James Harden is setting records, scoring as much as we've seen in 30 years, getting to the free throw line at will, and his patented step back three pointer has become one of the toughest shots to defend. Five nights ago, he scored 60 in three quarters. Last night, he scored 50 in a double overtime game. He's averaging 39.5 points on the season, which, if he keeps it up, would eclipse Michael Jordan's 37.1 average in 1987-1988 as the highest scoring average for a season since Wilt Chamberlain's 44.8 in 1962-1963.
What he is doing is rare, and while it's impressive for the record books and box scores, I do not think that will culminate in the achievement of the game's ultimate prize when we get to June. Simply put, the team needs to change the way they do things.
Take last night's loss to the San Antonio Spurs as just the latest example. Harden, who scored 50, was 11/38 from the field and 4/20 from three, and his running mate Russell Westbrook shot just 11/30, even though he had a triple double of 19/10/10. As you can see, individual numbers aren't the problem here. What the issue is is the fact that the Rockets have two players who dominate the basketball, almost as if they are taking turns. The other three guys on the court, consequently, stand around waiting for passes that may or may not come their way, especially when Harden has the ball. The final Rocket possession of last night, down 1, provided the perfect picture. Harden, on a drive, attracted three Spurs defenders, as they converged to attempt to prevent him from getting a shot up. As the defenders collapsed on him, PJ Tucker was left uncovered, wide open in the corner, which is a very make-able shot for him. Harden, dead set on either being the hero for winning or taking the fall for losing, attacked the three Spur defenders to no avail.
Instances like that are exactly why the Rockets need a change in style of play. One guy may be able to win you games for stretches, and be so dominant that no one can defend him, but, in the playoffs, when the game slows down, they'll need another way. Right now, it just seems like Harden and Westbrook are taking turns at handling the ball, free to create any way that they see fit. Now, both players are great talents, i'm not discounting that. I would take both on my team in a heartbeat. What the issue is is the way in which the team plays - ball dominance, and lack of movement and ball movement. About the only other player in the lineup that sees much action is center Clint Capela, who is great at catching lobs or pocket passes from either Harden or Westbrook.
The other thing i find interesting is the fact that Mike D'Antoni is coaching this team and their play doesn't resemble the "Seven Seconds of Less" offense that he ran in Phoenix. In that offense, with maestro Steve Nash at the controls, they would get up and down the floor - hence, their mantra - and run opposing teams out of the gym. In the four seasons under D'Antoni - 2004-2008 - they made the playoffs four times, losing in the Western Conference Finals twice in 2005 and 2006. With those teams, Nash controlled, but he controlled to get open looks for others. Harden, on the other hand, controls to score first, and pass second.
It has been harped on over and over again, but I don't feel in any way that that will contribute to winning basketball. I think that what they ought to do is give Russell Westbrook the controls, and let him create. Have him find open shooters, and still have Harden play the role of your primary scorer. What it would do is set the offense up where Harden can be put in position to score in more ways that just pounding the ball at the three point line and lulling the defense to sleep to get a shot off or drive for a foul. You could still have him dribble dribble step back and/or drive, just not as often. It would open up opportunities for others to score while putting him in higher percentage situations. Of course, with the analytical stranglehold on the Rocket organization that there currently is, I don't see them changing it up that way.
But they should.
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