To what extent are Capela + Harrell products of the system?

Any athletic big who can roll to the rim hard, catch, and finish is going to flourish in a lineup with Harden and three 40% 3PT shooters.

But Harrell was the best PF in college basketball, and Capela had basketball fundamentals drilled into him in Europe and had shown MAJOR upside last year and the year before. Their talent is real. The "system" and the freedom given by MDA probably bumps their shooting percentages up by 35-50 points, but they'd be productive rotation players with upside on any team.

 

The full extent.

JK, kind of...

 

I think our system is tailormade for guys like Harrell and Capela and while I feel both are products of the system, I feel Capela is more. After seeing Harrell without Capela during these few games and a little bit in Summer League, Harrell looks to be a special player because of his faceup game he is displaying already and the ability to go off the dribble. If he continues to improve the skills of his faceup game and rebounds, he has a higher ceiling than Capela, even being undersized like Jabari.

 

bear in mind Harell is in practically his rookie season and had less playing time to come out of shell...he is shining more by the game

 

Capela with a little bit more progress could be a good starter on any team and Montrez his shooting touch, energy and hustle plays makes him valuable also on any team that doesn't need 3pt spacing from their big so I'd say while they of course rely on others, they are really becoming all round players. Montrez is making big strides lately.

 

what was your opinion of draymond green in 2014?

 

Agreed and I think he'll be pretty skilled once he's in his mid to late 20s. He still has a lot of time to develop that athleticism into offensive skill.

 

Would Nerlens Noel be better than Capela in this system?

 

Maybe maybe no

 

I think everyone agrees that they are good players that are a good fit for the system. Their skill sets allow Harden's passing to be much more dangerous because they both finish at such a high percentage near the basket. Harden needs them as much as they need Harden. They create an enormous amount of space for Harden to work his angles.

Would both players play for other NBA teams? Yes. Does either have allstar potential on a random team? Probably not. Harden and MDmA both require athletic slashing bigs to be at their best. So it's really a non-issue if they all stay together. The real issue pops up around the Free Agency period when 'Trezl and Clint want some extra spending cash.

 

They are products of Harden.

 

Capela is a good defender so has utility beyond Harden PNRs with shooters everywhere. Harrell has flashed some ball skills here and there, but at the moment is definitely getting most of his value simply from the system.

 

These guys would be putting up Wilt-esque numbers if we had a real primary playmaker like Rubio.

 

Last year 'Trez' finished 73% at the rim to Ibaka's 69%. Both are extremely high, but Ibaka likes to play outside as well. 'Trezl wants a heavy dose near the rim. And while I agree that Ibaka would be an upgrade at rebounding and a more rangey shooter, he wouldn't create the consistent space that 'Trezl creates. Don't forget that the whole league knows that Harrell is going to get the ball while rolling to the basket yet he still gets it and finishes over and over. Ibaka isn't doing that. There's no evidence that suggests Ibaka would be the same level finisher when the league knows where he's going to be getting the ball. He's a floater, Harrell stays at home. It would be like trying to replace a slot receiver who catches balls over the middle with a wideout who works the sideline and occasionally goes over the middle.

While Harrell and Capela can be replaced, I argue that it would not be considered 'easily' like you suggested. Those guys know how to finish in a crowded area with their supreme athleticism, quick hands, long arms and sticky fingers (okay maybe not Capela on that but def Harrell with the stick'em).

 

Space and Pace. Space: With shooters on the perimeter it opens up the paint. With attention on
that interior action it opens up a 3-point shooter. This is why I say a Willie Cauley-Stein or Nerlens
would flourish as well in our system. Pace: with Nene the pace decreases and the Rockets are
middle of the pack. With more Capela and more Harrell the pace quickens. More rim runs equals
more easy points (prior to defense fully setting up). In the playoffs teams will try to take away
transition points. That's why I stress the Rockets getting another rim protector. Half-court game.

 

each passing day it becomes apparent that dwight was a chump. i mean harden is FEEDING capela and harrell to easy buckets and and easy 20ppg when they want it.

it's also interesting to watch capela and harrell get their buckets from the PnR in much different ways:

Capela will grab the lob and finish hard or catch the ball and take two steps for a clever layup or fingeroll, hardly ever dribbling.

Harrell loves to gather step or take a dribble or two after a harden pass but can't elevate the way clint can for the oops but can finish with contact much better.



..and obviously james harden is a god and those who remain hungry shall eat.

man this team is a pure treat

 

Spoiler: Simple answer.....

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Can't teach what isn't there.