Since Harden has been out, it's given me more of an opportunity to evaluate the CP3/Capela PnR in comparison to the Harden/Capela PnR and appreciate the different "flavors". CP3 / Capela PnR It seems like opposing centers will not commit to a full rotation against CP3 because he's not a strong threat to finish at the rim. If he does try to get to the rim, it often results in a blocked shot or a bailout pass to the corner. Because of this, the lob to Capela is not typically available and CP3 will usually discontinue his dribble and get an open shot in the lane, just inside the FT line. Another thing to note is that opposing centers are forced to take a "show and recover" approach, and this gives Capela better rebounding position when CP3 takes a shot. If CP3's defender goes under the pick, it seems like CP3 sometimes is hesitant to step back and take the 3, so that's something he might need to improve upon. Harden / Capela PnR Harden's strength is getting to the rim, and this typically forces the opposing center to commit to a full rotation onto Harden. In these situations Capela usually gets a lob from Harden or Harden elects to try to finish at the rim over the rotating center. If Harden does elect to take the shot, again, the defender rotating onto Capela is out of position and Capela has a good opportunity on the offensive glass. If Harden's defender goes under the pick, then Harden is good at reading that and stepping back for the 3. Crunch Time In the last 2-3 minutes of close games, I would like to see us rotate back and forth between these two PnR combinations. You can then see how the defense is playing each one (during crunch time) and decide which option to go with in the final 30 seconds. Given how they rarely call fouls at the rim, my initial thought would be to go with CP3/Capela if we need a bucket because CP3 is likely to get a nice open jump shot inside the lane. Put Harden off-ball behind the arc in the spot where the defender is most likely to drop down and contest CP3 around the FT line, so CP3 can find Harden for an open 3 or have Harden rotate to Ariza in the corner for an open 3. The challenge will be when the defenders decide to go under the screen and then try to contest the 3 point shot. If our 3's aren't falling, then we can often go on a 2 or 3 possession drought at the end of games. I'd love to find an alternative option besides the step back 3 point shot, like Capela turning and setting a 2nd pick n roll on the defender after he's trying to contest a 3 point shot. If Harden can fake a 3 point shot and draw the defender without picking up his dribble, a 2nd pick and roll from Capela should give Harden a clear lane to the basket for a layup. Any thoughts? If anyone has stats that would shed additional light on this subject, I'd appreciate that too.
This is actually not accurate. Cp3 is the better spot up shooter. Imo it’s not even close. It’s harden PnR all day and if it’s defended properly you kick it to cp3. If he’s open shoot, pass around the horn to the open shooter or re establish a new PnR with all new defensive rotations. When you attack a defense that has already rotated and give them to rotate again, it really puts them out of sorts and you start getting wide open looks and lanes. But absolutely you go with harden PnR. Cp3 runs a better offensive set, but harden may be the best PnR ball handler of all time, especially the high PnR
Harden and Capela. Harden has more chemistry with Capela still and he is a huge threat to score so teams rarely sag off him like they do CP3 to give him the mid-range.
