There are a couple of Harden threads already, but I don't see any of them focusing on this issue. If Clutch feels it's redundant, feel free to close it. First of all I like Harden, he's the best player on the team. Without him we wouldn't be in the playoffs. But our coach of the year candidate Mr. Mchale somehow thinks the Harden ISO is (one of) the most effective way to score. How many times do we see this right after the time out? No strategy at all, just pure iso. imo Harden is not a selfish player, so the coaching staff should take more blame. If you watch most of the rockets games this season, you know it's not working well. Most of Harden's points come off PnR (penetration, create FT, create chances for teammates), fast breaks and open threes. He's just not a good enough one on one player to get so many ISOs. 80% of the time he'll just step back and take a well defended shot. A high PnR for him is way better. So I would suggest we only use Harden iso in the following cases: 1. Harden got a mismatch 2. Harden is really hot 3. The last shot of the game/quarter, or when the clock is running down and we haven't really created anything. (but he can't hold the ball for 8s doing nothing) Other than these scenarios, no Harden ISO, we play team basketball. Of course if he improves his ball handling skills and adds more weapons to his 1 on 1 game (like post up as he's so strong), we can create more iso for him. He will have a mindset trying to prove himself when playing OKC. I hope it's a positive motivation, not more iso balls. For those who think this thread is a waste of your time, here are some stats how the refs helped Lakers in the playoffs push. I hope the spurs beat the hell out of them. http://www.blazersedge.com/2013/4/13/4219640/Los-Angeles-Lakers-playoffs-refs-referee-free-throws-officiating-conspiracy-nba
The problem isn't so much the iso play, but the limited options that come from it. -layup/foul attempt -Pass, mainly to 3 pt line -3 pointer. That's what happens 99% of the time. You guard him close and hope he still fires a bad 3. If he doesn't, he forces the drive. If the defending bigs just stay on their feet in the paint, Harden will pass or throw up a bad shot. Bigs just have to play the pass if he's outside of 5 feet and will turn it over or make a bad pass. He needs to mix in some mid range stuff and others have to move/cut. And maybe even more importantly, don't let the clock run down so much.
the coaching staff and team management believe the word iso is a dirty word and focuses on one player. we prefer the term, "stickyness" or "lack of ball movement"
Its not that complex harden just needs to make his move much quicker. Also wtf was harden yelling at his teammates about last night.
Obviously, Harden does not have the skill to shot behind a well defended shot. And Coach's only strategy is to give him the ball for ISO.
Im okay with harden iso plays to close out the 1st-3rd quarters with time running out. But.... it gets to predictable when he iso the last 4-5 possesions in the sun game. And in the Laker game, everyone knows the ball goes to him when the game is close and on the line. What im upset about, is that there's no adjustment to the tighter defense at the end of the game. Harden waits till the last 4 seconds before he tries to either make a move or pass it and it just kill the rhythm. Harden cant expect auto FT from refs late in the game. I dont think he's gotten any superstar calls in the last few games and so just forget about drawing contact.
Get another superstar and the iso will be money. Until then it isn't the best option for us down the stretch.
The Harden ISO is good if it's working. But if he starts bricking, then try something else. I really am hating all his dribble the shot clock down then pass it for a last sec shot to his teammate. It's not working anymore. If he wants to be recognized as a star then he must take all the responsibility and criticism that entails. No one is expecting us to win the OKC series. So Harden, play more team ball, ok? And Lin. keep the ball on more possessions. Don't keep passing it off esp when Harden is ice-cold
If his man made that 3 on the other end, I wouldn't doubt that whole sequence would've been its own thread.
"Whats wrong with the iso play the last 4 minutes of the game and into the overtime period" ..........said the sarcastic voice
First question, why are most of the ISO plays 2-5 ft away from half court line? That is just setting yourself up to be trapped if doubled. Most ISO plays that are effective are inside the elbow where if you have cutters, results in a nice layup or shot. Secondly, why give up the ball to someone with 3-6 seconds left to take a wild shot? Lastly, why is the coach a moron that does not know how to adjust to this? It is not like Mike Dantoni is a defensive genius - it is sad enough that they lost to the Lakers without Kobe and Nash.
That's what needs to be talked about. The flopping and complaining is getting ridiculous, mainly harden and Lin. They need to just play ball and quit trying to get bailed out.
