The "Halfcourt Fastbreak"

It is pretty amazing how James Harden can get so many layups in a half-court set.

 

yea I've been trying to wrap my head around this "half court" fast break you speak of...it's almost as if Harden is playing QB and throwing 20-40 yard passes out on the court and doesn't mind if Montrez or Ariza or whomever converts it or not because he's playing the analytics of it all. When it works more often than not you can see the opposing team feel deflated and frustrated when Harden does some silly **** that works that shouldn't half court style

 

......And make it look so easy, like a layup drill at times. Then when he decides to break someone down on a switch or straight up, you see the whole range of hesitation moves and rapid deceleration that delights the very soul....maaaannn

 

I see the current Rocket scheme much the same. I don't believe the Suns shot as many 3's.
I checked the other day; one of their best yrs the Suns took about 24 attempts per game. 39%
from 3. I would say the Rockets have more space since EGo & Ryno shoot from better range
than Raja Bell, Marion, Barbosa, Grant Hill, Diaw, etc. Rockets are excellent catch and shoot guys
with quick releases. Now Nash vs Harden....imo...Nash can PnR drive, lob, pass, floaters in the lane,
step backs, kick outs, shoot 3's, good at layups. Harden can as well. One difference I see is Nash
being smaller; Centers/PF's felt they could get picked near the 3-pt line but still felt they could get a
beat on Nash & block his shoot at or below the rim (no dunks). This is when Nash would dribble thru
the lane & keep his dribble going and circle back. Harden is a threat to thunder dunk it......less chance
of blocking his shot......no need to circle back. Harden seems like he gets called for less charge calls
than Nash. Harden goes a little slower and can Eurostep allow that. I have seen slight
variations from the D'Antoni playbook with this Rockets team. I feel D'Ant has added more GSW
back cuts. Different rules different eras. No more hand checking I believe......zones allowed. I think
the first yr zones were allowed was during that Mavs team that won the championship...around 2010.
I will check those stats and change them as noted: edited later, if much different.

Edited later: 04/05: 25(3PA), 39%(3P%)......05/06: 26(3PA),40%(3P%)....06/07: 24(3PA), 40%(3P%),
07/08: 22(3PA), 39%(3P%)

 

Very nice man!
I've been trying to get some kind of understanding of it all.
How come offense is so efficient and effective although pace is not on historically fast level and Harden is shuttering the turnover record like nothing but it still doesn't seem to hurt the team.
This is the best explanation I could find.
It all comes down to the shot selection and spacing we have to allow for that offense but it does seems exactly like you describe it as a half court fast break

 

Interesting post & idea.

I think this is true against undisciplined defensive teams. However, teams like Spurs/Grizz/Warriors that don't really get 'intimidated' defensively know that if you just stay in front of Harden and keep your hands up or down, your biggest priorities are your wings guarding the passing lanes and having your bigs stay around the rim.

At that point, you'll get one of three outcomes from Harden:

1. A long jumpshot (you'll live with it)
2. A forced pass (ie turnover)
3. A drive to the rim (shot altered by big man)

This is how you stymie the Rockets offense. We've seen it a few times.

 

Are you talking about how he pushes the 8 second half court limit by very slowly dribbling up the court to lull the defense to sleep then if he sees a path he drives straight in? If so, that is beautiful to watch.

 

Teams (like the Spurs) are trying to follow this conventional wisdom blueprint--switch a big man and make Harden go over the top. However, there are some new things in this "half-court break" (which should be trademarked, it's perfect):

1. Harden is making the contested layups
2. A little bit of perimeter movement combined with exact passing is creating uncontested threes on the wings (which we make)
3. Our players who are rolling into paint are cleaning up (lobs, putbacks, running layups, rebounds)

If Harden ever learns that Nash dribble through the paint trick, he will be unstoppable. The big will be in the air and out of position. You'll have your pick of shots: pass for the three, layup, step back, pass to a cutter, etc.

I hope we save that extension until the All-Star Break.

 

yup and San Antonio has to hope for another 30+ missed 3 pointers in a game to only win by 2 points with all their traditional defense going on...wild

 

Most of Harden's iso moves are designed to get him into a driving location and position. They are all combinable and simple so that he can just stack them together to get the defender off balance and then get past him.