Howard choose the Rockets over the Lakers for a variety of reasons but two primary reasons were that he didn't like D'Antoni's transition system and Kobe's ball-hogging. Instead, he wanted a more structured offense that centered around him and would feed him in the post. Well, unless McHale figures out something new this year, Houston's offense will be very D'Antoniesque since last year, it didn't seem to have set plays and appeared to rely on a fast-break, transition system or lots of Harden ISOs. I don't know all this usage rate stuff but Harden averaged 17.1 field goal attempts last year and 10.2 FT attempts. If we consider FT attempts as obstructed FG attempts (so 2 FTA = 1 FGA), then Harden was taking 22.2 shots per game on average. With this same formula, Kobe averaged 22.8 shot per game last year. So essentially, the Beard and Black Mamba had the same level of ballhogginess -- is Howard going to be down with that? Second, there's a lot of optimism among Lin fans about how the addition of Howard and all of the off-season workouts will lead to a better season for Lin. But I still anticipate a lot of frustration because the fundamental conditions haven't changed: - Lin averaged 32 minutes per game last season and with what Beverley showed last year, I see Lin's minutes going down a bit to maybe 28. - Lin's assist numbers may go up a little per minute based on Howard's skills but the decrease in overall minutes may offset the gain. - The bottom line is that as long as Harden is ball dominant, Lin will be relegated to a Derek Fisher spot up role. I don't care if he shoots 40% 3PT, it's not his natural role and it will affect his flow and confidence. Last season's biggest complaints were: (1) Harden's ISO/lack of set plays or PNRs are ruining the offense; (2) Lin is being used incorrectly as a spot up shooter rather than the PG; (3) team D breaks down when Asik is out; (4) we need a solid PF to help with boards and interior D. The addition of Howard addresses (3) and (4) I think, especially if Asik plays with Howard. But it remains to be seen whether McHales can change (1) to incorporate Howard into the offense. I think there's no hope of changing (2) to the chagrin of Lin fans.
McHale changed our offense last season to reflect our teams strength. He will definetly change it again now we got Howard. We will play a combination of inside/out, pick & roll and lets call it Hardens offense. Will he like it? He will like it if he feels comfortable within the team. He will get more touches here than in LA. Oh, and no, Harden didn't jack up as many shots as Kobe - nor was he ball hogging. He was our best offensive weapon and did, what was best for the team. He was still a very willing passer - I know that several LOF hated the fact, that he took the ball out of Lins hands, but that was by design and pretty well might have been our best option. Harden will play within our offense - so will Howard. If they like each other, the coach and the situation, everybody will be happy.
The facts, which I provided in my first post, say otherwise. It is irrefutable that Harden took a similar level of shots as Kobe last year, if you include free throw attempts (which are primarily awarded for being fouled on field goal attempts). Kobe was the Lakers' best offensive weapon, was his shooting numbers what was best for the team? Howard didn't think so. But I do agree with you that McHale will likely adjust the offense to suit the talent. But then again, that would have meant, according to Lin fans, letting Lin be the PG and having Harden play true SG. To be honest, I didn't see much play calling from McHale at all (e.g., nobody seemed to set any picks for Harden or Lin).
I expect Howard to like the offense just fine. Seems like our offense was changed last year from when we had Scola and company, so I expect McHale to make sure the offense takes advantage of Dwight's talent. I was surprised last year at how often the ball was passed to Asik, so I expect Howard to get plenty of touches.
You are pushing the same crap other teams competing for Howard tried to push. Harden is far from a ball hog. He did what he was supposed to do and was directed by the coaches to do as the star player of the team. No matter how much fans just love them some Jeremy Lin the fact is that the coaches felt featuring Harden was the best option for winning. Star offensive players, form Olajuwon to Jordan to Kobe to Harden, are assigned the responsibility to score and to score they have the burden of shot taking, even thought it makes laymen think they are just ball hogs. Harden avoided being the feature player in college just to avoid this perception. His coaches has to cajole him into accepting that responsibility. This is the same Harden who willingly served as a 6th man even though he knew he was star material. With Howard on board, the shot distribution will change accordingly. Harden may see fewer shots or maybe the shots come from somewhere else. This team is about Howard and Harden (and possibly Parsons). Everyone else will need to find a role and fit in. Lin understands this even if his fans don't. I am encouraged by reports Lin has been working on his jumper. That will go a long ways this season. Anyways, the players and coaches have already stated the philosophy is that the ball will find the hot hand, whoever that maybe.
You can't just calculate and compare stats like that. For one, Harden had tons of and 1s. And of course, Kobe had the way better team talentwise (yeah I know we have the better team - but the Lakers had way more talent) - Nash can create offense, Pau can create his own shots so does Howard. On the Rockets we basically had Harden, to a certain extent Lin and that was it. Parson can't create offense, our PFs and Cs can't create. So of course Harden had to take the most shots on our team. For a large degree he was taking high percentage shots though and was one of the most efficient guards of the league. Harden was a chucker on some nights - but over the whole season, he did what he was asked to do and he did it well and efficient.
It's already been said many times that McHale actually prefers an offense playing inside out with the main focus being a great big. Adjusting the offense to suit the talent meant EXACTLY that Lin wouldn't be "the PG" because our best use of talent was letting Harden handle the ball. If that Harden trade never went down, Lin would've been the man last year. Finally, if you didn't see any picks set, you weren't watching the games.
The offense depends on what players you have. They did not run many conventional offensive plays since that was the kind of players they had, no sense playing inside out with Asik. I guarantee there will be a different flavor to it next year. There will be much more post plays run with Howard and hopefully Montejunas getting more post touches.
I know my formula isn't the best (free throws include And1s, team limits, technicals, etc.) but it generally shows how many times you shoot the ball per game, with or without fouls. The NBA leaders last year were: Carmelo (22.2FGA + 7.6FTA/2 = 26) Kobe (20.4FGA + 8FTA/2 = 24.4) Durant (17.7FGA + 9.3FTA/2 = 22.4) Harden (17.1FGA + 10.2FTA/2 = 22.2) Westbrook (18.7FGA + 7FTA/2 = 22.2) Lebron (17.8FGA + 7FTA/2 = 21.3) Aldridge (17.8FGA + 4.7FTA/2 = 20.7) Irving (18.1FGA + 4.9FTA/2 = 20.6) Love (16.6FGA + 7.9FTA/2 = 20.6) Ellis (17.5FGA + 4.6FTA/2 = 20.3) Curry (17.8FGA + 3.7FTA/2 = 19.7) Not surprisingly, the two players most known for being a ballhog are Carmelo and Kobe. For the sake of team chemistry, I hope Harden's numbers go down to accommodate Howard.
What is wrong with his shot attempts currently? Even with your "formula" he's right next to LeBron, Durant, and Westbrook who are all playing with other stars who also happen to be more offensively inclined than Dwight.
Remember Houston gets more possessions because of the offense so hardens attempts are a bit inflated. Really should look at it as a percentage of total team shots.
why wouldn't he? it's not like they're going to ask him to shoot 3s. asik and greg smith would get touches inside, so I expect a good balance of post play and one of the best transition games. Showtime 2.3
Good question, it has to do with the distribution of shots relative to how many shots the other teammate want or need to take. Sometimes the distribution works (e.g. Heat, Thunder), sometimes teammates complain (e.g., Lakers), and sometimes the talent level requires a ballhog (e.g., the Knicks). With the Rockets next year, the replacement of Howard over Asik (who took few shots) means that someone has to give up shots to make Howard happy. The obvious source is Harden, although it could also come from all the shots that Delfino took. I'm just not convinced that Howard is entering a system all that different from the Lakers (except for the obvious age difference). If McHale changes up the system, then great. If not, then we may see some team turmoil.
Most metrics us 0.44 instead of 0.5 to account for and1, etc. That means that 10 free throws would equal 4.4 shots, instead of 5.
OP, I'm surprised you took that screen name. Terry Teagle, pride of Broaddus High School, Baylor, and former Rockets draft pick. I doubt 5% of the people on Clutchfans even know who he is.
Im guessing this will be the playbook, 1- fastbreak 2- early low post 3- pick and roll 4- Harden ISO 5- All hell break lose. Whats not to like?
