D'Antoni: 'Not challenging at all' to integrate CP3 with Harden

Chris Paul and James Harden are both ball-dominant playmakers that function best with the ball in their hands, but Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni isn't the least bit concerned.

D'Antoni went so far as to dismiss the issue entirely when asked about integrating Paul into a Rockets side that found tremendous success with Harden at the helm.

"To be honest with you - and I’m not trying to be cute - it’s not challenging at all," D'Antoni told James Herbert of CBS Sports.

D'Antoni has plenty of reasons to be confident.

First off, it's not as if the two are complete strangers. Harden and Paul played together all summer in open runs across the country in anticipation of their upcoming partnership. Although those reps came during low-intensity workouts, the experience gained should go a long way towards building chemistry.

Second, both Paul and Harden can be effective playing on and off the ball. Both guards are elite playmakers in terms of getting their own shot or setting up others. They can also play off one another: Harden made 38.9 percent on catch-and-shoot threes last season while Paul made 50 percent.

Third, D'Antoni famously runs a high-tempo offense that generates extra possessions. Paul and Harden can take turns when they share the floor, then pivot into sole control of the offense when the other sits.

But as with any two stars combining, things don't always play out as they do on paper. Harden hasn't played with another high-usage guard since he was traded from Oklahoma City, while Paul has been the undisputed top dog since he entered the league.