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Harden - and how to build a championship team around him

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by DaDakota, Feb 11, 2016.

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  1. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!
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    So, with all the drama going on, figured it was time to post something I have been thinking about for quite some time.

    We seem to do a fairly good job of talent acquisition, but not a good job of finding talent that fits our star player.

    Harden is a young, incredibly gifted offensive player who NEEDS the ball to be successful. So, you have to find players that fit with him and his style of play, and build the entire team from that centerpiece - Harden.

    You can't have players that clog the paint - and don't move off the ball - Howard.

    You can't have players that play their best when they can bounce the ball and get into a rhythm - Tjones, Lawson, Smith.

    What you need are COMPLIMENTARY pieces, guys that move off the ball, and can catch and shoot as well as pass it when needed - and can play defense.

    Players that fit on the current team:

    Ariza
    Beverley
    Capella
    Dmo
    JTerry
    Thornton

    So, IMHO, when you are looking at bringing other players in, first see if the game they play FITS with your superstar.

    Harden:
    1. Needs the ball
    2. Needs space in the lane
    3. Needs players to cover for his crap defense
    4. Needs catch and shoot players
    5. needs players who can set a good pick
    6. High IQ players that space the floor for him

    That is what is wrong with this current roster, it seems to have been built with little thought as to the incoming players comfort zone in regards to their games and how they fit with Harden.

    Build around Harden - go all in - find players that fit with his STYLE of ball dominant play, set picks, find catch and shoot players, and find a big who rebounds but doesn't clog the paint (Mehmet Okur type would be great).

    Then watch how quickly that chemistry comes back.

    DD
     
    #1 DaDakota, Feb 11, 2016
    1 person likes this.
  2. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    We did build around Harden by getting a bunch of defensive players around him.

    Doesn't work because good 4 on 5 defense isn't possible
     
    #2 Mr. Clutch, Feb 11, 2016
  3. ksny15

    ksny15 Member

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    Still pumping that 4 on 5 narrative huh?
     
    #3 ksny15, Feb 11, 2016
  4. MD_in_Training

    MD_in_Training Member

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    The ceiling for this kind of team is AI's sixers. Surround the best offensive guard in the league with a bunch of tough minded 3 and D players, along with an All NBA defensive center.
     
    #4 MD_in_Training, Feb 11, 2016
  5. T_Man

    T_Man Member

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    You can't...

    Harden doesn't have the drive or the hunger...

    He's sarisfied with what he has.

    T_Man
     
    #5 T_Man, Feb 11, 2016
  6. DaDakota

    DaDakota If you want to know, just ask!
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    Then you need to find a veteran leader that fits too, a Battier type to be the leader.....

    Add that to the list.

    DD
     
    #6 DaDakota, Feb 11, 2016
  7. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    The innovative thing is plan beyond Harden. I wish he could leave in 2 years

    I would build around a PF who can also play C and model it after Tim Duncan.

    Go through the draft to acquire the next big PF
     
    #7 daywalker02, Feb 11, 2016
  8. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    Good response. You proved it wrong.
     
    #8 Mr. Clutch, Feb 11, 2016
  9. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    AI played defense. He wasn't great but he tried
     
    #9 Mr. Clutch, Feb 11, 2016
  10. javal_lon

    javal_lon Member

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    The team we have is built around Harden. We gotta get a PG that demands leadership and accountability. A true floor general. Thats why Conley would be ideal. We had one in Lowry but ...
     
    #10 javal_lon, Feb 11, 2016
  11. DonKnock

    DonKnock Member

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    That is an outdated model. It will never work. This is a guard centered league until then move the 3pt line back or rule changes occur.
     
    #11 DonKnock, Feb 11, 2016
  12. topfive

    topfive CF OG

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    Good post, DD.

    As for the players who fit, I'm all for dumping Terry. He has one good game for every three he plays, and his defense is even worse than Harden's. I'd rather find a veteran leader who can contribute ON the court, someone still relevant enough that Harden will respect him.*

    * Sure, that sounds a lot like Dwight, but he's such a clown off-court that he's hard to respect.
     
    #12 topfive, Feb 11, 2016
  13. T_Man

    T_Man Member

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    Sorry DD.....

    But as others have stated this team and Morey did build around Harden and it didn't work.

    Harden is a very very good scorer... but that's it.

    T_Man
     
    #13 T_Man, Feb 11, 2016
  14. leebigez

    leebigez Member

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    I'm in the belief that your best player has to be the most accountable. Harden doesn't accept the challenge in which a player of his stature should. If he played as hard as Iverson, I might agree,but we know he doesnt.
     
    #14 leebigez, Feb 11, 2016
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  15. seeingred

    seeingred Member

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    This team wasn't poorly thought out. It wasn't a crazy idea to think harden could play off the ball (he did a bit in okc), that a reduced offensive load would mean continued passable defense (he did it last year), or that a harden and howard PnR could entrench us as contenders. We learned some hard lessons about harden's limitations this year. Maybe he can grow as a player. We can't win a championship without another playmaker. Good teams can shut him down in a playoff series.
     
    #15 seeingred, Feb 11, 2016
  16. Jblazea50

    Jblazea50 Member

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    If you are going to build around Harden, then you have to get 2-3 perimeter players that can scare opposing teams from the 3. Getting a PG that can run the offense and distribute isn't going to help this team. Harden can't play as an off-guard; he isn't the type of player that'll run through screens to get a good look. He needs the ball in hands all the time. A PG like Conley is useless. Beverly is fine, but he has to be able to hit the open 3 at or near 40%.
     
    #16 Jblazea50, Feb 11, 2016
  17. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    Ok I am flexible let's hit the guard market.

    Steph Curry with Defense should be the target, elite shooting is not a must but good to have

    Harden is already 26 and I do not think he can get rid of his old habits fast

    I am all for a new guy or new guys that is
     
    #17 daywalker02, Feb 11, 2016
  18. T_Man

    T_Man Member

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    I agree with this post..

    T_Man
     
    #18 T_Man, Feb 11, 2016
  19. iconoclastic

    iconoclastic Member

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    It's not about how to build a championship team around him, it's about how to get him to change and play in a fundamentally different level as a leader, defender, and teammate. Once that happens, the supporting pieces will fall into place. Without it, he will never win a championship as the primary option.
     
    #19 iconoclastic, Feb 11, 2016
  20. larsv8

    larsv8 Member

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    This team was fine until our defensive role players stopped being good at defense.
     
    #20 larsv8, Feb 11, 2016
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