If the point is at times we need to mix things up, then he's absolutely right. But ultimately, you cannot out-Warrior the Warriors. We cannot beat them playing the same way, involving a lot of ball movement, cutting, etc. Harden and Paul are not very good at that to begin with, and the only system that saw any degree of success against the Warriors in a playoff series is ISO-ball by 2016 Thunder and Cavs. We will 100% lose if we suddenly start emulating the Warriors system, because they have way better players suited to play like that. We don't.
The iso is super effective... butttt...... it could come back to bite us in the arse if those shots arent falling. I just hope this magical season keeps on getting better and better.
great......and I don't think some people also don't understand how good and versatile the Rockets are on both ends of the floor. Warriors are Warriors....but the Rockets are a handful and will be tough for the Warriors to beat 4 times. Rockets are just the better team.
Yes,I do understand this, which is why Klay Thompson post-ups are plan Z for them, which is why I think your characterization of them is somewhat misplaced. Curry is basically a spectator on these plays. I like it.
It's funny because Chris Webber was screaming at Minnesota whenever Towns or Taj Gibson was being defended by Harden or Tucker - it's not like they're the best 2 post defenders on the team or anything. Sure, throw the Rockets into that briar patch.
Curry creates space when the Warriors go into post up sets...except when Livigston Post Up for an 8 foot shot over a player the size of Jason Terry or Prigioni. Curry as a spot up shooter needs to remain covered. Here are their numbers from Regular season to Playoffs the last two years. Player.........................freq......................ppp.........................................freq...................ppp Reg season (16/17).......................................................Playoffs (16/17) Durant.......................7.0%.....................0.89........................................9.7%.................1.21 Klay...........................2.1%.....................0.73........................................3.3%.................1.11 Livingston................15.0%....................0.83........................................19.7%................1.00 West.........................23.3%....................0.80.......................................19.4%................1.00 Regular season (17/18)...................................................Playoffs (17/18) Durant.......................8.7%......................0.97.......................................3.8%..................1.67 Klay...........................4.0%......................0.81.......................................4.1%..................1.20 Livingston.................15.4%.....................0.97......................................*9.1%..................0.91 West.........................18.3%....................0.86.......................................*6.1%..................1.00 Popovich game schemed against the Post Up play (mismatches) from game 1....Especially without Curry. Notice Livingston, West and Durant Post Up frequency dropped vs the Spurs with no Curry. West at 6% and Livingston dropped to 9%. I watched that series.....I often saw Ginobli on Livingston (since Livingston can’t shoot) focusing in on taking away drives.
Well said. I will also reiterate that the Rockets have far more shooters/weapons than GSW. Warriors are top heavy (albeit very good). When CP3/Harden are trapped or doubled, the luxury is they will likely have 3-4 other guys on the floor to pass to that our legitimate 3-point threats. I expect EGO to have a good series against GSW. Heck, I can even see Ryno gettin 2-3 3pt makes per game in that series (if the Rockets get there). The Rockets' full squad along with its defensive versatility is the trademark and possibly blueprint to run through the Warrior en route to a title. Warriors don't have a Jimmy Butler nor Utah physicality on defense that will wear down the Rockets as much as the first 2 rounds in my opinion. I just don't see a series vs the Warriors to be a physical grind like a series with Utah and to an extent T-Wolves.
I would love if the outcome of Curry's return is that the Warriors go into posting up 10% or more of the time. That would be just awesome!
I saw. It as well. From game 1 they had CP3 pinned under the rim. CP3 was dead in the water. But they are pathetic in a Post Up game. Webber wasn’t the only one that saw it. Every commentator saw it. Houston made an adjustment from game 2 on. CP3 released on the bigger player and rotated to the nearest high perimeter shooter while a bigger player drops down to cover the big guy headed to the post up box. KAT sucked at taking advantage of it. If you are honest you will admit all the pundits saying “What are you doing?” “Why did you exit and go out to the perimeter after getting the favorable mismatch on CP3 in the post?” Because KAT sucks at posting up and Thibs is dumb. What I am saying is that there is a counter to the way Houston is “now” defending CP3 in the post (Rockets run CP3 out to the perimeter instead). I don’t want to discuss it since there are opposing spies everywhere. I’m just going to leave it at that.
That's a very big "IF" and much easier said than done. What would you say the Warriors would/could do to viably shut down the ISO the entire series? Harden is the best in history and CP3 is pretty awesome himself. Their identity is largely predicated on Harden/CP3s all-world ability to ISO. They are very good at it.
Not really. It’s why we employ a switch everything defense. We specifically and strategically switch everything every time to combat what the warriors do. All the cuts and motion from a motion based offense is to create confusion and missed rotations. With a switch everything defense you don’t get lost hardly and the rotations are usually made. Which is why we employed and dedicated the entire season to yell, touch and switch. Every switch they yell it out, they then touch the guy they are switching with and ultimately switching. It’s why all year they have been preaching communication.
I could tell you what I would do...but I better not. I made that mistake on another site and then saw a team use the same tactic against the Rockets. I dont want to help other teams, if they figure it out on their own....more power to them. Too many spies posing as trolls. Like ballscientist1
I think we need to be open to midrange for Harden and Paul only if the defense is switching everything like we do. Otherwise, we've done well with this formula. Even then, Harden is an elite one-on-one guy that can do it all, and we just wait until we get a favorable matchup if they opt to switch everything. CP3 obviously has midrange game.
Just another tidbit @SamFisher What the success rate on teams running iso' s? Times are a changing when two teams run a play type that many seem worthless. Post Ups vs mismatch creating cutters opening up 3-pt shooters and iso's vs mismatch and opening up 3-point shooters. Same s*** different cows
https://stats.nba.com/teams/isolation/?sort=Time&dir=1 Rockets run ISO 14% of the time, and lead the NBA in 1.06 PPP. Harden alone scores 1.21 PPP during these playoffs.
i recall Cleveland coming back from 3-1 isoing curry to death. once you find a weakness you continue to go at it no matter what
Yes I’m aware of that.....I posted the same stat in post #35 earlier. What’s your point? In the regular season the Rockets ran iso to lead the NBA @ a 14.5% clip and 1.12 ppp. Are you suggesting that the T-Wolves defense is greater than the Warriors?
