Discussing what kind of players a super star needs to match is a very interesting thing. Even in the era when the routines are closer, for a top outside star, it is simply summarized as stacking 3D + empty picking The pie saying that everything is going well cannot be accepted by everyone. Take Harden and Curry as examples. Both are historical pick-and-rollers. The former is the top singles player and the latter is the top shooter. The difference in attributes makes them different requirements for their teammates. Curry’s team can tolerate that the team has two non-spatial points on the field. Curry needs his teammates to pass, cover the defender, and have the ability to play fast and change defense. In fact, Thompson, Dreamcatcher Green, Iguodala, Livingston, the teammates who have played the longest time with Curry, are like this.
So the question is, what kind of teammate is Harden suitable for?
Harden has been diligently retreating three-pointers in recent years, strengthening the confrontation ability to ensure the stability of the shot, and on the premise of ensuring that the explosive power is not lost, the ability to open the opponent to create the space for the shot . This makes most of the strikers in the league helpless against him, taking into account the exaggerated lateral distance, so that few players can fight him. But as a power guard, he has become more and more struggling to chase and defend small guards in recent years. This does not mean that Harden cannot defend the ball holder. For example, when playing the Spurs, the team sometimes asks Harden to defend DeRozan and play Raptors To defend Siakam.
Harden's defensive effect is still very good when defending against those who rely on skill and confrontation with the ball holder, and he can’t keep up with small guards and off-ball shooters. problem lies in. So what task is Harden's defensive end in most cases now? Opposite two forwards, choose one with poor shots and low offensive participation to defend. Harden can stand there in a daze, run to the basket to help defend, and decide according to his defensive willingness. In this defensive system customized for him, Harden has a good defensive performance. The top backboard rate, block rate, and steal rate among the guards can create opposing insiders or strikers with wingspan and weight. Occasionally, he can also send a few eye-catching frame protection performances.
In order for Harden to defend against power forwards, the team's forwards must be able to directly defend against opponents' defenders. Ariza and Barmott in the 17-18 season Both can directly take charge of the point guard. Although Tucker is a little strenuous, it is also quite explosive. Paul was able to maintain a fierce fighting level while taking care of assisted defenses. Capela's defense assisted defenses were all online. A few people worked together to cover up Harden's defensive problems, and even Harden was able to play highlights from time to time in the second half of the Western Conference Finals. Defense.
However, there are still a few forward defenders who can directly take over the guards. Those who can take care of offense are even rarer, and they are almost not for sale. So after Ariza left, he has been plagued by the coach's formation. In the end, the coaching staff can only sacrifice high priority to ensure the flexibility of defense. Doesn't Harden need a guard? Then I can go directly to the guard. So in these two years of games, we frequently saw the Rockets' three small guard lineup. The Rockets let McClemore and Gordon serve as small forwards. There does not seem to be a standard-sized forward player on the scene. The team also values their ability to defend guards and squeeze screens.
Offensively, Harden has much less requirements for his teammates, especially Harden is now able to achieve as high as 4% of the throwing efficiency in the near frame position for two consecutive years Come to avoid assisting defense; simplify the dribble steps, if you dare to defend alone, he can hit you with a three-point hit rate of more than 40% of the back step; the ability to hit difficult three-pointers when the double-team is not fully formed ; To catch the ball at a super long distance. Therefore, Capella’s active running ability and top pie-eating finishing skills complement Harden; Gordon can split to any position beyond the three-point line to catch the ball, which minimizes the pressure of Harden being doubled. There is also a breakthrough ability like a small steel cannon, so that opponents can lose sight of one another..
Why is Ariza the perfect guard with a knife?
Ariza is the most special. This player can take over defenders on the defensive end and help chase and defend the most aggressive off-the-ball shooter. The offensive end has the same functionality that other rocket shooters cannot replace. Take McLemore, who has performed well this season as a comparison:
McLemore’s positional battle catching and shooting efficiency is better than 49% of the players, of which as many as 68% of the shots are in a state of unattended;
How about Ariza in the 17-18 season? Not only is the efficiency of receiving and shooting positions better than 71% of players, only 46% of their shots are left unattended!
Even if the 17-18 Ariza is on the edge of the playoffs, the Rockets trust him very much for no reason. In addition to being able to meet the defenses, Ali Zan can perform follow-up processing after receiving the ball, and cooperate with Harden as a screen, and can master the angle of the screen and the timing of the cut, which is very significant in strategic value. It is the Rockets that no one can match now. Considering that Harden's 19-20 season may be better than 17-18 season, it is still a pity not to meet the strongest teammate at the strongest moment.
Just like chasing a dream, Thompson, Iguodala and Livingston represent the Warriors’ team-building philosophy, Capella, Gordon, and Ariza also represent The Rockets’ team-building philosophy represents the Rockets’ requirements for pie-eaters, shooters and wing players. But just as Curry fans don’t have to complain about the problem of team space, Harden fans shouldn’t complain that the team always sends three small guards. These seeming helpless moves are actually the most suitable for him under the current team structure. Configuration.
