One of the reasons why Deng Fang sent out the five dead men before the game started was to restrict Howard.
Howard has excellent physical fitness. At this time, he is still a first-line star in the league, and the referee will give him some face. If he wants to restrict him, Bogut still needs to take action.
If Green is allowed to defend Howard, it will be too difficult physically, and Green will easily get into foul trouble.
Even without foul trouble, defending Howard is physically demanding on Green.
The Rockets don't have many tricks, they are Harden's isolation, Howard's isolation, plus Harden's pick-and-roll.
In order to take care of Howard's emotions, the Rockets will definitely let Howard play in isolation, especially when he is on top in the opening game, so letting Bogut come up to defend him is the best option.
Bogut still has a lot of experience dealing with centers like Howard.
Howard's singles effect was not good, so he had to change his tactics.
Harden and Howard used pick-and-rolls, and Green, who was guarding Josh Smith, shrunk his defense. The Rockets' pick-and-roll was of no use.
Harden and Smith pick and roll, and Klay and Green switch defenses!
Green has no problem guarding Harden, and with Josh Smith's offensive skills, Klay has no problem guarding him!
The pick-and-roll was useless, and Harden's one-on-one was all that was left.
Harden's one-on-one ability is quite strong, especially his ability to draw fouls.
It can be said that Harden is a master at drawing fouls. It is not an exaggeration to say that he is unprecedented and unprecedented.
Many people use the ability to draw fouls, such as Martin of the Rockets and Durant's big loop, but these people pale in comparison to Harden!
Martin and Durant will commit fouls when they have the opportunity. If they don't have the opportunity, they will occasionally force it, but it depends on luck, and the effect is average.
But Harden is different. His ability to draw fouls can be said to be a unique skill. His talent is engraved in his bones and is unrivaled!
When others break through, they put the ball away, avoid the defensive players, and don't give them a chance to steal the ball. Harden does not. He straightens his arm, aims at the opponent's arm, and hits it hard!
Who would stare at someone else's arm and hit them? This is simply anti-human. How many people can avoid it?!
Defensive players are inherently passive. In order to interfere with the opponent's dribbling or shooting, they must stretch out their arms. Only by stretching out their arms can they steal the ball or block shots when the opportunity arises. If the arms are not stretched out and are placed behind the back, isn't it considered arbitrary?
People were slaughtered?
But against Harden, as long as you stretch out your arms, you will suffer!
Because he's just staring at your arm!
Other players will occasionally use this trick when they have an idea, such as Wade, who often shakes his opponent up and then bumps into him to shoot.
But others have to at least make a fake move, and the defensive player will be deceived before resorting to fouling. Harden is different. He only focuses on drawing fouls. He has no chance to create opportunities. If he cannot create opportunities, he will fail!
If his opponent is shaken up, he will hit him. Harden will hit his opponent's arm even if he is standing still!
Yes, lift it hard, lift it from bottom to top, lift it horizontally, lift it vertically, it’s going to be on your arm anyway!
Unless you put your arms behind your back, you're bound to get picked up!
Some people say that you should just put your arms behind your back, but then Harden can shoot easily!
After all, Harden is also a defender and a star, and he also relies on shooting to make a living. If you put your hands behind your back and let him shoot at will without any interference, then you are not going to die!
This result is what Harden wants!
Two bowls of poison, either allowing me to draw fouls, or allowing me to easily shoot or lay up!
When basketball reaches this point, you can imagine how ugly it is!
I really can’t understand why those Harden fans would fall in love with him!
Of course, having said that, Harden cannot be entirely blamed for this. After all, the league's rules are there, Harden did not violate the rules, and no one can say anything.
As Harden himself said: "Don't foul if you can!"
Just like Harden fans said: "Being able to draw fouls is also a skill, which proves that he relies on his brain to play basketball!"
In short, Harden's singles ability is indeed very strong, but half of the reason is that his foul threat is too great!
Either give him a chance to score easily, or give him a chance to foul. In short, you have to choose one!
Just think about it, when you defend someone who is timid and even hesitates to reach out, will the opponent score easily? Will the other person score more points?
In fact, there is more to fouls than that. Harden's fouls not only make it easier for him to score and score more, but also limit his opponent's playing time!
Generally, those who can start are the main players of the team. The person who defends Harden is definitely not an ordinary role player. For example, for the Warriors, the one who defends Harden is Klay.
It's easier to score by yourself, more on the one hand. If Klay's playing time is limited and he shrinks on the court and cannot perform at his own level, this is also a great benefit!
Sometimes it’s even more useful than scoring by yourself!
For example, forcing the Warriors to switch defenses, challenging Curry, and causing Curry to foul!
Curry is the core of the Warriors. If he gets a few fouls and gets him off the game, the Rockets will have a greater chance of winning!
Deng Fang is very clear about this. He knows that the core of the Rockets team is Harden, and the key to defending the Rockets is to prevent Harden from drawing fouls!
As long as Harden is unable to draw fouls, as long as Harden is restricted, the Rockets will have no chance!
If it takes another two years, it will indeed be difficult to defend Harden, but Harden at this time is still not difficult to defend!
At this time, Harden was also very good at drawing fouls, but compared to Harden two years later, he was still far behind.
Of course, on the one hand, Harden has not evolved at this time and his ability to draw fouls has not yet reached the level of proficiency. On the other hand, the Rockets' lineup does not give him room to perform.
If Harden wants to use his skills, he must have space. The whole team is surrounding him, but the Rockets can't do that now. They have two players on the court, Howard and Smith, who don't have a basket. It's not easy for Harden to break through.
To draw a foul, you must break through. If you just stand there and shoot, it will be difficult to draw a foul!
The opponent is not a fool!
Deng Fang's method of defending Harden is very simple, that is to help defend and prevent you from breaking in!
Clay is close to Harden, Green is behind to help defend, and Curry and Barnes are ready to take turns to fill in at any time.
Clay is always careful not to let Harden take a shot. As soon as Harden comes in, he straightens his hand and avoids Harden's arm to prevent him from causing a foul.
If you can't, just put your hands behind your back!
What if Harden shoots?
Green comes to help defend!
Once Green came to help defend, Clay quickly switched to guard in front of Smith.
Anyway, the two of them are pretty good at guarding each other.
Of course, Harden's passing skills are not bad either, which is why it's not easy to defend him.
Fortunately, the Warriors are also very good at switching defenses. Whether it is Barnes, Green, Klay, Bogut, or even Curry, they are all very smart and have high golf IQs.
The Warriors' defense was airtight, Howard couldn't show off his power, and Harden was also restricted.
Although Beverley and Ariza found open spaces and made a few three-pointers, that was something the Warriors could withstand.
These two people will make the Warriors immortal!
Although these two three-pointers are good, they are not players with strong scoring ability!
It's impossible for these two people to rely on their own strength to kill their opponents just by shooting like Klay did!
The Rockets' offense stagnated, and the defensive end was also greatly affected. The Warriors blossomed inside and outside, and the point difference became wider and wider.
At the end of the first quarter, the score became 8:1, and the Warriors led by 17 points! (To be continued)
