No it definitely isn't stereotypical. Off ball movement makes defenses make more mistakes. They have to fight through more screens. They have to make more decisions on whether they have to go under, over or switch on screens. More decisions in a possession by a defense increases the chances of more mistakes and more easy plays such as back door cuts for the offense Also, if you ever played db in football or just played defense in basketball, you would know it takes more energy to defend than be on the offensive side mostly because defenders have to anticipate movements while the offensive player already knows where they are going. When you anticipate movements, you have to constantly correct yourself while maintaining balance. In the half court, you also have to fight through screens which requires more energy than setting them. Harden's style of offense eliminates that advantage. Defenders can stand. They don't have to fight through screens nearly as much. They also have a lower probability of making a quick mental mistake. And since the Rockers play some of the most stationary style of offense in NBA history, throughout the course of a game, the offense that moves off ball more is gaining a net advantage in energy conservation. The opponent has to exert less energy on defense than the Rockets do when they have to play defense which has a effect on how the teams play late in the 4th. In a way, Harden's style of offense these past two seasons allows opponents to exert more energy for their offense making defense just that much harder for a group that already struggles on defense.
I don't feel like the issue is MDAs offense, which has proven to be one of the best wherever he goes. Now, he's not blameless in this. He should play Hartenstein a lot more, numbers say that, eye test says it, Hart should get more run... But we just don't have the talent to really capitalize off of it outside of Harden, Ego, Westbrook...Capela sometimes... Tucker is playing way too many minutes and sometimes completely out of position... Bmac is a decent depth player, probably shouldn't be starting... House, right now, is one of the worst forwards in the game, getting too many minutes, Rivers is fine, he is what he is...after that... So basically the Rockets go 5 deep right now. Harden, Westbrook, Tucker, Capela, Ego...the rest of these guys are very very replaceable.
Right it's like Caron Butler said about playing with James. Players dont want to just play hard on defense, stand around on offense and run up and down the court all game. They want to play basketball, not run track.
Tweet from @Hou5ton4L: Russell “Best player on the Rockets” Westbrook in his last 5 games: 32.4 PPG 7.8 REB 9.2 AST 55 FG% Team record is 1-4 because James Harden reeks https://t.co/B2W223RmE1
This just proves we cannot win without Harden carrying and shooting somewhat decent. Westbrook had 24 shots and he only scored 32 points. Yeah, he shot well and whatnot. But 2pt makes are not enough. If Harden shoots around 24 shots and shoots decently, you know damn well he's scoring 40 to 50 points. We're missing Harden's 3pt makes. I am not blaming Westbrook. I'm simply stating.... without Harden carrying and his 3pt makes, we're not going to win games consistently. It's not a coincidence since Harden's gone on this shooting slump that we've started losing more games.
We actually just needed harden to play ok. Remember the team was up 15 points. Also, harden would be much better averaging 25-30 points, playing at a faster pace, putting more effort on D, and moving off ball.
Moving off the ball wouldn't work for Harden. He'll still get the most attention. It may work 1 or 2 times, but he'll still get the most attention. He's never going to get the space you guys are talking about. He's too dangerous to leave open when he's hot. Besides, we don't have the team to play a pass and move style of basketball. I'm talking in general with Harden's 3pt makes. We need his 3pt makes the majority of the time to win us games.... otherwise we'll struggle to close a game out or we'll get blown out. Besides, if Harden's shooting was okay.... we would have been up by 30 and we wouldn't have lost the game. It Harden only shoots around 5 for 17 from the 3pt tonight, that's 12 extra points.... which means we comfortably win the game.
Once again clowns on this site making excuses for Harden, everyone else in the world “ Harden loss Houston this game”
No one has shown up for the Rockets is the last several games but Russ can’t win games. It’s like he never made the playoffs in OKC. Smh
Yea it is. You can definitely win having little off ball movement. Lebron's Cavs didnt have as much movement as your talking about and they still won. We didnt have much ball movement last year and still almost beat the GOAT team. Yea ive played ball, and you know what turnovers happen a lot more with ball movement too, the more passing you have, the better the chances of turnovers are as well. We've been top 2 in offensive rating the past 4 years, we literally have empirical evidence of our strategy working. Your argument doesnt hold up.
LeBron Cavs still moved way more than the rockets. No one says be the warriors, but at least move a little bit to get easier baskets
Dude....it was one game..without our second best player ....against a 73 win team plus Kevin Durant, I shoulndt have to say anything more after this.
