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James Harden has to stop playing heroball

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by DudeWah, Dec 20, 2016.

  1. DrNuegebauer

    DrNuegebauer Member

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    Do you even lift bro?
     
  2. larsv8

    larsv8 Member

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    4th best offense in the league and just had a ten game winning streak, with multiple close victories and "its not really working". No, it didn't work this time, and no, its not going to work everytime, but overall, yes its the correct play.

    I am sorry you are not happy with the outcome, but we played it correctly.
     
  3. fchowd0311

    fchowd0311 Member

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    I'm sorry but he isn't a great pressure ball handler. He's lazy with the ball.
     
  4. apollo33

    apollo33 Member

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    Yeah, because teams have scouted pretty well imo, the big men aren't biting for any of his fakes and dribbles anymore
     
  5. napalm06

    napalm06 Huge Flopping Fan

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    Chill, it's possible to love Harden and call him out for things that can be improved. Even superstars make (fixable) mistakes.

    He has a couple of late-game issues:
    1. Slowing the game down too early (started with about 5:00 left in this game)
    2. Lack of awareness (balls getting poked from behind/side), which we know he's smart enough to avoid; it's just laziness
    3. Casual handles (dribbling off feet or tossing a pass short of its target)

    If the coaching staff helps him identify these patterns, self-awareness should help him improve even more. And that's something any Rockets fan should want.
     
    da_juice, Mazulis, arabrocket and 6 others like this.
  6. Juxtaposed Jolt

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    Not incorrect at all. If an isolation is apparent, the other four members of the defending team can just stay at home, as they know what exactly is going to happen. If a play is ran / if movement by the four members of the offensive team is evident, the eventual shot attempt by whomever, is going to be harder to defend.

    1, 2, even 3 seconds when there's still 2-3 minutes on the clock left isn't going to make or break the game; I'd rather get off a well drawn play that milks the clock for 20ish seconds (accounting for variability) then have Harden hold it for 24 with the Spurs knowing exactly what's going to happen.
     
    ilovehtownbb and DudeWah like this.
  7. DudeWah

    DudeWah Member

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    "Sorry to burst your narrative" is an insult. As if I have some stupid agenda against harden.

    Also, I'm pretty sure "take your meds" is an insult.

    Good job being above it all, champ. Wish I could roll my eyes a little harder.
     
  8. lionaire

    lionaire Member

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    Stupidest knee jerk thread i've seen all year. You want him to stop playing hero ball so he can what, kick it out to his teammates that weren't making sh*t all night? Yeah good luck moron.
     
  9. kwakmeister

    kwakmeister Member

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    Quoting this for truth. Everyone needs to read this. We can go to way wroth anyone, I love this team!
     
  10. Roxfreak724

    Roxfreak724 Member

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    I've been a critic of Harden's 4th quarter play in the past, but not this one. A lot of stuff went wrong in the 4th, and Harden made 2 costly turnovers and it wasn't really heroball it was in motion coming off screens. Just give the Spurs credit this time around. Ariza had two costly turnovers, offensive foul plus the key giveaway with 30 seconds left, but we're not going after him.

    At the end of the day, we just missed a ton of shots. We had every reason to win this game, but it didn't work out. I'm feeling pretty good that the Rockets played that well despite only making 6 3-pointers.
     
    Mazulis likes this.
  11. YallMean

    YallMean Member

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    With that 6-7 extra assists we are gaining from he playing the point, that's a small price to pay.
     
  12. apollo33

    apollo33 Member

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    Nice deflection, like always I'm just going to ignore the filler about omgee winning streak therefore literally everything is working as intended implication.

    I want to see the stats of Harden iso'ing this season when he dribbles down the shot clock. I could be wrong, but I think he's shooting at a below average percentage in those situations.
     
    DudeWah likes this.
  13. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    It is on coaching.

    Why did our great coach not call a time out and draw up a play?
    Instead he wanted Harden to do what he did


    Rocket River
     
    roxallways likes this.
  14. kwakmeister

    kwakmeister Member

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    You can't seriously be this mad, I get it, you're trolling. Got me laughing over here after a close loss, thanks!
     
  15. Juxtaposed Jolt

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    People are just mad because:
    1. We lost against a division rival
    2. We had our winning streak snapped
    3. We blew a big lead
    4. We lost a game against one of the benchmark teams in the league.
     
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  16. DudeWah

    DudeWah Member

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    Agreed on all points.

    Harden initiating the offense as late into the shot clock as he does in late game situations is still a problem though.
     
  17. fchowd0311

    fchowd0311 Member

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    I'm not referring to his overall playmaking. I'm just talking about getting the ball cross court and getting the offense started. Harden can play make from their and do his magic.

    We need a Earl Watson type pg who just knows how to get the ball up the court real quick confidently in pressure situations.
     
  18. Cashmoney

    Cashmoney Member

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    Harden could take a steaming dump on the court and you would still approve it. What's he shooting in the clutch this year? What's his turnover % in the clutch this year? I guarantee you its dreadful.

    No one is saying we shouldn't slow down the game and milk the clock if we are up, but too often he starts doing it way too soon, or he does not mix it up at all. That airball was disgraceful. He doesn't need to dribble the clock down every single time it is beyond predictable. It is unacceptable. He doesn't learn. Posters saying "there is a great lesson to be learned from this loss" are in denial, he just refuses to adapt or 'learn'.
     
  19. DudeWah

    DudeWah Member

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    I'm not exactly sure how criticizing Harden makes me appear angry to you.

    Might want to take your meds, man.
     
    hakeem94 likes this.
  20. Juxtaposed Jolt

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    People want him to stop playing heroball because it's the wrong thing to do.

    Heroball is only acceptable when the "hero" is on fire, a la Klay's 37 point quarter. Nobody was on fire, tonight.
     

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