The big argument for letting WB initiate the offense is that he'll get it done quicker. No more waiting until the last 8 seconds to make a move. A side effect is that any move WB makes that doesn't involve Harden will now leave Harden facing a defense that has been scattered and is scrambling to recover. If Russ can't score, kick it out to someone who will.
I think it's going to be whoever the defense dictates. And that's alright with me. Now they've got to game-plan for two wrecking balls.
Russ as diver in PnR action with Harden would be very effective, especially in small ball line ups with no true rim protector. Both Russ and Harden can take turns being cutters too. Offense is very multiple. It's the defense everyone should be worried about now.
I actually agree with what Max Kellerman said today on First Take. Russ has to be the ballhandler. It’s not like his jump shot is going to get better. His best year shooting was below the league average currently. Harden is able to do more so he is the one who is going to have to adapt to playing off ball. Sure he will take over when Russ is sitting on the bench. I think when they are on the court together though Russ will be the primary ball handler.
Mix it up throughout the game, at the end of the game whoever is playing best. If I have to pick one, then Harden as he is just simply better with the ball.
It should be Harden because he's way better. It will be Westbrook because if it's not, then you're wasting having him on the court. This is the main issue with the Westbrook trade. You're actively limiting the best offensive player in the game to cater to the other.
I'd expect it'd be fairly evenly split between them. They both have their advantages that would make them the more sensible ballhandler on any particular possession. Harden's 3-pt shooting cuts both ways. Playing off the ball, he's a 3-pt threat that can space the floor, but with the ball he has more options than Westbrook on whether to shoot or drive, and he forces his defender to play up tighter on him. And there's the simple fact that guys get tired when they have the ballhandler role. I swear most of the reason Harden pounds so much air out the ball is because that's the only part of the game when he can make sure he gets a 10 second breather. If he can take turns creating offense, he'll have more energy when he's on.
I think it should be a joint partnership where they treat each other as equals and work together, but that feels about as likely as peace in the Middle East, so... yeah... no clue.
Both. My turn, your turn will flame out in the playoffs. If Harden doesn’t play off the ball and adapt, it will fail. He orchestrated this and he needs to figure out how to mesh his and Russ’s game.
harden is better off the ball because of shooting ability. and there were reports of the rockets repeatedly asking him if he'd play more off the ball if they made this trade. so I assume russ is the PG and James is the SG, but of course James will have the ball in his hands plenty.
I believe it should and will be Harden who has the ball in his hands the most amount of time per game. But I don’t think Westbrook will be far behind him. Reminder two years ago Harden was 2nd and Paul was 8th and last season Harden was 1st and Paul was 7th in time of possession per game. Westbrook was 4th last year and 1st two years ago.
