The reason for Harden's drop in production is - Harden clearly wants out. It's hard to be 100% driven and motivated to perform at an elite level when that's the case. Wall (historically) who is even more ball dominant than WB is a terrible fit next to Harden. This team is terrible defensively. It's tough to not be deflated when you're getting blown out in the first half. Other factors include lack of team cohesion, new system and being out of shape.
LOL I knew this was gonna happen! Everyone b*tching about motion offense, mid range jumpers, and god knows what else. Now that we're getting our ass kicked, everyone wants the ball in Harden's hands. ****ing knew it With all that said, the real reason why we aren't winning is that teams have found an effective way to counter Harden's isos. 1) They run a Box and 1 when he runs the offense. Two top defenders sag off their man and can help left or right, defender guarding Harden overplays the step back. 2) If somehow Harden gets a favourable iso on a pick and roll, they immediately double team/trap and force him to get rid of it. No one else on the team is good enough to consistently punish the advantage situation. This is why Harden's scoring went from 39 PPG over the first few months of the year to less than 30 PPG for the second half. He's just that good that teams are willing to sacrifice their defense in order to stop them, and we don't have enough efficient scoring ability outside of Harden to discourage the defense from ganging up on James.
Offense is not fluid and TO prone, especially against this Laker's team. If spacing is poor because of lack of outside threat, it won't matter if it's Wall passing or Harden passing. Our defense is so reach-in centric. Sometimes it pays off but often not. It was very apparent the way Refs are calling fouls on them. Is the League soft? Yes. But if you don't find ways to adapt, defend without fouling, you're going to get left behind. Move your feet, hands straight up, let them make the shot instead of bailing them out with fouls. Schroder is kryptonite against this Rockets team. Nightmare matchup last year in OKC playoffs, no doubt Vogel saw this when he scouted during playoffs; was so impressed that he tells his GM to sign him.
Nope. I’d go the opposite direction and trade him. Time to move on and let players who want to be out there play.
I really want to see how Harden flourishes on his new team. He could be a dynamite 6th man on a contender, where he takes full charge of the offense off the bench against the opposing team’s bench. Like a rich man’s Lou Williams. Wouldn’t have to worry about clashing with other ball-dominant players. It will be exciting to see.
Silas has to do something The first thing is our starting line up is wack Nwaba should have been yanked after last game. Why is Cousins not starting? The Rockets probably have not practiced as much has he liked but doesn't look like they have at all. Alot of hesitancy and confusion. We not playing for the 3 or the layup What is our ideal shot???? The 3 ball has gone to hell.... if it drops we look unstoppable. Rocket River
Cousins is not starting because he is a shell of his former self. Teams are letting Cousins beat us. He is not the old Boogie.
Oh and @DaDakota Silas doesn't need to make it his team. Tillman has obviously made it Patrick Fertitta's team.
