Mike D'Antoni says James Harden is 'ready,' Rockets all-in with small ball

In situations where the Rockets face tall, long opponents like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and Nikola Jokic, it would benefit to have a quick, lean defender that can guard those big guys without relying on a potential mismatch with James Harden or P.J. Tucker.

There’s a chance Caboclo gets some minutes at the five during the Orlando run. At 6’9”, he’s the tallest Rocket other than Tyson Chandler, and he’s a far better fit for the small-ball system than the aging Chandler.

https://www.thedreamshake.com/2020/...rockets-restart-player-previews-bruno-caboclo

https://rocketswire.usatoday.com/20...g-for-rotation-role-with-rockets-in-playoffs/

https://www.thedreamshake.com/2020/...could-be-golden-opportunity-for-bruno-caboclo

 

Cannot get enough of this!

 

Green has proved to be a dynamic trap breaker. He's decisive off the catch, though not out of control. He can quickly diagnose the defense and find an open shooter, and if opponents sprint to the perimeter–as they often do against Houston–Green has no problem plowing toward the rim. Green and Harden are outscoring teams by 35.8 points per 100 possessions since Green's debut on Feb. 20, an outrageous mark even in limited minutes. Harden and Green are a downright dynamic in the pick-and-roll, and Green can even make plays in transition. His athleticism is a true asset in the frontcourt.

Perhaps Mike D'Antoni should be careful putting so much stock in Green, though considering his other options, there isn't much of a choice. Green's offensive skillset is tailor made to the small-ball Rockets, and in a pinch, he may unleash a scoring burst at a critical moment. Houston's current roster behind Harden is the result of a series of gambles from Daryl Morey and Co. The addition of Green could be one that truly pays off.

https://www.si.com/nba/rockets/features/can-jeff-green-be-rockets-playoff-x-factor

Green sliding to starting center can give the Rockets more punch from the getgo in a variety of ways.

Green, unlike House and Tucker, can finish in traffic or, if necessary, make the 10-to-15-foot jumper if the defense sags off of him. Green also brings the mobility that Tucker lacks by being able to handle the ball as well as roll to the basket for athletic finishes.

Having Jeff to start the game will also allow for more minutes with Harden, who no doubt has been missing the lob and/or pick and roll option when driving to the basket.

While Green doesn’t quite have Clint Capela‘s height (only 6'8 235 with 7'1 wingspan), he’s the closest thing to an alley-oop option on this current roster. Currently, Green is playing about 20 minutes per game, but with the way he’s producing, he should be averaging closer to 30.

Jeff Green would provide the Rockets a more consistent shooter in the starting lineup while also giving the team another much-needed ball handler. The numbers don’t lie and with their current struggles, the Rockets need more versatile players in their lineup.

https://spacecityscoop.com/2020/03/10/jeff-green-center-houston-rockets/



https://www.thedreamshake.com/2020/7/8/21317868/rockets-restart-player-previews-jeff-green

Jeff Green was compared to Lamar Odom coming out of college.

 

The only way I see us losing in this year's playoffs is if Harden has a horrible day in a crucial game (which seems like it happens at least twice every playoffs) or if our role players go insanely cold from the 3 in a crucial game (Ariza g7).

I think Russ will be there, especially with how hard he competes... he's had so much time off, he's just gonna explode in the first series for sure.

Also, pray that going all-in on small ball actually works... because we're totally screwed next season if we fail to make another WCF. Tilman is gonna go into budget cut mode and our roster will probably be gutted. We will have to rely on buy-outs and vet mins to save us again.

 

Or MDA doesn’t make the right adjustments? Or the team isn’t able to secure defensive rebounds or get key stops? It could also be because the opponent is simply just a better team.

incredibly simplistic to say it will be because of Harden or guys not making shots...there’s far more to a game or series than that, this isn’t 2K...

 

yeah 1 superstar vs 2 superstas & 2 stars & 3 refs

9 missed calls

 

who can guard AD and Gianns? These 2 guys always use slam dunk for easy two and grab easy rebounds. They can draw foul easily by using their body to get in to shoot or dunk. However, Houston needs to shoot difficult far from 3 points line. I don't really understand how can Houston win this especially the shooting percent become poor after 3 quarter's power defence? Shooting accuracy will be decreased due to lack of energy and 8 man even more less number of people rotation.

I think MDA can play small ball, if they have full power only. Warriors did it good.

1. increase number of people rotation. If the existing players will not use, better ask MDA sign some new players that he will use such as Michael Beasley, nick young for 3 etc.

2. Cutting the center means they will lack of different strategies. Sign back a tall center who can run and dunk with good defence.
This is for vs Lakers and bucks.

3. Give the power to defensive coach or players to call timeout. Sign a defensive coach and give him power to call timeout. MDA does not call timeout which cause the team dig a big hole and unable to return.

 

"[Harden] will be ready. And I do think that the biggest thing is rest," Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni told the media on Tuesday. "We use him so much and I use him so much. And that could be one of my problems. ...I do think the rest for him, P.J. [Tucker] even [Russell Westbrook] to a certain degree will benefit us. It’ll benefit other teams also, but it’ll definitely benefit our players that we’re going to rely on heavily."

Harden certainly burst out of the gate to kick off 2019-20. The three-time scoring champion averaged 38.6 points per game before Christmas, tearing up defenses as the greatest isolation player of his era. Harden will need to begin the season's restart in similar fashion in order to capture an elusive championship in 2020.

https://www.si.com/nba/rockets/news/james-harden-rest-mike-dantoni-rockets-playoffs

 

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2887751-ranking-nbas-top-15-shooting-guards-this-season

 

Or if Harden and Westbrook don't travel to Orlando (on time)

 

That staggering 28.9 net rating has to be enough for McLemore to get some more run with that first unit and he could be in that perfect place to knock down a corner three.

McLemore is also one of the fastest Rockets on the court, which helps them run their 5-out, small-ball system even more effectively.

There are weaknesses in his game on the defensive end, but if he’s placed out there with Robert Covington and P.J. Tucker, his defensive woes can be shielded and forgiven by an all-out offensive attack.

https://www.thedreamshake.com/2020/...-rockets-restart-player-previews-ben-mclemore

 

Standing at 6’7″, Covington is the tallest of James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Danuel House Jr., and P.J. Tucker. The Rockets’ defense has not suffered since they traded away 6’10” center Capela for the purpose of playing small-ball, with the team allowing 109.8 points per 100 possessions in the 50 games before the trade and a 109.7 defensive rating in 10 games after the trade.

In fact, Covington’s defensive numbers from the 14 total games he has played with the Rockets so far have been phenomenal. He has averaged 7.9 total rebounds per game, second only to Westbrook. Covington leads the team by far with 2.5 blocks per game, using his height and athleticism to his advantage. He also averages 1.1 steals per game, on par with Tucker and House Jr.

One of the major reasons why the Rockets sought after Covington was because of his depth and versatility as a 3-and-D player. As the team continues to improve and develop as a true small-ball team, each and every player on the field must be able to adapt to the fast-paced switching strategy, hence the reason why the Rockets rid themselves of the traditional center position entirely.

https://hoopshabit.com/2020/07/09/houston-rockets-third-best-player/

 

https://hoopshabit.com/2020/06/20/los-angeles-lakers-stop-houston-rockets/