But haven't the Rockets been switching everything since playing Golden State two years ago and losing in 7? I get the guarding biggers guys comment, but heavy switching has been a thing for almost 2yrs now, and for the previous 2 he has been pretty consistently offensively dominant.
That’s probably why GS didn’t just run the **** out of the Hampton 5. They went small in intervals. We all know that was their best lineup, so why didn’t they use it more? Because it’s freaking exhausting and guys like Curry and Klay couldn’t hold up to that over the course of a season. Green probably could but he’s the only one. As annoying as Barkley is, that’s the point he was trying to make. Closing out a game without a center is one thing. Playing half a season without one is entirely different.
Stop being predictable. Incorporate midrange step back shots or what have you. He also needs to be mentally strong. He seems to be frustrated when his shots are not falling. Maybe he's hurt. Who knows.
I think it's a very big deal when he's not mentally in the game and his 3's are not dropping especially in this small ball system they're using. Everyone needs to be clicking if they want to be successful now and in the playoffs.
That's why the Rockets need to switch it up back to a big roller to the rim to start the game and throughout major intervals. The warriors are all consistent shooters with there Hampton 5.. Even Draymond and IG had more consistency than any of the Rockets best.
Harden fell off a cliff somewhere during the Hawks game and never recovered. He was playing above MVP level in December then all of a sudden lost everything, his first step, his speed, his lift his 3 pointer.
But he is 30 points on 58% TS since January 1. Which is still REALLY good. Not the Uber efficient Harden that he normally is, but let’s not act like he’s fallen off a cliff. Most of the down scoring has to do with Westbrook taking more shots not a big efficiency drop. He’s getting blocked 0.2 times more per game this season than his prior Houston years.
Am I wrong? There are only 20 players in the league scoring 20 points per game on 58% TS. There are only 10 who average 25 points per game on 58% TS. In Harden’s “free fall” he’s 30 points on 58% TS. Getting blocked 0.2 times more per game is something. But it’s not HUGE. I don’t deny that he seems to have lost a little burst. But his field goal percentage at the rim is one of his best ever. This is his lowest turnover percentage season of his Houston career. We still are negative rating team when he hits the bench and an awesome team when he’s on the floor. His season long numbers are stellar. And after a loss to a team everyone agrees is better than us the immediate reaction is that the end is near for Harden. That he’s killing us and we will never win with him. Classic clutchfans overreaction.
Harden has changed. Scoring points is not easy like before for him. When the last time Harden scored 45+ pts? 2 months ago or 3 months?
Harden's beard? No Clippers, after shave plenty of lint and dirt! Harden really struggled against clippers. It was as if the coach told him that he needed to shave and Harden boycotted the nba basket refusing to shave or even score a fourth quarter basket!
Let folks ride their own roller coaster if they want too... lol... The highs and lows of the season... If folks wanna be a lil butthurt on blocks (as one just happened down the stretch in a game we lost...) ...let em vent a bit... can also use the followup miss by WB to rag on the mid range... its fandom, bro... not a spreadsheet... lol!
