Thunderous Intentions
Fansided

Five ways the Thunder can stop James Harden

By Casimir Cuffy

Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) dribbles the ball during the first quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Apr 12, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) shoots the ball during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets forward Ryan Anderson (3) shoots the ball during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Take away three-pointers/Stop the others/Matchup in transition

This second one contains three parts that all tie into each other. The Houston Rockets led the league in three-pointers made, and by a large margin. With 1,181 three-pointers made, they recorded 114 more threes than the second team (Cleveland Cavaliers). For extra context, they made 199 more threes than the Golden State Warriors.

The Rockets live and die by the three, and they are perfectly built for it. This team is filled with shooters down the roster. Ryan Anderson, Eric Gordon, Lou Williams, Patrick Beverley, Trevor Ariza and of course Harden have had a historical season shooting from deep. They will 100% look to continue to put them up at a high clip in the playoffs, nothing is expected to change on that front. It is up to OKC to keep that under control.

The Rockets get up three-pointers in a variety of ways. One of their favorite ways is in transition, before the defense can get set. The Thunder will have to make an extra effort to get back on defense quickly after missed shots because that’s how the Rockets take off on teams, no pun intended.

Harden’s passing

This season has not been all about Harden’s shooting either, despite him averaging 29+ points. He has looked to get his shooters going, and once he finds who has the hot hand, he starts to create open shots for him by drawing the defense away by driving and kicking. Or in Ryan Anderson‘s case, running the pick & pop.

It will be important for the Thunder to stay glued to these shooters on the perimeter and trust Roberson and the bigs to contain Harden. Staying home on the shooters will cause his assist numbers to take a hit and also keep players other than him from getting going.

Home/Thunder News