Harden has now committed at least 4 turnovers in 12 consecutive games. That's more than any Rocket since at least the 1985-86 season. Perhaps he's on track to beat another Moses Malone franchise record? Not sure. Across all teams since the 85-86 season, only 3 players committed 4 or more turnovers in at least 12 consecutive games. Charles Barkeley (12), Jerry Stackhouse (15), and Allen Iverson (14). Iverson was the last to do it, in 1997.
Harden was two assists and two turnovers away from a triple double. Lin was one turnover away from a 5x5. FML Rockets got to work on their stat-padding like Love and Rondo.
Personally, I don't think TO's are that big of a deal, unless we're getting into some crazy number like 7 TO's/game.
To be fair, a lot of those TOs from both Lin and Harden come from Asik failing to catch a pass. I love Asik, but he has butterfingers on offense. He has great motor though, he just needs a Hakeem training camp.
This is his first year being the top dog, I'll be concerned if this trend continues well into next season.
It's definitely become an issue. We have lost most of those games during the streak. Some is certainly on Asik, but most are from losing the ball while driving, some are intercepted passes, others on traveling. So he'd have to shore all those areas.
If Harden and Lin want to reduce their turnovers they must stop giving Asik high fives it messes with their handling. I kid but Harden does turn the ball over a lot hope he reduces that over the years.
Then they should know better to pass it to him in semi-clogged traffic. Lin needs to develop some bounce passes and set up his passing lanes for those instead of jumping and passing. Harden needs to throwing hard bounce passes to Asik and in clogged traffic.
It's instinctive, it's not something you can expect any NBA player to change. If a player sees a 7 footer deep in the post, it's in their instincts to give the ball to him, especially if they are open. You can't expect players to not give the ball to another player when they are in seemingly good position. It also creates chemistry issues because you are basically telling Asik that he can't be trusted at all even when he is wide open. There are only a couple of things you could do in this situation. Take Asik out or change the game plan so Asik doesn't need to be in the post.
Obviously When you handle the ball that much you get higher TOs. IMO Harden's 3.8 TOs per game is being a bit overblown by people, given that hes scoring 25.9ppg, and giving 5.4 assists with those TOs. To put this in perspective: say an assist is worth 1 point. Then Harden is giving your team 31.3 points while making those 3.8 turnovers. if we say multiply this by 4, we get 125.2 points, with 15.2 turnovers. Normalising this to 100 points, its roughly 12 turnovers per 100 points. most teams would take that anyday. Really, his production to turnover rate is good.
Yeah. YOu need to give the ball to the C and PFs when they roll hard to the basket even if it means potential TOs. It is a chemistry issue. I think just keep passing it to Asik. Force him to learn!!!
It is an interesting way of looking at TOs. BUt I think it is important to look at the kind of TOs he makes. Passing to Asik is OK. But I hate it when he just tries to drive to a 3 man wall. That's the kind of TOs that is bad.
he doesnt have midrange game and instead drives to basket if not taking a 3 pointers regardless of defense pressure. he will aways have high turnovers until he expands his game
