[GRANTLAND] With Dwight Howard in the Fold, What Is Omer Asik's Future With the Rockets?

Because on the original PnR you have 4 defenders surrounding the paint (Dwight man follows him out on the PnR) - that leaves 3 guys.

So when Harden takes the screen the guys will go over the screen to not give up the 3 pointer. So he's going to get into the lane. or give up the roll to Howard. You have the 3 defenders for Harden. But they are also half-guarding Asik, Parsons, and Lin. If the step up too early, they give up the easy shot, so they have to wait, but not too long or Harden gets the lay-up and/or foul.

So one of them has to step up to block Hardens past - which one will do that?

 

As I said, Howard will grab his man and Harden's man then, so Harden has an open lane to the basket. Good. You do realize Harden's man isn't knocked out by Howard right?

To answer your question, only help defense needed was from Asik's man, because he's already in the paint, because Asik should also be there. There are a few options for him depending on his location in the paint: draw a charge, go for a block, or simply put his hands up to alter Harden's shot. He doesn't even need to jump. He would force Harden to take a difficult shot or make a difficult pass off to Asik. If the pass is successful, Asik will have to step in and try to make a shot while the whole opponent team is now closing in. He would have to protect the ball and not let it be stripped, and dunk over his man, who's still under the rim.

And I will ask again my question, how do you think our transition defense and offense will be like with both Howard and Asik on the floor?