Interesting read regarding last nights game. http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=truehoop&id=65398&src=desktop
I read the article but the title(of the article) isn't completely accurate. Inside the author says that in the end Rockets took 2 mid-range attempts. Last year Harden did the same against Cleveland,Oklahoma,san antonio etc ... What i did like more , was that they run some plays and then Harden (as a last resort) took the shot.
good read. zach lowe agrees <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Pet peeve: when every 1-on-1 play is classified as "hero ball," regardless of set-up. <a href="https://twitter.com/kevinarnovitz">@kevinarnovitz</a> is on the $: <a href="http://t.co/LKOQfhwlCZ">http://t.co/LKOQfhwlCZ</a></p>— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZachLowe_NBA/statuses/423822742282969088">January 16, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I disagree that it's "as a last resort". The Rockets get a lot of crap for "not running any plays", but if you actually watch the offense off-ball they're constantly running different sets. They may not be fully contained plays with the sole purpose of freeing up a single guy in a particular spot, but they're a series of checks and rub screens and whatnot that give the ballhandlers decisions and flexibility. The "play" this time was always to get Harden the ball, matched up with Lin's defender. So in that sense, they ran all that action on the two possessions and both plays were successful, because they achieved exactly what they wanted. It definitely wasn't a last resort. For everyone that hates Harden ISOs, it's pretty apparent that the management and coaching staff believe in the results, because they just ran a whole bunch of action to get him the ball 1 on 1 with the defender they want on him on two consecutive possessions.
Well yea... the end of quarter ISOs are pretty brutal, but I'm more referring to the general consensus that the Rockets never run any plays.
It's fine to not have mid range most of your game, but while your shots aren't falling and you trailing, or during clutch you are trailing, high percentage mid range shots should be inserted to stay in the game.
Exactly and i don't the use the phrase " last resort" with a bad intention. Harden MUST have the ball in his hands in the end but they should move it around first. I don't trust anyone more than Harden at the end of the game. The play when Harden draw the foul(0.57) was a last resort because they had not time . The step back jumper was a well-designed play.
the reason that is a midrange shot is because you aren't going to get to the rim with the defense playing that and they are playing with such intensity it's hard to even get a jumper. You can't fake a drive and then have enough pop to hit a 3 on the perimeter. A guy isn't going to play the drive so hard when you are that far out and you have to use a lot of muscle on the ensuing shot if you get it. But from the midrange, the guy has to respect the drive because there's less time for help if you get beat, and you don't need to put that much on the shot to hit it. So it's clear an example of how the midrange game is critical in the NBA.
Well done by an uncoached or is that poorly coached squad? KMc may not be Pop but perhaps he also isn't poop.
The live/die by the three and 'midrange' game thing is so disturbing and stupid. Over the course of a game, you want to be within 6 foot or beyond the arc, because they are the best statistical shots, it's a fact that cannot be argued. But this whole 'Houston needs a mid-range' thing is dumb. With the game on the line, where 1 shot wins, you don't want to take a three, because inside the arc is an easier shot to hit.... Duh, it's closer to the bucket. Sure you would rather it be a layup, but the D isn't going to allow that. Harden has a mid range, most players can hit the shot, but while the game is in flow, it's better to be behind the arc. With 1 play left on a tie game tho?
That might be a good idea, if it were possible to get " high percentage mid range shots". It's a proven fact that you can't get them consistently.
our strongest moments come from moving the ball and pick and roll/screens. it's no coincidence that the teams we are facing run pick and roll. they know that our entire guard rotation can be screened and the bigs won't show. say what you want about demo, but that guys shows hard on pnr defense. anyways, we have three of the best pick and roll players, not just in this team but around the league. harden,howard and lin. we should do it as much as other teams do it to us.
Thanks OP! Non-mobile link, in case anyone was looking for it: http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/65398/houstons-improbable-midrange-winner
after watching last nights game is crazy how low the rockets players jump when they are supposed to be JUMP SHOOTING. Parsons got rejected trying to take a midrange over aminu because he barely gets off the ground when he shoots. Lin is the only player on this team that gets off the floor when he shoots it seems.
