ClutchFans Game Thread: Raptors @ Rockets 1/25/2019

Harden's floater is the new layup!

 

The Bucks game has a big fat asterisk next to it though. No CP3 or Gordon. Hell, no Faried either now that he's been added.

 

But the point remains, they had Capela in the dunker spot. We have seen this before with Utah and the Spurs. Good defensive teams can gum up the works in the lane. The Floater HAS to be weaponized.

 

That's where CP3's midrange shot makes a huge difference.

 

Forever?

 

No doubt. But that doesn't mean Harden can't take those floaters. He needs that shot in his bag so when he has the ball (which is most of the time) he has something he can go to if the defense plays that way.

Harden's bag
1) Cross over & start and stop drives
2) Step-back shot
3) Drive for lob or pass to the corner
4) The Floater

He needs the entire BAG. The counters to the counters.

 

Harden's floater is money! I am surprised that he did not use it more often.

 

It’s really not been a shot Harden hits well in years prior. It is yet another example of Harden adding to his skill set consistently year over year.

 

It is astonishing that this season, Harden has added step back three AND floater to his game!

 

The rules also agree with you.

The passer (Eric) would tally the turnover not Tucker.

 

Why was harden frustrated with Faried on that final possession before halftime? We got an open 3 from Gordon on the wing. I wonder what went wrong?

 

He forgot the inbound play and did something out of his role. It went well at the end but could have went bad, just like Chriss taking the corner three. Sometimes it will go in but its bad play anyway

 

I thought this was going to be a clip of Harden throwing elbows in transition. Refs tend to let those go a lot.

 

Couldn't agree more. I know it's a difficult shot, but Harden's step back is a lot more challenging, in my humble opinion. If James works on his floater as much as he's worked on his step back, not to mention his other weapons, and really becomes proficient with it, he'll drive defenses mad. Mad as in absolutely nuts.

 

1 harden is also guilty of this often and losses the ball accentuating the foul which the refs end up not calling anyway ( kinda like what happened when they trapped him in the clutch last night)
so when you have the ball take care of it dont just assume the refs will do their job, dont even go into situations where youll find yourself at their mercy

2 many players take unnecessary risk on offense initiating contact (kinda what austin rivers did when lowry flopped) .. the defender benefits from the risk of initiating contact because the refs call may go to his benefit and the ball will change the possession...but the offensive player should avoid unnecessary contact at any cost because he already has the ball and nothing to benefit from contact...austin had nothing to benefit from initiating the contact and everything to lose.. that was plain unnecessary and not smart.. again, dont give the refs chance to screw you

3 also another thing which rockets dont quite get is if the refs have called a doubtful call at one end of the floor, let say refs called other teams player for a charge, pay attention on the next possession(!!) and dont take unnecessary risk (even if what youre doing is not technically a foul) because the refs are looking for the makeup call eg be very careful and demonstrative(of not fouling) when setting a pick because they are looking for anything to make the makeup call....it doesnt have to be a foul just a suspicious pick and they will call it...

 

Nate Duncan is a CBA capologist nerd. That play was midpost. It's quite common in the midpost. Watch Cousins. defenders use forearms as well. Defenders are allowed to shove back with one arm where Harden was doing that.

Even on perimeter, defenders are allowed to push their forearms against the hips of drivers (I collect photos of this, just ask for proof). To counter, we allow the dribbler to use forearm, too.

It's funny, since he admits all that is legal, I use those plays to counter the argument that hand-checking would stop Harden...obviously it won't. Conversely Harden whiners are saying how this shouldn't be allowed, yet will claim Harden couldn't succeed in other eras.

 

Manimal home cooking in the first game. HustlenMuscle


MVBeard Harden dem floaters

 

back 2 back shaq'n a fool duo PJ & EG

 

He'd a better switch defender than Capela on the perimeter. Not real close.

And Capela is that much better than him defending the low post....which still isn't saying much positive.