Five ways the Thunder can stop James Harden

3. Don’t get lost on their pick & roll

Other than the three-point shooting, the pick & roll is the staple of the Rockets’ offense this season. Whether it is Anderson or Clint Capela coming to set the screen, the Rockets thrive on creating mismatches from it and open lanes to the hoop.

The pick & roll is designed to leave the ball-handler with uncontested shots or clean passes to open players, and also leave the player that set the screen with an open lane after the pass or a way to get an easy foul. The defense has to be crisp when defending the pick & roll and it takes communication. The Rockets do many things with the pick & roll to keep the defense guessing.

OKC Thunder against the pick & roll

The Thunder have not been the best team against the pick & roll and a lot of that has to do with the personnel on the floor during it. Roberson and Steven Adams can hold their own defending the pick & roll, but once Enes Kanter and other guards start being pulled into those situations things get a bit frustrating. If Kanter is the big man involved in the action, history has shown it will likely lead to a bucket or a foul for the opposing team.

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Kanter’s footwork leaves much to be desired and against James Harden coming at him full speed, his defense looks even worse. Enes may become a liability if Houston gets too many easy buckets through the pick & roll and be forced to the bench.

Communication helps ease the confusion against a player like Harden looking to confuse them. Watching the roll man closely and forcing the ball-handler (Harden) into a tough shot by going over the screen will help as well. Going under the screen would force an open step-back three, which is Harden’s specialty. Going over the screen will leave the big open for a pass, so it’s pick your poison and the Thunder will likely choose the one that doesn’t involve a Harden three-pointer.