Contrary to popular belief (on clutchfans), Howard is not allergic to the PnR. He just plays it "selfishly" (best word I can think of). Howards main goal in the PnR is to lose his own man on defense, not get the ball handler free. Therefore, you will see him set weak screens or very often fake setting a screen. The only purpose of this is to make his defender momentarily switch focus to the ball handler to see if he needs to adjust on defending the pick. Howard then immediately rolls to the basket in an attempt to get a step ahead. He's been playing the PnR like this for a long time and with great success. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/G3vQyxcGARg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Unfortunately, this style of play makes it difficult on the ball handler, because he's not really getting much of a pick to work with. He needs good driving skills and good passing skills to get Howard the ball in the small window when he's open. So far, Harden is the only player who is capable of running it consistently. Harden is unstoppable on the drive even in isolation mode, so it only gets better with the addition of Howard. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DMgU-A82018" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> 0:20 harden 0:23 harden 1:50 parsons 2:44 harden 2:57 harden 3:57 harden 4:32 harden 4:44 lin 6:40 harden Lin is sometimes able to run the PnR with Howard. He has the quick first step, but he's easy to jam in the lane. What he does sometimes is cross over on Dwight, forcing his defender to run into Dwight a second time to get more space. I think this is why Jones/Lin has a better PnR chemistry, because Jones sets normal picks. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/GkdAHlAji8s" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> 0:15, 6:55 Parsons doesn't really have the driving ability of Lin or Harden, so the attempt often fails, because Parsons can't get ahead of his defender with the weak Howard picks. Also, his passing ability isn't as good either, so sometimes he's just not able to get the pass through. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Yl6l33a9oDQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> 0:49 can't drive through. 1:06 didn't get the pass off, but Parsons had a good look too. This might be the reason we don't see Howard PnR as often. Harden is the only one who is in sync with Howard on these plays. With practice and coaching, we can get more of our guards involved in the Howard PnR.
I do prefer if he sets harder screens once in a while, like Asik, which frees up the ball handler completely. From 1:47 onwards you could see the type of screens that Asik sets. <iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9ynuAq7UTXQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> Howard needs to be more patient in his pick, since he often seems to roll far too quickly. When he does that, the ball handler either doesn't get the space he needs to create plays or he gets called for moving picks.
Some good observations. I'm not really sure what to make of his screen game. I would say it has been effective at times but not nearly as much as I had anticipated. I assumed before the season the PnR with him and Harden would be completely unstoppable.
If you look at the Linsanity period. Lin's production dropped when Studemire came back. He does the same soft screen Howard does, which often allows the 2 defensive players to trap the ball handler. Chandler sets hard screens like Asik, and Lin's performance jumped. Hopefully we see Asik do the same to Lin here.
Considering how efficient Harden and Lin are at PnR scoring, I definitely would like to see Howard set better screens, he's not playing in Orlando anymore.
It is amazing how infrequently we utilize the PnR with Dwight. I went from thinking the PnR was going to be our bread & butter before the season started to where we are now with essentially a post up player. But, hey, we're winning and Dwight is beasting it out there. Not being overly critical, just making an observation.
Howard is looking to get the pass and dunk on the PnR. He's not trying to free the ball handler. I'm not even saying this is a bad thing, but we can't complain that Howard isn't making PnRs, when in fact it's our guards who can't execute with the style that he's having success with in Orlando. People have learned by now not to switch on Howard or double up on the ball handler. If Howard sets a hard screen, his defender will catch up and run under him to cut off the roll lane and prevent the ball handler from driving. If Howard rolls meanwhile, he'll get called for a moving screen. Everyone knows to give up the jump shot for Howard, he can't even make free throws.
Rolling early is a tactic to counter the defense. His defenders shows and he is already gone and under the basket. If the defender doesn't show, you set the pick hard and create the shot for the ball handler.
So, since Harden doesn't need solid screens to be effective, it makes even more sense to pair Lin and Asik with the 2nd unit?
considering that Howard is one of the most efficient roll man in the NBA, and roll men normally finish more efficiently than ball handlers, it makes sense that Howard is looking to the finisher.
Man this post just makes me think if Asik can buy in that 2nd unit would be arguably the best 2nd unit in the NBA.
No, Howard just needs to set better screens. That half-assed @#$# works against all but 5 or 6 teams, but everything needs to be on point against the teams that matter. Indiana Memphis (if they make it back into the playoffs with Gasol back) OKC Miami (when they start trying) Maybe even Golden state with Iggy back
I have brought this up in some other threads but Howard sets lazy picks. He is much more interested in the "Roll" part of the PnR then the "Pick" part. McHale needs to set him down to watch some film of the old Jazz Malone/Stockton PnR's because he could put up Karl Malone like numbers consistently if he would buy into the PnR and set good picks that free up himself AND THE BALL HANDLER!! Lazy picks and an ugly post game are my only complaints about him so far.
Yeah, I agree. It's almost as if Dwight let it be known that's not his game. PnR's seem to come off-the-cuff and while the defense is still in transition, rarely in a set offense or late in the shot clock.
While I agree that the Stockton/Malone PnR is the gold standard, a number of those old school picks would be whistled now. Malone was a big body and he knew how to use those shoulders and hips in ways that would generate offensive fouls now. And don't get me started on the punk*** back pick screens in the lane Stockton used to get away with. Dwight does need to solidify this though. He shouldn't always have to set a rock solid pick to free the ball handler but it would be nice to have it in his arsenal.
Pretty much. Orlando Dwight was basically all PnR. Last year with Asik we were mostly PnR. I just figured would 1+1 would equal 2. I also figured Dwight's comments about wanting to be more of a post up player were in response to the critics (mainly Shaq) that continually try to discredit him on the offensive end of the floor. Apparently, he was serious. But, again, we're winning and Dwight is beasting it. Carry on!
Rockets have two great centers who have different skills and abilities. One is better positionally, one is better at blocking shots. Such a huge advantage in today's NBA
Howards style of PnRs has worked for him. It's what got him the numbers in Orlando. Instead of making Howard change, I think we need to make our guards learn how to play it instead.
