James Harden is among the biggest individually scorers in NBA history. In iso scenarios, he is incredibly challenging to include.
But Stan Van Gundy– the previous NBA coach turned TV expert– thinks Harden needs to make a substantial change to his game in order for the Rockets to experience more playoff success.
Harden never does things like that.
Simply watch this possession from the 2019 Western Conference finals:.
” He needs to accept playing the game a various way. He has to start the routine season and build some practices that will bring over into the playoffs.”.
” One of the things that Steph Curry does so well, is when you force him to offer the ball up, he gives it up and hes on the move. Hes on the run flying around. Hes hard to secure off the ball.
” If hes not ready to move without the ball, I believe theyre gon na be fulfilled with more of the same no matter who goes in there and coaches them,” Van Gundy said. “His routines have to alter.
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RELATED: Why Bill Simmons easily chooses Steph over Harden.
He gets to the free throw line more than anyone in the league, and his step-back 3-pointer is lethal.
Van Gundy is 100 percent right. The Warriors under coach Steve Kerr emphasize player and ball motion, and Curry seldom gets to run high ball screen after high ball screen. Rather, the two-time NBA MVP works hard at being a threat at all times, and is able to inflict damage without having possession of the ball
Now that Mike DAntoni no longer is training the Rockets, it will be fascinating to see if whoever Houston works with demands more from Harden.
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” James Harden offers the ball up and stands there. The ownership is over for James Harden. He has to be prepared to move without the ball and change his offensive technique.”
Rather, the two-time NBA MVP works hard at being a threat at all times, and is able to cause damage without having ownership of the ball
Maybe Stans brother, Jeff Van Gundy, will get the task and be tasked with tweaking things offensively to make Harden a more well-rounded gamer.
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” James Harden provides the ball up and stands there. The possession is over for James Harden. He has to be prepared to move without the ball and change his offending technique.”
” Heres one of the big problems: The (Los Angeles) Lakers (in the Western Conference semifinals) took the ball out of his hands,” Van Gundy explained today on “The Lowe Post” podcast. “Compare James Harden as soon as he gives the ball up to Steph Curry.
