I like him starting off with 3s, but if he misses 2-3 in a row, start driving. When he drives, try to get to the rim. If he beats his man and a big is waiting on him, go to the floater. If his man is on his side and the floater isn't an option, then do the drawback side-dribble and shoot the 12-15 footer. If double teamed, then go with a pin-point pass to the wing or the corner. Pretty simple & easy for the most efficient player on the planet.
I prefer the floater because it opens up the rest of Harden's game. We should also take a step back and appreciate all the weapons he has at his disposal on the offensive end.
@durvasa, you used to give us some insightful data analysis. Now you just settle for subjective opinions. When I clicked on this thread, I was expecting some data comparison.
I've seen a lot of teams double and triple Harden in the paint to prevent him scoring in the driving lane. Nice SF guarding his left, and a big man coming to help, he starts risking a TO on the pass-out, or getting blocked. If the refs ain't blowing their whistles, it's just frustrating. Hitting 3s just opens up that lane. A step-back mid-range jumper is also deadly, that can do a lot for us. Especially in the clutch.
Everyone here was calling the step-back three the next skyhook when it went in, now we want him to abandon it after a cold streak . If Harden has to take contested 3s, then I want him to be the very best at it. The floater is nice, but IDK exactly how efficient his floater is. 36% on Step-back 3s = 59% on floaters (although his FT rate would be higher, slightly compensating for the inefficiency. In General, Harden only shots 45% on shots from 3-10 feet out this year (which is a massive improvement on his 35% career average from there). It's alarming if Harden can't get to the rim anymore and has to rely on floaters, but if he's ever stopped before the rim, it's way better than him shooting 35%.
The floater - its MUCH more consistent, and is easy clean-up for our bigs. The step-back is awesome, but it's also a bit unnecessary in any high volume considering we're healthy. Give it to an open man. It should be happening less with CP3 mainly handling PG duties now anyways. Both are deadly, but if he can drive then it'll always be better, especially in the playoffs.
The floater please, but he's more worried about getting hurt. It's way more efficient than his 37% step back 3, doesn't get the offense out of rhythm, can still get an and 1, or he can just lob it up to Capela or Faried. The step back just looks more glamorous and takes less energy to execute. Perfect Harden move
37% from 3 is 55.5% TS. As of this year, Harden shoots 45% from 3-10 feet, and is fouled far more often when he drives all the way to the rim. I like the floater he's added, it gives him a not terrible shot if he can't get to the rim (shoots 35% from floater range for his career). And since he consistently shoots around 10-15% of his FG attempts from 3-10 feet, it's a necessary addition. I'm not concerned about Floater vs Step-back, I'm concerned about floater vs layup. As you said, Harden likes the step-back 3 because it's less demanding physically, yet you praise the floater over finishing at the rim, literally trading a efficient shot and/or a trip to the line for an easy shot where he avoids contact. If he can get it up to CP3 levels of floater efficiency (48-52% from ages 22-32), then I'd like it a lot more as he enters his 30s, but an aversion to finishing at the rim (combined with his lowest 0'-3' FG% since his rookie year) only raises red flags that Harden's athleticism is declining quickly, and its not going to be pretty a year or two from now.
step back 3 is his move and I don't mind it, but when points are a premium, I'll take my chances with the floater or the step back mid range. I'd rather him miss the floater/mid-range. The step back 3 almost bails out the defense and recently, he's had a couple of them blocked. It's so frustrating watching other teams go on large runs and all the Rockets do is jack up threes.
More going to the basket, as that truly plays into being a creator. From there, the floater, step back 2, pass to the corner, lob, etc are all available.
I went and looked through the play-by-play for the last 15 games. Obviously this doesn't cover the whole season but I didn't really feel like doing it for any longer. I did a search for the word "float" in the play-by-play, I'm not 100% sure how accurate those descriptions are of the shot types, but that's how I did it. Here are the stats - Hawks: 5/6 Lakers: 0/2 Wolves: 0/0 Mavs: 0/1 Thunder: 1/1 Kings: 0/2 Suns: 2/2 Jazz: 1/1 Denver: 0/1 Pelicans: 1/4 Magic: 2/5 Raptors: 6/8 Knicks: 0/1 76ers: 0/0 Lakers: 1/2 TOTAL: 19/36 = 52.7% Efficiency wise this is equal to a 35.2% shot from 3.
Interesting. Honestly, I thought it was an even higher percentage than that. I think overall it’s still a more efficient play, but it also requires him to get into the lane which requires more effort. The step back is (usually) a shot he can get whenever he wants.
It would be an interesting experiment to make that the number one option in his arsenal. I personally think he's a pass to the paint first point guard with the second option being his own drive. Third is that stepback 3. It would be really interesting to me to try to setup that floater play in/play out. Nice thread, man.
I was disappointed. But no need to say sorry. You don't owe me anything. It was a sincere comment about how I missed your old posting style. Our recent run-in in the Scott Foster thread was kind of the last straw of my disappointment. the irony is that I am usually on the other side (your side) of this kind of things (against blind defending of Harden, tired of fans complaining about officiating). I felt that you just threw up some assertions without giving rational evidence which I have come to expect from you. This thread would have been an excellent opportunity for bringing in some statistical analysis, rather than just "What do you like?" I don't have the access, skill, and time to do deep data dive. I appreciate it when people bring that to the forum.
