That is a fair point. At this point quadruple teaming him would be justifiable. What I took issue with was the assumption that the Rockets role players couldn't produce if they were given open looks when the ball was forced away from Harden.
Denver has been defending Harden the same way ever since Malone became coach there. Harden kills them every damn time. I don't watch the inside nba tv crew as a hard rule, but if Kenny's solution is to simply double team him, Kenny hasn't been paying attention. I know, total shocker. It's not like coaches haven't been trying that for several seasons at this point, it's just that it doesn't tend to work out very well for them when they employ that strategy.
I thought Denver actually played Harden well for the most part, the Rockets just hit a lot of their 3's. There are nights when they miss them too. we won by 13 points - it's only 4 threes difference and it's a very different game. This is why we need CP3 back.
yep, and this is why teams keeps fouling him... its a win win for any team ... they know their best chance is for refs to swallow the whistle.. and if the right calls are made just act as if surprised and got robbed... and oh well of course its not their fault the refs fell for hardens cheap tactics he is well known flopper and cheater....
Harden and Capela combined for 63 points. Add Nene, and it’s 68 points. Don’t know how anyone can say giving up that many points to PnR/ISO, yet leaving three point shooters incredibly wide open so often is defending us well. That’s just a recipe for getting blown out, which is what happened. You want to know how many times the Rockets have lost when Harden and Capela combine for 50 or more points, with 47 3pt Attempts in regulation...no matter how many we make? Not 63 points, but just 50 or more Just once, and it required Atlanta to have that 20pt comeback in the last 6 minutes by Hardaway Jr going crazy. Nobody beats us with that defense Denver tried. You can’t give up 47 3PA and also fail to stop Capela. In fact, many times we lose on 47 3FA is because either Harden or Capela was out. We’ve only lost 11 games when being open enough to shoot 47 threes. In 5 of those games, either Harden or Capela was out. We don’t even need Paul and Gordon to beat that lousy defensive strategy. Since MDA, When we shoot 47 3s IN regulation, we are 36-11, we’ve on been beaten 6 times when both Harden and Capela play. Those 6 losses are about stopping Capela and Harden and forcing us to make our threes. You can’t give up both.
You left out the part where Harden STILL put up crazy numbers while everyone was eating! But you're spot on!!!
What is amazing is how the media really doesn't talk about Harden's passing skill. There is focus on FOULS, and STEPBACKS etc. But his PASSING is a huge part of his game. And he is top end elite at it. Never gets discussed as it should.
How dumb can he be?!?......He had a front row seat to what happens when you double the best player in the league. The only reason he has championship rings is because teams doubled Hakeem...
Ugh these guys. Oh no! Not HANDCHECKING! The rules didn't allow the physicality that old heads would have you believe. What we have now are stricter punishments/less lenience in the wake of Malice in the Palace. Harden would destroy the 90's as well. He uses a defenders physicality to his advantage as well as anyone.
