The team itself had camaraderie. I'm talking about specifically between Harden and Howard. 2 other people in this thread seemed to notice it last night too.
It's not the first time, but I noticed it too because it's rare and last game it felt more like they were cheering for each other rather than applauding a basket enthusiastically. In the Clippers game first quarter is the first time I've seen James using his skills to do everything to get Dwight the ball in position. Usually he defers when it's time to go to Howard in the post and it's not an easy entry. This time he was forcing the issue personally. If it's true rumors are motivating them, we need to get Woj on the payroll. Nothing will light a fire under a player like a Woj bomb.
No doubt. Not the first time, though. We just have such a cloud over us as fans, and the players did, too. But, this happens a freaking lot in the playoffs and previous years. If not, why has the BBS just now noticed this year. This is their third year together.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Last few days in practice,JBB has been working with Harden and Howard on pick and rolls. Trying to develop better chemistry.</p>— Calvin Watkins (@calvinwatkins) <a href="https://twitter.com/calvinwatkins/status/679369412130934784">December 22, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This is also not the first time. I posted several vids of Nov 27 and 29th of the same thing where Harden is making all sorts of slick passes to get Dwight the ball, as well as the set entries. There is more than just last game. btw: I think I only saw one time last game, but that's largely because Dwight got early foul trouble and fouled out.
We've also recently added a double high-post play, with Capela/DMo and Howard at the elbows, and Bev giving an entry to Harden. This frequently turns into a PnR option. We ran this twice in a row to open the game last night, if anyone wants to look. It started appearing a couple of games ago. So, I think Watkins' comment on "Chemistry" also has to do with there are new plays that can develop into PnRs...but not just the straight PnR that we typically see for the past 2 years with Howard/Harden Also, our Dwight/Harden PnR now seems to have a Capela secondary option for an alley-oop/pass if the defense follows Dwight too much and Harden takes the lane. If I have time, I'll post those vids as well.
They did and do a ton of PnRs, since Howard was here. But we for whatever reason weren't as successful as planned. Most say Howard sucked at the pick and didn't really roll hard. And he has not Pop option, so the defense can clog it. PnRs aren't as easy in this era now that illegal defenses were eradicated. What we are seeing is new twists to it, to make the defense pay for attempting to clog the play.
I agree with you. The Clipper game was the first time I have seen total commitment from James to get Dwight the ball consistently in the right positions for Dwight to score the ball. There was a couple games early in the season where several plays were ran in a concerted (collaborted) effort to get Dwight the ball. But that's different than 2 guys working together playing free-form 2-man basketball, in the moment, and responding to the D, instead of running sets. That's what we saw in the Clipper game and it continued last night until Dwight's minutes were abbreviated with foul count. It feels like James is making a commitment to Dwight here that we haven't seen before. I sure hope so. And now Watkins tweets are verifying what we saw. JBB is spending time working with Harden and Howard on the PnR. Just a couple comments here: 1. It's terrible that finally, in their 3rd season together, Harden and Howard are just now trying to master the chemistry they need to have to make the base of this offense work efficiently. This is a sign of bad leadership....by Harden. Harden is the leader here. He should've diligently worked on this during the summer/fall of 2013 when Dwight signed here. 2. Gotta give an attaboy to JBB here. I've been very rough on him. I have become convinced he's not able to manage guys like Harden. IF....JBB turns Harden/Howard around into a great on-court bond with great chemistry...I may be forced to change my opinion on him. Pleasantly surprised at this development.
Maybe the rumours of Howard also helped because the team had a wake up call that their window may be closing and Dwight gone and their core finishing and that's why they start now more and more working together adn FINALLY trying to develop chemistry. Anyway...excited about this news.
You might be disrespecting how defenses can stop a simple PnR. Unless it is from secondary transition prior to the defense setting, the defenses have been clogging Dwight for awhile. There are no more illegal defense rules. PnRs are defended differently, to go with Dwight's not that good at the pick part of the equation. And that's just the classic PnR for C's who have no jumper. But what I've seen is beyond the basics. JBB is implementing tweaks to the PnR. Look for it. (1) The double-high post set that converts to a PnR option is a nice twist, as I mentioned above. (2) Position Capela at the weakside low block and bringing Harden down the middle to have two alley-oop options. The first one is very recent. The second one started a few games after Twin Towers began. And it's getting more play as we progress.
