Iso can work...but not as often as we use it. Eventually you keep going to it and it becomes one on five. That means you ISO harden at the top of the key...but 10 eyes are reading and watching him. I don't have a problem with it...but when they just go to it...over and over and over again it's way too easy to stop. Once he gets past his man the bigs are just going to sink in and clog the lane. You may get another wing player swiping at the ball (we see this alot on his TOs) but never really commit. It's so easy to guard and play defense like this. It's better to ISO when he has a mismatch. Because then the defense is in this constant state of panic of "Is someone going to switch or help!?!?" and that can open up things...but if it's just straight give him the ball and ISO over and over then of course it's going to fail.
I think Harden iso's a lot more when they aren't giving him the foul on the drive. He used to average 12-13 FTAs per game because teams could not stop him without fouling him. The Rockets do two things, drive and shoot threes. If they drive and get to the line then that forces teams to sag off and opens up the three point game. If they play tight and they get fouled all the way to the basket and on the layup attempt then the Rockets don't know what to do. They start jacking up shots hoping that will work, but it doesn't because the defense already knows they can play tight and foul inside if they drive. Defense and rebounding is the only way to win without the officials. That followed by an excellent mid range game (which is what McGrady and Kobe used to do).
I don't get why Harden ISO is run so much. He doesn't have the quickness or first step to blow by most defenders...it almost always ends with Harden doing a few through the legs dribbles at the top of the key leading into a contested step-back 3 pointer that he misses more often than makes. That or as we've seen far too often he'll pass it off to a teammate with 3 seconds left after he's dribbled out the entire shot clock. Why not simply give Harden a screen at the top of the key or run high pick-and-roll? That would allow him to get a much better % shot.
Harden ISO isn't a problem. The problem is how much Harden ISO there is. It has become so prevalent that the Rockets have become extremely predictable. The Rockets should run an actual offense and let Harden get his in the flow of the offense. Harden should iso when the play breaks down or on last second shots/plays at the end of a quarter
Here's the thing, aside from the ISO with 0:15 to go in OT the Rockets did not call an isolation a single time in the 4th quarter or OT. Execution wasn't good, plays got busted, Lakers switched some ball-screens, Harden and Parsons waved off ball-screens once or twice -- but not a single called isolation.
The Rockets have one of the most unpredictable offense in the league while Harden ISO is the most predictable play, we should use less of it especially when OKC has elite perimeter defender and shot-blocker.
Harden has the ability to knock down ISO shots, because he is a very good offensive player. However, the ISO shot is still a low percentage shot for him. He is most dangerous in transition and when he makes moves quickly early in the shot clocks. This team can only afford a couple of ISO plays each games, and dribbling down the shot clock should never be a play used throughout the quarter.
if harden iso...but atleast make the iso quicker, do your move or attack quicker, DO NOT HOLD THE BALL FOR 16 SECONDS THEN ATTACK/SHOOT OR PASS THE WAY TO LIN OR PARSONS WITH 4-6 SECONDS LEFT TO DO SOMETHING...thats just bad basketball, not enough time for lin or parsons or whoever on the rockets to make a play, Lin and Parsons are no Kobe and Jordan
Why will the iso be money if there is another superstar? So instead of iso-ing Harden all day long, iso that another superstar all day long and pray for the best? Not unless that said another superstar is a Lebron or Durant I am afraid.
Even though we had a field day blasting McHale's ISO game plan but I think in reality, McHale was just having Harden initiate plays. During 4th qtr of Lakers game, I saw many time Harden was looking at teammates movements. That tells me he was looking to pass on several possession. The reason the possession always ended up Harden ISO is that Harden either made decision too late or teammates weren't wide open enough. What he needs is to trust his teammates. Even if his pass doesn't lead directly to points, there would be more opportunity to break down the defense. Lin in this case makes better decision than Harden given the situation. I think it’s all mentality. If Harden can improve this area, this team will be dangerous. I’m sure Morey also considers hockey passes that leads to assists in his advanced stats.
What difference does it make whether they call an iso play or not? Regardless of what happened, most of the plays ended up being an iso type play. Bottom line is Rockets will get swept if they continue to use Harden iso type plays. Too much driving to the hole and drawing a foul - we won't get those calls in the playoffs.
Harden ISOs are really just the result of having a very basic offensive system. The team runs around, moves the ball from side to side, but if there is not an open lane or wide open three, the ball is swung back to the top of arc to Harden with about 8 seconds left.
b****ing about Harding taking the ball to the rack, is like b****ing about a swimsuit model showing too much body. You're doing it wrong.
When Harden scores or draws a foul, it's brilliant. When neither happens, we're fu*ked. What do you suggest?
^That. He'd pass if someone actually cut to the basket, but everyone just goes stagnant like they think it's his show.
Harden's ISO is unnecessary and chemistry killer, it disrupts a team's offense when the ball doesn't move, but all the blame should lie on McFail for continuing to burden Harden with it.
