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Bored Quarterback Harden

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by Will, Jan 11, 2019.

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  1. Will

    Will Clutch Crew
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    James Harden has the cross-over, the blow-by, the pull-up, the step-back, the no-look, the wrap-around, and the lob. He's the greatest scorer in the league, and he knows it. I think he's getting bored.

    I'm not saying he isn't motivated. He practices hard and plays hard. But he's gotten so good at so many things, and he's become so unguardable, that I think he's itching to try something new.

    So here's what he's been doing a lot lately: throwing long balls to Clint Capela in traffic. I'm not talking about drive-and-lobs or alley-oops off screens. I'm talking about tossing a ball into the lane, often from a considerable distance, and seeing if Capela can go up and get it.

    Some of these passes are spectacular. Many result in layups or dunks, at least when we're playing teams like the Cavs. But I've seen a lot of them go awry, and not because the defense was amazing. Often, against better teams, Capela is just not that open, at least not when Harden feels like trying a full-court heave or a lob to the lane from the top of the key. It's like watching a quarterback throw to a well-covered receiver. You're going to get deflected or picked.

    Have any of you been watching the same thing? Am I the only one who's concerned? It just doesn't look to me like Harden is prudently assessing these situations. He seems determined to throw that ball for the beauty of it and see if he can connect. And while I love watching beautiful basketball, I'd rather watch him hoist a trophy.
     
    #1 Will, Jan 11, 2019
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  2. topfive

    topfive CF OG

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    Those questionable passes irritate me -- unless they work, in which case I'm thrilled with the decision. :D

    But let's be realistic: Even when they result in turnovers, Harden makes up for them at some point.

    My big wish is that he could learn to dial it in a bit during the playoffs, but he seems to be just as daring a passer then.
     
    #2 topfive, Jan 12, 2019
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  3. khanhdum

    khanhdum Member

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    He did this 2 years ago and I think sometimes he tries to do this so it’s less work on him on having to start up the offense at half court. I also think when Chris is back, he’ll get him to stop which he didn’t do much of that last year

    BTW the biggest lob pass to Clint was when we were down 6 with a minute and it connected with an and1
     
    #3 khanhdum, Jan 12, 2019
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  4. BamBam

    BamBam Contributing Member

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    I was commenting the exact same thing to my son while we were watching the game! He’s trying to entertain himself by making the difficult plays more often, instead of the more practical ones! I don’t mind in a blowout against an inferior team if he wants to do this, but he needs to be held accountable against the better teams in the league.

    Go Rockets!!!
    .......
    .......
    .......
     
    #4 BamBam, Jan 12, 2019
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  5. DrNuegebauer

    DrNuegebauer Member

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    It's the same concern with the between the legs of the defender passes

    He is supreme offensively but a few times a game bites off more than he can chew on a pass.
     
    #5 DrNuegebauer, Jan 12, 2019
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  6. rockbox

    rockbox Around before clutchcity.com

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    All I know is Capela is the DeAndre Hopkins of the NBA. His hands are glue.
     
    #6 rockbox, Jan 12, 2019
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  7. vlaurelio

    vlaurelio Contributing Member

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    1 superstar harden with stubborn coach desperately need an aggressive innovative creative harden
     
    #7 vlaurelio, Jan 12, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2019
  8. bongman

    bongman Member

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    I believe that there was a time when his step back 3 was also cringe worthy especially during crunch time. But he has been doing this with great efficiency that we're now more comfortable with him taking these shots. If you agree with that, at what efficiency rate would be fair for us to consider these type of plays as acceptable risk?
     
    #8 bongman, Jan 12, 2019
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  9. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!

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    It bugs me but if it keeps him engaged.....he is just on an entirely different level than most NBA players.

    He is in ALL TIME GREAT land.

    DD
     
    #9 DaDakota, Jan 12, 2019
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  10. jordnnnn

    jordnnnn Member

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    I’d be interested to know the exact conversion rate on those passes. Just my gut feeling I think overall we have benefited from them statistically, but I would also guess it’s probably not a huge net positive,
     
    #10 jordnnnn, Jan 12, 2019
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  11. lnchan

    lnchan Sugar Land Leonard

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    And who is your NFL equivalent of... Omer Asik...?
     
    #11 lnchan, Jan 12, 2019
  12. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #12 J.R., Jan 12, 2019
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  13. ryano2009

    ryano2009 Member

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    I blame the coaching staff for allowing him to do this **** continuously, MDA needs to be called out
     
    #13 ryano2009, Jan 12, 2019
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  14. donkeypunch

    donkeypunch Contributing Member

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    Tom brady
     
    #14 donkeypunch, Jan 12, 2019
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  15. TracywtFacy

    TracywtFacy Member

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    I think those lobs have the intangible value of making the defense run back that much harder and look over their shoulders more.

    Jim knows what he is doing.
     
    #15 TracywtFacy, Jan 12, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 12, 2019
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  16. theimpossibles1

    theimpossibles1 Member

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    James is not 'entertaining himself.'

    He is practicing. Adding yet another weapon to his massive arsenal. Practicing it in carefully selected games/situations so he can use it more effectively in big games later.
     
    #16 theimpossibles1, Jan 12, 2019
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  17. ParaSolid

    ParaSolid Member

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    I’m okay with it. It rarely seems to go awry in my opinion.
     
    #17 ParaSolid, Jan 12, 2019
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  18. Mathloom

    Mathloom Shameless Optimist
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    Harden is a lazy passer sometimes but I noticed last season that he was less so when Paul was on the floor. The velocity on Harden's passes could use a bit more oomph.
     
    #18 Mathloom, Jan 12, 2019
  19. don grahamleone

    don grahamleone Contributing Member

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    William Perry
     
    #19 don grahamleone, Jan 12, 2019
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  20. Nivos

    Nivos Member

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    Harden and LeBron led the league in those full court passes for the past few years, it's not new.
    I get annoyed when it results in a turnover but it keep the defense on their toes. Knowing they can't chill for a second it creates the effect of transition offense without running. Kind of genius if you ask me.
     
    #20 Nivos, Jan 12, 2019
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