Tony Allen says James Harden is the only scorer he hasn't figured out

You'all realize Klay Thompson is a two-way player right? That means he gets to work over Harden on both ends of the court. Harden offensive efficiency will naturally decline if he's actually guarding his man on the defensive ends. Klay's offensive threat plays a much bigger role than any defensive schemes GS can deployed on Harden.

 

Harden guards Klay better than probably anyone, half our problem in the last 2 games was that Ariza was on Klay (to give Harden rest), he's also nott he most demanding player to defend, he drives once or twice a game and the rest is jumpshots.

 

Figuring him out is mental. He didn't say, 'I've figured him out but not young enough to keep up' He said he can't figure him out, upstairs.

 

Actually, some of his size-up dribbles are very effective at closing the gap between him and the basket.

Although the defender isn't "broken down" per se, the defender often surrenders a lot of ground to Harden who is able to shoot over them easily (especially when combined with the step back).

 

Yeah, the defender instead gets crossed over something serious.

 

Anyone have a link to this video? Sounds familiar but I can't find it.

 

When you're younger, you probably act more on instinct that formulating plans. When you get older and mature you just become more efficient, hence more calculation.

 

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QVb22RwWen4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here you are -- starts at the 2 minute mark. I love this video by the way. Man I miss Yao, and I am so happy Dream is back working with the team. I had a giant s**t eating grin the entirety of that recent Red Nation Roundtable video.

 

The defender/s (and us fans) are mesmerized into watching him dribble. Like hypnosis. Then he suddenly launches into his shot. Breathtaking. Sometimes though he just misses

 

"Klay Thompson defends Harden better than anyone" That has to be a talking point that keeps getting regurgitated over and over and it's not accurate. Klay Thompson is a good defender, not close to elite. I watch a lot of GS games and the TEAM plays great active defense. Open one lane to the ball handler, let him drive to a instant double team...then they ALL do a great job of hustling to close out on the shooter. They run players off the 3 point line. Klay CAN'T Guard Harden...GS as a team defends him "OK"
Game 1 James 22pts , Klay 11
Game 2 James 34pts Klay 21
Game 3 James 12pts Klay 27
Game 4 James 33pts Klay 27

So I already said that Klay doesn't guard Harden without help...but for the sake of proving a point, if Klay did in fact guard Harden straight up without help, then Harden is averaging 25pts a game against Klay this season and that's not good for Klay.

I always thought that Allen, PJ Tucker and Jimmy Butler have consistently slowed James down up until this season. James is hard to guard because he is highly skilled with his footwork and overall strength. Klay is NOT a Harden stopper lol

 

Agreed. While reading this thread I was having the exact same thought. I didn't remember Klay guarding Harden STRAIGHT UP all that much but what the team was doing to Harden as a whole, was what was giving him problems because their double's and switchers are all long and quick and they have really good rim protection. Don't get me wrong, Klay is a great defender and he closes out really well, but I feel his defensive success is due more to the team defense and strategy. The other day even JVG on the Lowe Report, was saying Klay outplayed Harden in the season series and it surprised me he said that, because I usually agree with JVG's analysis more often than not.

 

Right, I heard that from Van Gundy and it puzzled me. I asked myself was i just being a crazed homer lol. But my eyes didn't deceive me; I know what i saw and I saw Klay doing his best to drive Harden into the teeth of the defense. I do NOT believe he out played him at all. GS outplayed the Rockets...they just have a better team. Klay didn't have to work as hard to score because GS creates open shots and what's the killer part...make Hard shots. You can run Klay and Steph off the 3 point line and they will step inside the 3 and make the toughest shot possible....that's ridiculous lol. The Playoffs are about matchups....there are some teams we need to avoid period. GS and Memphis. With GS, we can't beat them at their game and we like to get out in transition; it's a death tramp. With Grizz, they have players that can defend our best players (Gasol and Allen) Plus they have a player we can't defend...Debo. Bad match up even though we had success this season.

 

The growing awe and mythology around Klay is getting annoying.

The Warriors made every last player on our team look useless the last two times we played. The entire three point line was locked down.

It's not even like the Portland series where our team played well and Harden was the one obvious weak spot.

Great player that Klay is, it's not just him.

 

He countered by scoring back and backdoor cuts but it wasn't enough.

 

Well what?

 

Doesn't matter. Barnes has him all figured out.

 

wasn't Ariza guarding Klay for the majority of that series?

 

No kidding. Nice find, OP.