I recall that was the knock on the Chris Paul / James Harden Collaboration It is used to describe a host of players However. I think that the current definition is not nuanced enough Ball Dominant Player - Someone that needs to have the ball in his hands most of the time. As I watch Harden and Paul play - I realize that they are are not Ball Dominant in the sense that Westbrook is: I Think I allude to the fact that both play well off the ball More importantly. . . I think the biggest difference is that these two don't mind giving up the ball When I wonder how Paul/Westbroook/Melo will work out . . . It is because they do not like to pass the ball In other times where it didn't work out . . . one or all the players involved were either not willing passers or not good passers Watching Harden and Paul I don't think the term Ball Dominant Players fits what they are exactly. . . or not as it is applied to players like Westbrook. It just doesn't feel like the same type of players Rocket River
Harden can play like a shooting guard if he wants to. When he was on OKC, sure he handled the ball sometimes, but he was a pretty lethal spot up 3 point shooter. He was decently good at running around screens for open threes. His bread and butter back in the day was driving down the lane for layups off a catch, or a pull up midrange with a pick
Yeah but back then Durant and Westbrook drew so much attention, Harden got a lot more open shots and space. Now everyone keys in on Harden. I wish he would cut more or use off ball screens more, he was decently effective at it back then, he was never Klay Thompson.
Ball dominance seems to be confused with ball-hoggery. Most players who are "ball dominant" are so because they generally the best player on their team, and the ball should go to them instead of anyone else, however, when more talent is present, or he stops being the best player on his own team, he gives up the ball and assumes a secondary role (see: D-wade, circa 2010). Nash and Wade were both "Ball Dominant" because they were the best playmakers and/or had the best handles. They weren't selfish players (Wade averaged nearly 7 APG during his prime). A Ball hog is typically one who refuses to give up the ball, regardless of the talent around them. Typically due to a lack of a jump-shot, height, BBIQ, or athleticism (see: J. Ferdette) they cannot play off the ball and remain productive, as spot up 3s and cuts to the rim don't agree with their skill set. In the case of CP3, he has the jumper and ability to finish inside, so he is viable for an off-ball role, but when he and Harden are in the game, you mostly see Chris handle the ball to give Harden an easier shot through his playmaking, or one of the two simply provides more spacing. I would like to see more CP3 to Harden action, I know that nearly 4 of his assists per game are to Harden, but I think the Pistol as well as the Spain P&R need to dominate the offense.
