USA Today via Reuters
Aug 24, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts as he brings the ball up court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 24, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) reacts as he brings the ball up court against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
James Harden is one of the most unique offensive talents in NBA history. He is an explosive scorer from anywhere on the floor and can drop 50 points on any night. However, this talent has not translated into playoff wins for the Rockets. Rockets big-man, 6’5 P.J. Tucker seems quite fed up with how teams stop the Rockets in the Playoffs.
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P.J. Tucker: “All respect due to everybody… But when you get doubled before you pass half…”
Wonder what he’s referring to 👀 pic.twitter.com/4U48YPCjJB
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) September 20, 2020
Tucker put up a series of stories on Instagram, taking apparent shots at how teams guard Harden. Though he never took Harden’s name, he referred to players getting doubled at the half-court line. That is a common strategy deployed to slow Harden down. He compares it to how Shaq and Tim Duncan were guarded, but noted that they were doubled in the post.
Him saying “all due respect to everybody” could be a shot at teams like the Lakers and Warriors that have stifled Harden in the past to eliminate the Rockets from the playoffs.
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James Harden and the story of double teams
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 24, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) takes a break during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at AdventHealth Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tucker has a valid point. However, how teams stop a player isn’t really a matter of debate. Harden is lethal a few steps within half-court, being able to drive, dish, and shoot.
The best place to stop him is at the half-court line. If all goes well and you force a turnover, you almost guarantee a fast-break bucker. If teams didn’t guard Harden the way they do, he would possibly average even more points than he does.
The onus of being able to power through such schemes falls to Harden. Even the likes of LeBron James and Michael Jordan have made it through sets with players doubling them at the half-court line.
The fact that it is a more common tactic against Harden should test his IQ and figure out how to make the best of this situation. Or the Rockets could have a point guard that can stretch the floor so Harden has easier bailouts.
