TheProfessor wrote:Harden is actually not that great a 3 point shooter, I think he shoots something like 36% with his stepback 3. Which is like 54% true shooting, which is under league average. What makes Harden scary is when he gets to the paint and starts alley ooping to capela/faried or just shooting 60% plus all the fouls he draws. Utah/the nba needs to switch everything with Harden and let him shoot 3's LIGHTLY contested, if you can make Harden take a step back and basically shoot off balance you have done your job. When he steps back, you are not contesting the shot regardless. If he hits 6 of 12 threes, well you tried. But statistically over a 7 game series you will be alright.
Harden actually shoots 38~39% on his stepback threes. It's his other threes that he's not great at. His stepback threes are pretty deadly given that most of them are off-the-dribble, high-degree-of-difficulty type of shots, and Harden still knocks them down at a very respectable rate.
I think last year it was even more effective; Harden shot 45% on his stepback threes during the regular season.
So giving up on Harden's stepback three would be tantamount to committing suicide. Rather, make him take regular three pointers, which he shoots at 34~35% rate.
Also, shooting 37% while leading the league in three pointers made is still pretty impressive. Is Harden as great as Curry or Klay in that department? No, but he's still pretty great shooter, similar to Lillard tier, but probably a bit better.