Scroll up and look at my post of 4th Q stats in close games. I know you're trying to say something positive, but it actually reads like they have chemistry problems. Actually, their absolute best vs their careers is when they are both playing together. So, to say they are at their best alone, is wrong. If you think about it, that belief is why ppl said it wouldn't work. You're saying Harden is worse than last year when Paul is sharing the court Paul is worse than ever when sharing court with Harden But when they are playing alone, they make up for it None of that makes sense, because they are proving sharing the court with another superstar playmaker in this specific MDA offense makes it very easy for both. This is why misuse of stats can be bad for your health. The lineup stats when they play alone are also when they are both playing against 2nd Units and/or against teams resting one of their key players as well. Paul and Harden only play together when the other team ALSO has their key starters in the game.
Which post? The 130+ in the last two games of 4th quarter or something to that effect? I wasn't actually using any stats, just common sense. Paul and Harden are both point guards and fantastic passers. They both can also score, Harden better at it than Paul. So when they are both on the floor, only one can pass at a time, so naturally they have to limit themselves because there is only one ball -- that isn't to say they aren't playing supremely well together, or that one is bad when their both on the court, I'm just recognizing that skill wise, they can't play at their full potential together -- 80% potential together is still better than like 95% of the league. What I meant by playing at their full potential when they are alone, I mean that they now have 100% control of the ball and can use their point guard skills to use. They have to change their game a bit when they are together, much like if you had 3 amazing shooters on the team, you couldn't possibly give each shooter enough attention to get the MOST out of them, but when you have them on the court together for a little bit, and then you stagger them afterwards, you get their absolute best. Does that make more sense?
This is why it's so annoying when people on television prop up CP3 to bash Harden saying the net rating is better when Harden sits and CP3 is decimating second units. Media still thinks CP3 and Harden aren't jelling because the net rating is worse. These guys aren't watching the games! These last couple fourth quarters, with James Harden and CP3, have been great; they can play together and are leading the Rockets to impressive comeback wins.
Yeah I sort of have to disagree with the bolded part. The reason they are both having such insanely productive seasons, is precisely because they don't have the ball in their hands all the time. When they are on the court together they are not being overused because they switch off running the offense. And because D'A staggers them, they are always well rested. Which means when they do have the ball, they can maintain maximum effort at all times. The Rox are destroying people in the 4th Q because the opposition is fricken TIRED from the never-ending HOF PG assault the Rockets lay on them. Also, don't underestimate the fun factor. Both Harden and CP3 have said they love playing off the ball sometimes and watching each other work. Not only are they physically well rested, but they are mentally sharp because they don't have the full load of running the team on their back 100% of the time. D'A + Morey Genius I tell you...
