AlthoughJames HardenHe lost his temper before the start of the season and was out of shape after returning to the team, but his skills have not deteriorated at all. In the first three games after the start of the season, Harden averaged 37 points, 11 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game. His field goal and three-point shooting percentages were as high as 52.5% and TP3T respectively. 45.5%, although the current record is only 1 win and 2 losses, the future is promising after John Wall returns to the team.
"The Athletic" Rockets reporter Echo wrote in a column that Harden accepted adjustments from new head coach Stephen Silas to reduce the proportion of singles and rely on the team system to strengthen offensive diversity. Harden also has a chance to win the scoring title without relying on singles.
In the past two seasons, Harden has become a singles specialist under the Rockets' tactical arrangements. Last season, the proportion of singles was as high as 45%, averaging 14.1 singles per game, scoring 1.12 points per round, and his efficiency was better than that of a player with 91.5%. In the 2018-19 season, it was an exaggerated 48.7%, averaging 1.11 points in 16.4 times per game, which was better than the players with 92.7%.
Although from the perspective of today's data experts, singles is the offensive method with the lowest CP value, Harden has used super strong singles weapons to overturn this statement. He has led the Rockets to good records in consecutive years, but he has been repeatedly targeted in the playoffs. , and the loss of physical strength also greatly reduced his efficiency at critical moments.
Although Silas continues to let Harden hold the ball a lot in the new season, the proportion of isolation offenses has dropped to 27.21 TP3T, leaving an average of 8.3 times per game (6 times less than the previous season). However, the points scored per possession have increased to 1.36 points.
In the past, the reason for Harden's high proportion of isolations was the lack of pick-and-roll partners. Clint Capela had a single attack method and could not pop out. new partnerChristian WoodHe can shoot and has more skills. Silas arranged a lot of pick-and-rolls for Harden and Wood, with a ratio of 30.41 TP3T. He averaged 9.3 pick-and-rolls per game and scored 1.179 points per round.
Further reading:[Know My Name] Christian Wood: In addition to being a confirmed case of pneumonia, he is also the future of the Pistons' restricted area!
In addition, Silas also designed a large number of screens and hand passes around DeMarcus Cousins and Wood, allowing Harden to run around them. Harden averaged 2.3 hand passes per game this season, compared with only 0.9 last season.
"When Harden holds the ball, the opponent will directly double-team him. He can attract the opponent's heavy troops." Silas said, "When Wall holds the ball, Harden can be without the ball. We use some movement and tactics to allow Harden to receive the ball in good mismatches and positions. Get the ball and execute singles with a high success rate.”
The added benefit of having Harden play less singles is that he can preserve his physical fitness until critical moments. In the victory over the Kings, Harden scored 16 points in the fourth quarter. The last 16 points were either Harden assists or he scored.
Harden is currently very satisfied with this positioning, "I don't need to hold the ball all the time to be in a scoring position. I can always threaten the opponent's defense. My teammates and coaches have done a good job."
