same deflections per game as Westbrook and Rondo more than Lebron, Anthony Davis, Durant same loose balls recorvered per game as Lebron, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green more than Durant and Klay same charges drawn as Lebron, Anthony Davis more than Steph Curry, Butler, George double that of Durant, Kawhi, Westbrook, Klay more 2pt shots contested than Lebron, Kawhi, Curry, George, Westbrook, Butler more 3pt shots contested than Lebron, Durant, Kawhi, Curry, Westbrook more overall shots contested than Lebron, Kawhi, Curry, Westbrook, Butler same defensive reb % as Lebron slight lower than Durant better than Kawhi, George, Butler, Klay, Curry and lastly, similar defensive rating as Lebron, Avery Bradley, Ariza, slight lower than George
define hustler? same deflections per game as Westbrook and Rondo more than Lebron, Anthony Davis, Durant same loose balls recorvered per game as Lebron, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green more than Durant and Klay same charges drawn as Lebron, Anthony Davis more than Steph Curry, Butler, George double that of Durant, Kawhi, Westbrook, Klay more 2pt shots contested than Lebron, Kawhi, Curry, George, Westbrook, Butler more 3pt shots contested than Lebron, Durant, Kawhi, Curry, Westbrook more overall shots contested than Lebron, Kawhi, Curry, Westbrook, Butler same defensive reb % as Lebron slight lower than Durant better than Kawhi, George, Butler, Klay, Curry and lastly, similar defensive rating as Lebron, Avery Bradley, Ariza, slight lower than George
so you get stressed out by irrelevant stuff? rockets are 2nd on off rating and 8th in defensive rating and you're worried about Harden not running fast enough?
Lol individual defense. Are we still harping on that? Unless a player is a game changer at that position individual defense shouldn't matter too much as long as the player does all the right defensive things similar to how an offensive player shouldn't be a liability offensively. Harden has been okay in that department, but he can be better just like he can be better offensively. Are PJ and Luc great offensive players? No, but they can hit the 3 at an average rate, hit free throws if needed, and can move around and pass the ball. They do what they're asked for which is why we're an elite offensive team. So far, the Rockets aren't a terrible defensive team (ranked 8th as of today.) A lot better than last season which means our guys are doing what they're asked for so far. Though there can always be some improvements. Since we're talking about transition defense let's talk about transition defense. This is a key place where we need to improve. The Rockets allow the MOST points per possession when it comes to transition points with 1.19 PPP. That is bad no matter how you slice it. We're worse than the CAVS. The Jazz who are ranked 10th in best transition opponent PPP are allowing 1.06 PPP. That is where we want to be. The closer to 1.00 for transition PPP defense the better. Currently we're 0.19 PPP above that. We need to do work to get better. When it comes to frequency we are SECOND in the league with only the Wolves being worse. Being 2nd in frequency doesn't need to be a bad thing though because the Knicks are 3rd yet they only allow 1.05 PPP. The Wizards are 5th and allow 1.04 PPP. The Spurs are 10th and they allow 1.07 PPP. Being near the top in frequency isn't a completely bad thing, but it can become a terrible thing when we also give up a high PPP. Either way we're a terrible defensive team in transition, and it needs to be fixed ASAP. Whether it's because Harden isn't running back as quick as he can or not doesn't matter. There needs to be a fix, and ANY piece of information can be helpful in solving this defensive issue. We shouldn't be quick to make excuses or defend Harden because I didn't know this information before the thread, but I did know we were an awful defensive team in transition. Is this new information on Harden going to be helpful on improving the defense? I have no idea, and honestly it may not mean much. Daryl, Mike, Jeff, and the coaching staff sure will figure it out though, and it is their job to improve our defense.
If it takes Harden being the slowest in the league on getting back in transition to be on top of the West then so be it. Geez, some of you guys don't even know what the word 'perspective' is - our team is in the drivers seat of the best conference leading over perhaps the best team in NBA history - isn't that A LOT more important than how fast someone runs back? This is like having the fastest overall car in the world and complaining that it sucks because it's too slow in tests going from 15-30mph. Get some perspective
For whatever reason, Harden is a sh** one on one defender, especially on the perimeter, he really can't stay in front of everyone. That said, as long as he puts in some effort I can live with the results of his inferior defense. It was beyond frustrating when he would just watch in transition or flat out was lazy on helping or switching. This year though his effort has been the best I can remember. It was borderline acceptable last season.
don’t really care...sure, he can do a better job getting back at times, but his effort overall defensively has been fine given the load he carries offensively Also, how tf are there only 79 qualified players, and what did they have to do to qualify?
same deflections per game as Westbrook and Rondo more than Lebron, Anthony Davis, Durant same loose balls recorvered per game as Lebron, Anthony Davis, Draymond Green more than Durant and Klay same charges drawn as Lebron, Anthony Davis more than Steph Curry, Butler, George double that of Durant, Kawhi, Westbrook, Klay more 2pt shots contested than Lebron, Kawhi, Curry, George, Westbrook, Butler more 3pt shots contested than Lebron, Durant, Kawhi, Curry, Westbrook more overall shots contested than Lebron, Kawhi, Curry, Westbrook, Butler same defensive reb % as Lebron slight lower than Durant better than Kawhi, George, Butler, Klay, Curry and lastly, similar defensive rating as Lebron, Avery Bradley, Ariza, slight lower than George
Yeah, this stat doesn't say nothin. He's one of the most efficient scorers in the NBA... that's his role. The pace of the game today is so fast that it's almost impossible to get back that fast. Less effort in going downhill... understandably JH is that kind of player. That's why we got tucker and mbahamute who do that sort of thing.
Most of the time it doesn’t matter as long as 1 player from other team is also the slowest at that time.
These stats are very interesting, but all you had to do was watch him play. Also did those stats account for the rockets pace of play, need some context.
yeah I watch him and he's not perfect on defense. same as his team mates and other superstars but to say its not acceptable after his effort and hardwork on both sides of the ball is ridiculous it's not like someone else would have single handedly carried the rockets to 55 wins in the west. I guess that's unacceptable to you as well
Don't get me wrong, as a Rockets fan, Harden is my pride and joy, and I defended him through thick and thin, even after the game 6 disaster. I agree that one cannot be too nit picky considering the MVP level year he had. That said, his defense definitely left a lot to desire, despite the fact the no one is perfect at that end of the floor.
just curious, which active superstars' defense would have been acceptable to you? would you sacrifice offense, scoring, wins, and seeding to get "acceptable" defense?
OP is either a dumbass or a genius if he made this thread to trigger the dog **** out of this valerian bromosexual
Leonard & Durant are two that come to mind... That said.. I'm not sure your question is appropriate since you are asking if I would basically trade wins for better defense. Obviously, I wouldn't, but in reality the two are not mutually exclusive.
it actually is. because each player has a balance of offense, defense, and leadership. you want someone who is great at everything and carry a rockets team by himself. but there ain't one at this day and age. maybe AI? just like KD may be very good offensively and defensively. but he's a mental midget and ain't a leader who can make his teammates better that's why even after a 3-1 lead OKC lost and he band wagonned with a super team. and Kawhi, defensively solid, a product of Pops and spurs system, is fragile as glass and can't carry a team such a rocekts by himself. even the spurs didn't miss him when he rested 10 games last year and he's been injured this season. if the pops & spurs had harden, spurs would have gsw to at least 6 games if gsw had harden, they're still champions but if the rocket's had either 10 game rest & playoff injured Kawhi or 18 game injured bandwagoner KD, they'd be lucky to have 50 wins
