One of the best defensive plays in the history of Jazz Basketball

It just dawned on me. Rubio is out of bounds when Harden goes up for this shot, and this wasn't the only time.

If Rubio jumps and blocks that from behind, before establishing both feet in bounds, it's Rockets possession. Harden could just pin Rubio out of bounds, lick his chops and shoot a normal corner three.

There's literally no room for two people stacked together behind that line there, especially with Harden's thicc butt. Rockets should point that out to the refs to have them look for Rubio to step out of bounds.

 

Seems like the value of a wide open mid range baseline jumper would fit within the Moreyball criteria. But maybe not.

 

I am not sure a defender can establish defensive position by going behind the attacker. So any contact should be a foul anyway.

Also, 5 seconds out of bounds = tech foul. Just have Harden hold it for 5s?