BallerTalk wrote:Zespetjest wrote:That's why I said in game thread Rockets should be thankful that Nurse showed them how to play (unintentionally of course) if Harden would want his team to succed he should play much less selfish and include his team mates )RW excluded here for obvious reason)
You're a little bit out of your depth here. This is far from the first time teams have tried this with Harden.
In fact Atlanta did the exact same thing just two games ago. The difference was, once guys like McLemore (who finished with 24 points) Tucker, and Rivers started knocking down shots on the Hawks and built a double digit lead, Pierce decided to back off the double teams and Harden immediately went nuclear to the tune of 60 point in three quarters.
The Hawks unfortunately got both barrels when they decided to pull back on the doubles. Rockets role players went off AND Harden went Harden. By the time they tried to go back to it it was too late, hence the 50 point blowout.
Of course the Hawks are nowhere near the level of the Raptors but the point is teams have been trying this with Harden for some time now.
Harden generally handles it extremely well with the key for the Rockets being whether other guys are making shots.
The Rockets have dealt with a litany of injuries so far this season so they've had to piece together lineups some nights. Harden, as always, has done a masterful job carrying the Rockets through.
It will be interesting to see what the team looks like if/when they finally get healthy.
What am I trying to say is Rockets was forced to play team ball and Harden didn’t try to force anything. Thus they should know now the real path to succeed.
I know this was not the 1st time he was doubled, even my Mavs doubled him, so I’m pretty aware of this bro.