The key to a championship- Harden's off the ball movement

Not sure off the ball movement is the key. I think movement makes us more diverse, more entertaining, and certainly makes things easier on the offensive end. However from my perspective, for the Rockets to win a championship this year, we have to check off lots of keys. In no particular order of importance:

1. A low turnover offense -- 18 TOs against OKC is very uncharacteristic. But Russell Westbrook's wild man with the ball approach is contagious and make anyone sloppy.
2. Tight defensive rotations -- 65 uncontested looks is very uncharacteristic for us. We'll get a better effort and game plan in the playoffs.
3. Rebounding -- OKC had a shocking 51 offensive rebound chances in this game. They retrieved 29 percent of those which means we did not block them out.
4. Shots for Clint -- we need to find something more creative than rolls and standing along the baseline. If he has the right switch, we should turn him loose. I think I'd like to see more off the ball action for Clint rather than Harden.
5. Eric Gordon's shot and health -- OKC's matchups are totally different when we go small with Gordon.
6. Our counters when teams fight over the screen at the top of the key. Paul George refused to be picked and was willing to crash into PJ Tucker and draw fouls. We haven't seen the end of that strategy.
7. Teamwide deflections, steals, and loose ball recovery -- There were 22 loose balls last night and we got 9 of them (and PJ Tucker got 4 of those).

If we're sloppy with the ball, rebound with little intensity, and get away from our team oriented approach on D, we will make it hard on ourselves in the playoffs. I'm not too worried here just ready to see us turn things up.

The Rockets can play like a juggernaut, making 3s and overwhelming teams. But all of that ebbs and flows. Around the spectacular, we have to do the little things and have an exceptional game plan that gets our role players into places that they can succeed.

 

Chris Paul literally puts up Beverley-esque role player numbers per 36 when on the court with Harden this year. And what games don't bear out the fact that he gives the ball up and watches pick and roll spam like Bev did when on the court with Harden?

There's no deception, movement, decoying, nothing.

The reality is the NBA has caught up to D'Antoni in a big way due to the 3pt bonanza. Now, most teams play his style, but a LOT of teams aren't nearly as rigid and narrow in their view of how to put players in a good position.

and because of that, more teams know how to GUARD this style. Much more than in the mid 2000s. The Rockets offense isn't nearly as consistent as it should be for this reason.

 

We've done that plenty of times this season. Especiallywhen teams were trying to deny Harden the ball.

 

How many points created per 36 do you think cp3 has when he's on the court with harden compared to pbev last year?

And how is cp3 defended when he is playing with harden? Does defenders sag off him to double harden?

 

Run Westbrook through multiple screens. Glad Thunder revealed their go to Harden defender
before the playoffs. Allows the Rockets to game plan and make adjustments without burning
a playoff game.

 

they did that during portions of the game, and they didn't do it when playoff level defense was coming at them. Why are you consistently such a sarcastic dummy?

 

Hes correct. Morey mda harden n cp3 already admitted that their offensive philosophy in general minimizes off ball movement. And it was very succesful 4 to 1 in the reg season. Are you saying that they abandon that philosophy for the playoffs just because of this 1 game?

 

^herp derp PUH-LAYOFFS

Next level analysis from LosPollosBayless

Tune in tomorrow for "we will live or die with Capela's midrange jumper because science!"

 

@Bobbythegreat

 

Yeah lets have James run off three stagger screens on the baseline every other possession. Smh

 

I don't really need to say much else if you still think the midrange is useless. The fact that it has saved our asses with CP3 using it at the end of games, and the fact that the defending champions (who are a much better 3pt shooting team than us) shoot many more midrange jumpers kind of proves my point. Its a stop and pop shot that doesn't allow your offense become as predictable. Its also subject to lower variance. Don't get me wrong, I think the majority should still be 3s...but contested 3s are worse than open midrange.

You're the BobbyTheStubborn of the GARM sometimes. I'm not gonna waste my time arguing. We've had this conversation many times and I've been right every single time when the offense collapses in the postseason with the clog the paint/run them off the 3 defense. You also conveniently disappear or make a post similar to this one thinking that it somehow vindicates you of your embarrassing takes..

 

Wow, fantastic post!

 

We need to be better as a team in reacting to pressure defense against Harden and Paul. Harden needs to be able to get rid of the ball quicker, and other guys need to be able to make more definitive plays when they are open.

Chris Paul is a potential release valve for Harden when he is on the floor. Eric Gordon will play a critical role in this regard as well.

 

That's not D'Antoni's fault. He's playing to the players strengths and you can't expect him to fix their weaknesses

 

I'd like to LIKE this post more than once. SOOO many good points here. The Rockets D is at its best when it is scrappy, rebounds and gets those 50/50- balls. Thunder out worked the Rockets in this capacity and it had ramifications.

Those offensive fouls on Tucker on the ball screens. Rockets have to clean those up. Cant have people getting into foul trouble with those BS calls.

The bottom line....

Absolutely!

 

The rockets have been playing pickup ball for most of the season.

 

I sure hope so. Adjustments are key. Capela should hit the boards, and defend even if he can't score much. Gordon's presence should make a difference. Anderson's shooting is much needed. Use Black, when Nene is hurting.

 

No doubt, consistent defense has brought us into first place. Offense can't work without defense.

 

The thing with the Rockets defense too is, is that when the Rockets 3 ball isnt falling, you can lean on the defense in those cold stretches. This is absolutely critical. When the Rockets can weather the storm on cold stretches and keep things close, then when they got hot they can pull away.

 

I posted elsewhere that Ariza was playing that role that Gordon usually plays. Harden passed the ball to
Ariza and he kicked over to the other team. Ugh.