The Rockets could easily employ this strategy at any point to slow down Thunder runs. I wonder why D'Antoni hasn't tried the strategy JVG discussed at the end of the game – bring in a bench player just to foul Roberson (keeping rotation players from getting in foul trouble). This train of thought led me to the real question. Do we really want to take Roberson off the floor? On one hand he's dogging Harden every play and is one of those guys that Harden can't go around without a pick. On the other hand, he's letting Harden rest on defense and allows us to pack the paint for Westbrook drives.
As soon as we are int he penalty and game is close or we have no rhythm we absolutely must use this strategy each and every qyuarter. Just prep Harrell or Booby Brown to pick the fouls
It's pride and ego. I'm glad MDA went with it to end the game. Roberson's just too good defensively (Harden's ankle might have played a part in it). Any time you can get this guy off the court, I'm for it. He is still lighting Harden up this series despite having an 6th grade level offensive game.
I love the strategy, and I'm honestly surprised he waited this long to employ it. Imagine Harden being guarded by Oladipo or Westy for large chunks of the game while Roberson is on the bench because Donovan doesn't want him clanking free throws? It's a huge win-win, and D'Antoni used it at the perfect time tonight to keep momentum in the Rockets favor late in the game.
Rox would be chillin with a sweep if MDA would have hacked in game 3. He only did it out of desperation today.
Mike should've done this already in regular season a couple of times...i remember when we lost at home against the Hawks when we couldn't score and Dwight was literally eating the boards while Hardaway was hitting every shot...but there were a couple of other games when we could0ve use this and we didn't, can't remember exactly now but yeah...
Good points. I guess the other way of looking at it is that Harden actually plays better defense when he is forced to. Against Roberson, he's gone back to last year's no man's land defense. He's backing off of Roberson but not fully committing to really any defensive action. It might be better for him to be forced to play someone like McBuckets tighter. We know his defensive assignments don't get any easier from here on out.
You know what's even more disrespectful to the game? Playing in the best professional basketball league in the world, making millions, and shooting 0.0% from the FT line for the series. Those were his numbers before we started hacking him.
If Rockets did this in game #3 then OKC would have adjusted for game #4. Still could have been looking at a 1-1 split in OK
This isn't true. Harden blew by him multiple times in the first game when they played Harden straight up and didn't send help off the shooters. Since that game, Roberson is getting some help ,,, its behind Roberson. Harden doesn't just drive when he can see help ready behind the primary defender...that's what Westbrook tries to do, barreling into clogged lanes. Plus, we like to run PnR regardless vs ISO. We always want to pick for Harden....because we always want a roller or a pop. Seeing picks on Roberson isn't because harden needs the help, it's because PNR is our system.
Yeah OKC may have adjusted but the likely adjustment would be taking out Roberson sooner which would mean he wouldn't be in there guarding Harden. Still advantage Houston there. Glad MDA finally utilized hack a Roberson, hope he sticks with it at the appropriate times.
