Zach Lowe: Ten things I like and don't like (James Harden, lob artiste)

Well truth be told Capela has better hands than Dwight. A better touch around the rim as well.

 

Let's not get carried away, here.

If there is anything Howard could do, it was slam off of passes, with tremendous ability to catch and convert lobs. He just stopped wanting to do it.

 

Harden and Dwight lob disconnect had zero to do with Harden’s ability to throw good lobs. It was a clear disconnect due to no agreed system, so Dwight could not be counted on, lack of chemistry and Dwight’s refusal to run the pick and roll (properly).

 

This is why Capela made him obsolete

 

Harden has been throwing great lobs every since Asik was here. Asik unfortunately couldn't catch worth a damn.

Both Capela and Nene catch everything everything... bounce passes included.

Harden-Paul-Capela-Nene are matches made in Heaven.

 

It’s debatable, Capela at 23 to Rockets Dwight I’d say Capela has the better softer hands. I remember clearly Dwight fumbling the ball out of bounds or missing it completely countless times. Dwight of course was the better athletic specimen but seemed stiff in his motions

 

I still don't trust Capela's hands. He'll catch lobs, but won't consistently catch bounce passes or anything thrown near his chest/waist. This was a huge problem in the playoffs last year and why the offense looked much better when Nene was in the game.

 

"The Rockets have won each of their past five road games by 15 points or more, tied for the longest streak in NBA history. The previous three teams to do that each won the NBA title: 2011-12 Heat, 2003-04 Pistons, 1969-70 Knicks. Over the past two weeks, James Harden had a six-game stretch where he averaged 40 points and 10 assists, the third player ever to put together a stretch of that kind, joining Tiny Archibald and Oscar Robertson." -- Vincent Johnson

 

the numbers were clear

 

James is a magician with these beautiful lobs. He lures the defenders to sleep, then hit them with a quick crossover and the rest is history.

Now as far as Dwight vs Capela. Capela had no choice but to buy into the system. Even though both players are/were limited post players Dwight did come into the league as a rookie and lead a franchise with his strong inside presence. Unfortunately he was stuck back in time. Now to his credit he did show up twice in the playoffs one in which gave him that false idea of having more touches. We tend to call that fools gold. But when he did buy into what we were doing Dwight was a dunking machine. The chemistry between him and Josh Smith was amazing.

I love how Capela operates around the rim and always puts himself in great position for these lobs.

 

Dwight stopped setting decent picks after year 1. He slipped and went to the rim almost every damn time. Maybe it was because he'd get rung up for illegal picks when he actually tried? It was awful.

 

So when is the nickname "The Red Lobsters" going to catch on? Lol