When the Rockets move the ball and run action off-ball, it makes everything much easier for the offense. Harden is struggling mightily to Hero Ball, but if we ran some off-ball screens and action to free him to get easy shots or make easy assists, like we did for Parsons and others in the first half of Game 4, don't you think it would help him tremendously? Harden is not Michael Jordan in his prime, but speaking of him....Michael's coaches were smart and ran plays - like in this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33048n0lHJY A quick look at a great performance by Michael Jordan, and how the Bulls got him going: At the 1:03 mark where the Bulls are running a double screen for Kerr and another player as Michael is alone on the left side, leading to a Michael one-on-one on the left side, where he draws a foul. At 1:28 you see Jordan setting a pick for 2 players who each use him to shield their defenders from them and come around his right side, letting the passer get the ball to either of them for a layup or to Michael as he comes free of the others. Here the ball is passed to Michael and he hits a nice jumper. At 2:05 you see Michael "ISO". But his ISO is preceded by the player in the right corner diving across toward the basket and the player at the top of the 3 point line diving to the basket, getting the defense at least worried somewhat about entry passes for dunks/layups, removes any help defenders for Michael's shot, and puts 3 of his teammates in position to rebound. Michael then makes a really nice jump shot after a move to free himself. At 2:15 Longley screens for one player cutting to the basket, which the defense responds to, then Longley screens for Jordan on the wing, which the defense responds to, getting them all out of position and Michael makes the assist to Kukoc for an easy layup. At 2:32 and 2:48 Michael just Hero balls. My guess is that he was getting into a rhythm from the earlier sets. At 2:59 he fakes a shot and finds a cutter for an inside bucket and foul. At 3:29 Michael HARD fakes an inside cut, which makes the defender poop his pants a little, then Michael runs to the 3 point line a drains the open 3. At 3:47 Michael pulls up for a jumper in transition. He clearly has it going. He then proceeds to drain amazing shot after amazing shot. There's a lot of hero ball after this. But the point I'm making is that it's offensive passing, screening, and movement that got him going and helped even Michael in his prime. To expect Harden or anyone else to just play one-on-one and constantly dominate NBA defenders is silly. Run plays. MOVE WITHOUT THE BALL. Get Harden (and everyone else) easy looks, and we can win game 6, and even up this series.
MJ has no beard you forget that there's a rule that says if you sport a beard, someone must pass you the ball before you can move
portland has absolutely NO answer for the harden/howard pick n roll. they just wont run it, because they are morons. and last game lin showed that portland overall is not good at defending any pick n roll. it also helps that lin is excellent at pick n roll decision making. but milk hair and the rest of the team would rather shoot 3s and post up howard with no ball movement.
Running is illegal for Harden. :3 but seriously though if Harden would be willing to - and if Mchale is capable - he needs to draw some easy plays for Harden to get to the rack or open J to get his confidence going. After that Harden gets doubled - he passes to Open 3 pt shooter, and then people will have a hard time guarding anyone. Also would like to see more PNR as well. One thing for sure is - Stotts will make adjustments to the coverage for Aldridge most likely next game - the question is - how will McHale adjust to those adjustments?
