I think we are the only team that can counter the Hamster 5 with multiple lineups. Combination of: Harden, CP3, Gordon, Ariza, Tucker, Luc, Anderson at the 5 and Green (both very limited minutes)
Would love to hear your thoughts after a watch. I remember a few plays but not a ton of detail. The box score tells you stuff, but we all know you miss a ton by just looking at the numbers. I think it is important to note the the Rockets haven't played the Warriors "Death Lineup" all year. Iggy was out in those games.
1. Ryan Anderson - Durant Ryan is bigger and stronger than Durant. Make Durant play some D and stretch GS D out with Andersons 3 point shooting 2. CP3- Steph Gotta body Steph up 3. Harden- Igoudala Cant have Harden on Klay as he will get roasted 4. Capella on Draymond Tough match up for Cap but Cap needs to make him work on the other side 5. Ariza on Klay Need to make sure Klay doesn't get any wide open 3s. Hold him to 8-9 points a game and we will be good
I believe that lineup is also known as their death line up because it is death to the other team when they play. I can't wait to see what the Rockets have come up with to contend against that lineup. Go Rockets!
I hear many of you favoring the Ariza/Curry matchup from the start, but I'd rather see Trevor switching on to Curry later in the shot clock than trying match up with him from the start. We all know that Curry is going to move without the ball. Why not have your best defender be your last defender? If Iguodala gets involved with Curry in off-the-ball, staggered screens, an Ariza switch on to Curry would actually improve our defense. And I really have few worries about Harden through the switches. He can guard anyone in these lineups. Throughout the playoffs, he's shown that he can more than hold his own (even if he can't truly contest Durant's shot). When you consider this "Hampton 5" group, you have to remember that they want to be on the move. And if by some chance, we can get them to go iso--like Durant trying to "take over" and win his matchup (say with Tucker)--then rather surprisingly, they are playing the Rockets style of basketball. I'd might start with CP3 - Curry Harden - Thompson Ariza - Iguodala Tucker - Durant Capela - Green
The Hampton Five is such a downgrade from "The Death Lineup", goes to show why its not good practice to give yourself nicknames.
Actually if you watch the first game of the season against the Warriors Ryan Anderson actually did a pretty good job in front of curry towards the end of that game. A taller defender on curry who can keep his face in front of him seems to get to him. We just need to keep throwing fresh bodies constantly at them. We have the bodies.
