"Not the same group"

open and shut case on the replay. his midsection noticeably caves in from the 2-handed push

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OohiAWDn6cM

 

And now we have a team of players who can only do one or two things well, and usually one of those things is not putting the ball in the basket.

 

If teams are going to guard Dwight this dastardly, Harden should get plenty open 16-18' jumpers. James must force C's to guard him, which well setup the lobs.

Dwight's having his best rebounding season since ORL.

 

2nd Half POR another Alley-oop fail. But they are trying to get Howard the ball.

This is the third play looking for Howard, and we're only at the 8:38 mark of the 3rd.

Spoiler

This is a classic play Rudy T used to get Yao low post position straight down the middle of the lane.

A soft PnR where Ariza threatens a drive to keep Plumlee low, and Howard walks down the lane, then Ariza passes to the Terry for a better angle to Howard. Rudy T would put MoT or Kenny at the elbow as Yao walked down the middle.

Terry takes the pass and drives forcing Plumlee to slide over and Howard is behind him near the rim. Terry tries the alley-oop, but pass is blocked for a turnover...sigh

 

Harden passing to Dwight tonight... is that part of the conspiracy?!?

 

As is this one. Shouldn't Harden be doing more to make those around him better? Shouldn't Harden be playing better defense?

There is an effort/heart issue on this team, and that certainly includes Harden. And when your star players are that way, your role players will quickly follow.

 

Howard WAS doubled on that play, but the double should have been ineffective. The guard on him was too far away, and not between him and basket. Possibly right thinking process (I'm doubled, give the ball back to open man), but a double that really was more like a single. If Howard can't work on Plumlee one on one...then who can he work on? Not that Plumlee is a terrible defender, but is he a terrific one?

Makes you realize just how great Olajuwon was. Because Howard isn't even vaguely close.

Also, if Harden is your best post threat when you have Howard on your team....that's a problem.

 

he wasn't doubled. All throughout his moves it was one-on-one. Look at the video. And actually, Plumlee is a very good defender.

The point of showing those clips was that it was a designed play for Howard with Harden setting a crossing-screen. We want that movement. The second reason was to show how Howard asked for a repost, yet nothing had changed in his positioning, so Terry immediately swung the ball.

 

So should Harden guide the ball in the basket for them?

 

Good thing I mentioned Harden's attitude toward Dwight a few days ago. James got word about Clutchfans and is now incorporating Howard better.

Next up, defense

 

Honestly, last night was the first time he looked, to me, like he was getting Dwight involved. Prior to last night, he would occasionally throw bad lobs, or post him up here and there -- but none of them were concerted efforts to get him high percentage shots.

Also, was the first time I've seen James smile on a Howard connection. When Howard dunked over Prizingles from Thornton, James actually looked happy!

 

Okay, I scanned as much of this thread as I could stand. Did Clutch ever check in with his further thoughts? If so, on what page?

 

.....

 

Thanks much, J.R. (and Clutch!)

 

The group is BACK!

 

Still missing Prigs. Get'r done Morey!

 

Also need Big Johnson, Dorsey and Papa back, too.

 

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hQo1HIcSVtg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

I like Prigioni.

 

I love to prigioni on all my sandwiches