Could a lot of Utah's missing shots be attributed to the effort they have to spend on Harden? Warriors play more loose. It will be a different series.
Sure you won in 5 games, but the last two games he started out 0-15 and 1-10 while turning the ball over. James Harden scored 36 points a game on 62% TS in the regular season. This series he dropped to 28ppg and 53% TS. B is average, C is below average. He played below average.
So, is this your definition of being a Harden fan? It's funny, because Greg Popovich is often very critical of his players too, and yet he's considered as possibly the best coach of all time. What if Popovich only said good things about his players? would they ever improve or evolve? why would they? EVERYTHING IS FINE RIGHT NOW.
I don't think its fair to call it predictable. His offense may be "predictable" but is very effective. You knew Shaq was going to the low post and albeit very predictable, it was very effective. The gimmick defense wasn't even entirely to force Harden to take midranges. He can score from anywhere on the court and your best chance is to give him the least efficient shot WHILE taking away the kick outs and lobs. The part that the Jazz failed on was playing the passing lanes for the kick out passes. With Rubio shading Harden to go to the mid range and Gobert camping the paint. There is hardly any room/time for Harden to stop and take that 15 footer. Gobert is too good and too big and can easily take a step forward and contest that shot. I don't care who you are, that is a bad shot.
Mda cp3 ego the rest of the rockets are totally predictable Their for sure dependent on harden to carry them to a win night in and night out
Winning in 5 against an inferior opponent is to be expected. If we are talking about Harden's individual play per his expectations, he had a below average first round series.
Everything is fine right now........ the Rockets just beat the Jazz 4-1. If the Rockets lose to the Warriors, you will have an entire off season to discuss why the Rockets didn't win the title.
Just stop and think. 1st in defense team focused on only stopping him. Thats how much respect they have for him and non respect to the coach and team around him. To avg 30 pts a game agaisnt a coaching staff and team hell bent on stopping you is pretty amazing
All these harsh critics with the C. I gave Harden a B b/c while he didn't shoot well, and his ppg took a dive, I took into account that we had shtty refs who needed to keep the series somewhat close hence lack of legit foul calls. If it was anyone else they would had a field day shooting free throws.
Any criticism in a drop in offensive efficiency for Harden is offset by how crazy good his defense effectiveness was. Harden Defensive Rating - Regular Season 108 ----> Playoffs 96 Defensive + / - - Regular Season +1.1 ----> Playoffs +3.2 A couple factors here, in the regular season, he was a GOAT level offensive player, and a slightly above average defensive player, settling in on an MVP regular season performer against all levels of competition. In the playoffs, playing a stifling defensive team for 5 grueling games, of course his offense suffered, but he was still a far and away net positive. Conversely though, his defense was stellar and it showed. Numerous deflections, steals, strips. All in all, his base +/- is still at an MVP level. You haters need to sit the **** down.
The Jazz reinvented the wheel not only when it came to defending Harden but they also innovated new schemes that have never been seen before in the history of the NBA. In addition they guarded Harden with Royce O’Neal and Rubio and they’re like the modern day prime versions of Scottie Pippen and Gary Payton. It’s no wonder why Harden shot just 37% from the field for the entire series and turned the ball over 5.6 times per game by making him do stuff he’s never seen before like forcing him to go right. Seriously though..... The Jazz defense was NOT that good. Harden has to play better. A lot better.
Production wise. But that's too simplistic. Coach said, he is who he is, nothing has changed and will change. Their defense scheme was solely focused on him, which allowed our other guys to get their shots and tired them out on their offense end. So you can't just go by the numbers and say he played below average. What about these factors I mentioned for measuring the IMPACTS he had to the series and most important we finished off a very good team in 5 games. Look at the Warriors. It's not easy.
The Jazz defense was middle of the pack out of all the teams in the playoffs. He averaged 27.8ppg NOT 30. Even if it was 30 per game... shooting 37% from the field and turning the ball over 5.6 times per game is simply not good enough.
