https://www.theatlantic.com/enterta...-houston-rockets-nba/510611/?utm_source=atlfb I loved reading the bolded part. Never realized that the way Harden plays is so much like an algorithm. It's beautiful. Dude does the same thing over and over, and it yields success. Well written article.
wow. the media conspiracy just hammering James. it's totally unfair. I'm never reading the Atlantic again. #mediaconspiracy
Thanks for posting. The article kept replaying all he does is shoot 3s, go for layups, free throws or pass the ball for layups or 3s. But basically thats all you can do on offense except shoot mid range 2s. Unless he expects players to shoot half court or full court shots.
Those are the only outcomes of a PR/PP offense. It's basically a complicated game of rock, paper, and scissors, only it's even more dependent on the ability of the ones playing it. Harden and teammate sets up the pick, let's just use a pick and roll for here. Guard chasing Harden his pick and has to decide over or under. If he goes under, depending on how good a pick Harden's big sets, he will either get derailed and not be able to keep up with Harden who is going to use this split second to burst ahead to see if he can carve a path for the rim. If he can't catch up to Harden, someone is going to have to cover for him and this allows Harden to throw a pass to the open man on the perimeter or rim. Now if the guard goes over, Harden can step back for a quick and basically open three or if the other big steps forward to cover, feed the ball to his big who then either rolls toward the goal with either a mismatch or easy bucket. Now in a normal PnR offense, there is the remaining big to help rotate over and then the alley oop potentially becomes an option. However, on the Rockets, we have Anderson waiting 30ft out and pulling the PF with him. This is why the stretch 4 is SO DAMN IMPORTANT for Harden and why we ultimately gave this man $20M. That said, Harden has recently added new wrinkle to his already amazing PR with what I call the "Ass Guard" or "Asgard" where he slowly dribbles toward the goal with his rear end facing the trailing guard ala reverse Barkley and goes against the big who had stepped back to cover. Here Harden can then throw up a midrange/high post floater or alley oop depending on how far back the big goes. It's awesome when it happens!
Is that what the article said? 33% of Harden's shots are between 3' and the arc. It's right there at basketballreference.com for them to look up. 22% are 0-3' 33% are 3' to <Arc 45% are 3s He shoots a lot of 2s compared to Curry, for instance.
ooh fancy. James is getting 10,000 word write ups in the Atlantic now. Soon, David Attenborough will narrate a 4k special about the wildlife that lives in his beard. Go away media. We saw him first. -Thanks OP
Ultimately it is about wins and titles. Our roster is designed to play a certain way and there is nothing to apologize for, it works.
The article is based on the public perception of Harden as a player and not going in depth basketball wise. It's not meant for huge basketball fans, but it creates the narrative of a phenomenon that is Harden. He is polarizing in his game and attitude. Maybe the most hated superstar besides LeBron. I liked what the article is saying in terms of suggesting to other basketball fans to appreciate the strange beauty of Harden's game. And I do think this year people appreciate it more and more.
