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NBA Playoffs – Five Houston Players The OKC Thunder Need To Stop

By Matthew Hallett

Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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April 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during a stoppage in play against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
April 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) during a stoppage in play against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

James Harden

At the risk of being named Captain Obvious, Harden is the primary player that the OKC Thunder need to focus on stopping. Harden has been the starting point guard for the Houston offense the entirety of the  season. He finished the NBA regular season second in scoring with 29.1 points per  game, including making the third most three point shots in the NBA, He also took and made the most free throws in the NBA

Harden led the NBA is assists with 11.2 per game. This occurred because the Rockets surrounded him with shooters this year and he actually used them.

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So how do you stop this –all shooting, all passing machine? The first step is to not foul him. Of Harden’s 2,356 points scored 746 were from the stripe. Harden is by far the best in the NBA at drawing fouls and getting to the line. Whoever is defending Harden, (history says the primary task will go to Andre Roberson) will need to keep check of where their hands are. Harden will try and create contact with the defender.His patented move is to swipe through with his arms.  the line.

Secondly, a whole team approach of cutting off his passing lanes will force Harden to either shoot or drive. He is good at both these skills but as a team, the OKC Thunder need to force Harden to his right hand. He is less comfortable. on that side of the body. Likewise, his preference is to drive to his left.

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