is a surefire top-five fantasy selection for 2016-17 drafts. In fact, Leonard ended up going seventh, on average, in ESPN drafts this fall. My lofty opinion of Leonard was due to his increasing offensive workload and his teams reliance on him -- and not LaMarcus Aldridge?--?as its chief creator in the postseason.With Tim Duncan retired and significant mileage on Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, this is undoubtedly Leonards team. For those that landed Leonard late in the first round, you just might have netted a dark horse candidate for the top overall fantasy asset this season.After perusing the upcoming week of the NBA schedule below, be sure to check out our trendspotting notes, as we delve into a number of rising players and intriguing trends.Access the downloadable forecaster chart PDF hereMatchup ratings are based on a scale from 1 (poor matchup) to 10 (excellent matchup). These are calculated using a formula that evaluates the teams year-to-date and past 10 games statistics, their opponents numbers in those categories and their performance in home/road games depending on where the game is to be played. The column to the left lists the teams total number of games scheduled, as well as home games, and lists the overall rating from 1-10 for that teams weekly schedule.Ratings roundupFor those playing in weekly head-to-head leagues, maximizing games played can prove paramount to almost all other factors. Even if your opponent hoards greater overall talent, you can surpass them statistically if you can guarantee more games in your weekly profile. When it comes to streaming players, then, we should look to identify teams with busy schedules.The Sacramento Kings, for example, lead the NBA with five games this week. Its rare to find a five-game stretch in a given slate, so this makes shares of guys like Ty Lawson, averaging more than 35 minutes as the substitute starter at point guard, and even Matt Barnes?and his 27 minutes per game somewhat attractive as rentals for the week ahead.ddddddddddddThe Atlanta Hawks enjoy a strong rating this week thanks to three home games out of four contests in total. They have inviting meetings with the likes of the fast-paced Lakers, Kings and Rockets. The?Cleveland Cavaliers play just three games this week, but its nice to see that they only play up-tempo opponents. That could extract increased exposure and output from LeBron James and his fellow stars.As for some of the weaker profiles this week, the Brooklyn Nets face a series of capable defensive teams prone to slowing the pace. The Charlotte Hornets play just two games this coming week, making them an avoidable source for streaming given such a limited slate. Similarly, the Miami Heat are limited to two games with one coming against the down-tempo, defensive-minded Raptors.Surging in CharlotteMichael Kidd-Gilchrist could serve as an awesome approximation of Leonard if you missed out on him in drafts. While he doesnt possess Leonards shooting touch, its nice to see such rich rebound and steal potential from the versatile forward after he played in just seven games last season. A gifted rebounder for his position, MKG enjoyed a league-high 30 rebounding chances in the season opener, which are defined as being within 3.5 feet of an available board.With nearly 35 minutes played in the first game and available in half of ESPN leagues as of press time, Kidd-Gilchrist is a strong early waiver warrior to consider for your player portfolio. With real defensive prowess and upside in steals and even blocks, this forgotten forward could prove to be quite valuable this season.Myles aheadOne fear for the Pacers Myles Turner was a potential lack of minutes on an increasingly deep roster. Yet, with 37 minutes played and 19 field goal attempts in Indianas first game, its clear hes a priority player on the new-look roster.Tabbed as a breakout candidate for this season, Turner led the NBA playoffs last summer with 3.3 blocks per game and a Whiteside-like block rate of 9.8 percent. Turners per-36 rates of 16.3 points, 8.7 boards and 2.3 blocks from his rookie campaign suggest increased minutes could propel fantasy stardom for the second-year big man.Croatian impactIll be writing a waiver wire column which debuts on Sunday but, as a preview, heres a widely available asset to admire early this season. Its?Dario Saric?of the 76ers, who could provide helpful numbers as a key rotation cog. The rookie enjoyed 20 rebounding chances in his debut thanks to his playing nearly 28 minutes.We saw his knack for playmaking emerge for Croatia in the Olympics this past August, and he might have the steadiest minutes profile of Philadelphias collection of big men. Even though he struggled from the field, there is upside found in his exposure rates (12 shots and the strong minutes). Saric is a name to watch in the early weeks of the season. ' ' '