james harden winning shot

Nothing about James Harden… James Harden, … ... but Harden sure made things interesting with his winning shot. Ben McLemore is reborn. If it wasn't Harden, it was going to be someone else. The most sophisticated tracking systems do not have language to evaluate what teams are doing to Harden. Going into Monday's game against the Sacramento Kings, other Rockets had hit an astonishing 15 of 21 3s directly off passes Harden tossed out of traps, per ESPN Stats & Info data. On Dec. 10, Zach Lowe joined Mina to discuss the extreme measures NBA teams are taking to slow down James Harden. James Harden is the NBA's all-time leader in 50-point triple-doubles. A day after Dwight Howard discussed why he did not celebrate James Harden's game-winning shot beyond a brief fist pump on Thursday, Harden explained why … Danuel House Jr. missed three recent games, but he is back and shooting 43% from deep. In game 3 of the Rockets vs. Warriors series, the game came down to a very crucial game-winning shot by James Harden and a key turnover by Draymond Green. It steers his teammates into playmaking roles outside their normal skill sets -- a recipe for turnovers: Houston's turnovers are up slightly since the trapping started, and opponents are punishing them more in transition. The only solution is to watch every Houston possession and tabulate what happens after the trap. Perhaps three defenders can chase those four non-Harden Rockets until the defense resets itself. The Nets didn’t get to unveil their Big 3, because Kyrie Irving is still out. James Harden was just another freshman at Artesia High, until he hit a game-winning shot Rockets guard James Harden is the NBA’s leader in player efficiency rating. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, Big Apple Buckets: A NY Knicks Basketball Podcast They beat the Portland Trail Blazers 104-101 on Thursday night for their fourth straight win. He arranges the chess pieces the way he likes. Houston's opponents should face less foul trouble. All times Eastern. Listen. There have been a few of those. Kevin Durant made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 36 seconds left, James Harden had 34 points and 12 assists, and the Brooklyn Nets edged the Milwaukee Bucks 125-123 on Monday night. The Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks dialed it up to 11; they had second defenders ready before Harden crossed the half-court line. "The last shot was typical of what James does," Rockets coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. Late in the Raptors game, Harden found himself open on the wing, caught a pass from Rivers, drained a rare catch-and-shoot 3, and flashed the prayer hands gesture at Rivers: Thank you for satisfying my craving. They are 4-5. (Tony Gutierrez / … All times Eastern. Terms of Use Last season, he attempted almost 700 step-back 3s -- more than any other team.The NBA on ESPN and ABCThe NBA is back! Harden cycled through co-stars Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, Russell Westbrook and Wall before finally deciding to give up No. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Monday through Friday, host Mina Kimes brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. Four of Houston's 10 best games in terms of shot quality -- their expected effective field-goal percentage based on the location of each shot, the shooter and the proximity of the nearest defender -- have come since Nov. 20 in Denver, per Second Spectrum. Snare enough, and the math behind trapping might tilt toward those opponents. DeChambeau's birdie putt slid by some 5 feet and he shook his arms in celebration when the par putt dropped. Traps might expose open 3s for role players, but Houston is going to take a ton of 3s regardless. Scrambling, zone-style defenses have a harder time locating opponents to box out. It was VanVleet's job, and he was ready. Now, most of Houston's lineups feature two non-shooters -- Westbrook and Capela. Sunday, March 14 Defensive stopper James Harden stifled scoring whiz Luguentz Dort in the biggest moment. Seven players scored at least nine points, with Mason Jones scoring a career-high nine points. "'We have been emphasizing it," D'Antoni said. Few conceived it was possible to build an efficient offense around isolation 3s. It was Houston’s first game without Harden since 2012, when Oklahoma City traded its young guard to the Rockets primarily due to salary cap constraints. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, © 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved He bluntly said the Rockets were “just not good enough” and that he did not believe the situation could be fixed. ... teammate he’s had that he knew could also hit a winning shot. Since coming to the Nets, Harden has bought into the team’s title aspirations. "Them not having Gordon really helped," Malone said. Getty James Harden looks at the referee in disbelief. Can you name the 5 other NBA players that have had at least 1 50-point triple-double? Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, Fullcourt on Flatbush: A Brooklyn Nets Basketball “It was fun. James Harden has been incredible averaging 27.3 points per game, 10.6 assists per game, and 9.6 rebounds per game. Get the latest odds on all the top sports. The Nuggets held Harden to 27 points on 16 shots and beat the Houston Rockets 105-95 -- a major reversal after Houston had won 10 of 11 prior matchups. Houston's defense ranks just 18th in points allowed per possession over those nine games. Trapping robs him of control. "If we go long periods where guys aren't making shots, he might try to do it all himself. If it wasn't Harden, it was going to be someone else. When James Harden arrived in Houston on Oct. 27, ... Harden didn’t invent the 3-point shot, nor the concept of drawing fouls as a core offensive philosophy. Interestingly, the Raptors were ready for all of this on Thursday in Toronto -- and it didn't really matter. Their record after trading away their … Trapping also could take a mental toll on Harden. Second Spectrum, the gold standard, cannot directly tell you how many points per possession Houston scores when opponents trap Harden.ESPN Daily podcastMonday through Friday, host Mina Kimes brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet.On Dec. 10, Zach Lowe joined Mina to discuss the extreme measures NBA teams are taking to slow down James Harden. Some who worry the game has veered too far toward 3-pointers argue the only fix is to change the rules somehow. (This is the subject of Goldsberry's book.). We've received your submission. And you couldn't really blame him.". Zoom further out, and the double-teaming hints at tensions surrounding the very nature of the sport. • Clippers at Pelicans, 9 p.m. on ESPN He is too good. It's more taxing to drive into the teeth of the defense over and over than to give up the ball at half-court. Harden, who finished with 35 points, then took it downcourt and stepped back for the jump shot to win it. And we had four or five guys who were out to lunch.”. The math made it … “Everybody has so much to prove.”. Your California Privacy Rights James Harden posted another triple-double as the Brooklyn Nets finished strong down the stretch and extended their winning streak to seven games with a 127-118 victory over the skidding Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night in New York. The math made it inevitable that some player, sometime, would stretch the boundaries of the sport this way. By. Rockets win first game without James Harden: ‘It was fun’ By Associated Press. The LA Clippers trapped Harden even though they sport some of the league's best perimeter defenders. Teams are resorting to traps because they feel they have no alternative -- that the risk of fouling Harden is too high to defend him with one player. When the Nets need crucial scoring, Harden meticulously picks his spots, whether that is a 3-pointer or beating his player off the dribble to get to the basket. Your Ad Choices (Tony … If and when he changes teams, can Harden, one of the most ball-dominant players in NBA history, scale … This is the antithesis of one-on-one math ball, even if the result is a 3: Houston's supporting cast is punishing the traps. Eric Gordon has hit 38% of his catch-and-shoot 3s as a Rocket. Former Most Valuable Player James Harden spent eight years in Houston before going through an ugly divorce with the Rockets. Privacy Notice The teams meet again Saturday at the AT&T Center in the finale of a two-game set in San Antonio. Main Photo: And though he missed one from that final rack, Curry hit the last money ball to win the competition . They also know the best way to defang double-teams is to rush the ball up the floor before the defense can spring one. Postgame quotes from the 124-113 win over San Antonio Posted: Mar 02, … When Harden tried to outrace the traps against Toronto, VanVleet was lurking: Panicked defenses have swarmed Stephen Curry in transition like that for years. If we get a shot at the rim, there's very little teams that can stop us and guard us. It opened up so much that Durant poured in a game-high 42 points on 5-for-8 shooting from 3-point range, while the rest of the Nets benefited from their star teammates’ gravity. Before 2017, teams pursued 3s using traditional tools: pick-and-roll, drive-and-kick, shooters fanning to the wing in transition. Harden replied he was still fresh because he hadn't done much beyond passing out of doubles, D'Antoni said.Get the best of ESPN sent to your inbox The ESPN Daily delivers the biggest sports news and moments every weekday.Sign me up!Privacy PolicyRead the LatestEmail: And yet: The trapping probably isn't going away. • Clippers at Pelicans, 9 p.m. on ESPN John Wall Takes Another Shot at James Harden After Houston Rockets Extend Their Winning-Streak. Austin Rivers is 14-of-40 on 3s since the Nuggets game, and he has been a steadying two-way presence. That is happening with Harden now. Last season, Houston surrounded Harden with Clint Capela and three capable shooters. James Harden is a cold-blooded man. "He's gonna get frustrated," D'Antoni said. James Harden #13 of the Nets drives off a screen by DeAndre Jordan #6 against Dejounte Murray #5 of the San Antonio Spurs in the second half at AT&T Center on … Westbrook can kick to Harden and let him attack a jumbled defense. The Nets’ blockbuster move to get James Harden has stunned... Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Do Not Sell My Personal Information. It was really cool stuff,” Houston’s first-year coach Stephen Silas said. Christian Wood had 27 points and 15 rebounds, and the Rockets rallied to beat the San Antonio Spurs 109-105 on Thursday night in their first game since trading away the franchise cornerstone. The Nuggets held Harden to 27 points on 16 shots and beat the Houston Rockets 105-95 -- a major reversal after Houston had won 10 of 11 prior matchups. Steals don't just represent empty trips for the Rockets. That dovetails with public data. James Harden is a cold-blooded man. The Rockets have just enough shooting, and they can always juice it by removing Capela and slotting Tucker at center. Sterling Brown, who took Harden’s spot in the starting lineup, had 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes. "It's a constant.". Bharat Aggarwal. Eight days before the Denver Nuggets tweaked the blueprint for guarding James Harden by double-teaming him everywhere, Young lit up Denver for 42 points in a rare road win for the Atlanta Hawks. Behind James Harden and Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the San Antonio Spurs on Monday in overtime, giving the franchise its first road win in San Antonio since January 22, 2002. The Houston Rockets bench was surprisingly subdued when James Harden hit what turned out to be the game-winning shot with 2.7 seconds left in Game 3 … James Harden posted another triple-double as the Brooklyn Nets finished strong down the stretch and extended their winning streak to seven games with a … What Is James Harden Willing to Sacrifice? Harden proved he could make enough, and draw enough three-shot fouls, to do it. Share on ... James Harden asked if he’s surprised the #Rockets didn’t make a run: “We’re just not good enough..Chemistry, talent-wise, ev Thanks for contacting us. The more James sees it, the easier it's going to be. Trapping Harden meant a near instant catch-and-shoot 3. Harden remained publicly quiet through months of rumors about his unhappiness with the Rockets, but he broke that silence following a second blowout loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. Capela's defender -- the guy who is supposed to trap -- is often running toward the paint, unaware Capela and Harden have called an audible. That's a discrete play type these systems identify and log. (This does not include conventional traps on pick-and-rolls -- just all-out two-against-one traps.) Houston is also third in offensive rebounding rate since the Nuggets went all-in on trapping. SAN ANTONIO — Houston’s first game without James Harden went better than anyone could have expected. Nets James Harden, DeAndre Jordan, and Kyrie Irving address the team’s ability to win without superstar Kevin Durant and how they still miss having him on the court. "When we get him back, I don't see how it works," D'Antoni said. Tucker, who made two free throws to seal it. No copyright infringement is … The Nets needed every ounce of firepower that James Harden and Kevin Durant could muster as the two totaled 64 points, including the game-winning three-pointer by Durant, in a pulsating 125-123 Martin D'Antoni is urging guys to hit the glass. Steve Nash speaking to the media, says James Harden is doing well playing with other star players but is still a #1 guy. SAN ANTONIO — Houston’s first game without James Harden went better than anyone could have expected. San Antonio forward Keldon Johnson had a career-high 29 points and Lonnie Walker IV added 16 points while tying a career-high with four 3-pointers. Nordstrom Rack spring sale takes up to 65 percent off select items, Here are the best meat delivery services and subscriptions, 18 pre-made Easter baskets that come already filled for you, The JBL Go 3 is a Sexy, Fully Waterproof Speaker for under $40, HP takes up to 45 percent off computers and accessories for Semi-Annual Sale, Meghan Markle's half-sister says estranged sibling has 'narcissistic personality disorder'. Maybe it's easier to swallow McLemore and Tucker beating you than to watch Harden get 50. “We had spirit tonight.”. Harden finished with 29 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds for his sixth triple-double as a Net. Did James Harden Just Take a Shot at Rockets Fans? Malone rectified that against Harden on Nov. 20. James Harden impressed Golden State Warrior vs Houston Rockets January 4, 2019-20 NBA Season All clips property of the NBA. Denver doubled Harden all over the floor, sometimes early in the shot clock and sometimes late -- random, last-second blitzes from odd angles. James Harden's foul-lane jumper with 2.7 seconds in the fourth quarter gave the Rockets the winning margin. James Harden scored a game-high 38 points as his 3 gave Brooklyn (18-12), winners of four straight, its first lead of the game, 126-124, with 31.4 seconds left. Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify, Up In The Blue Seats: A NY Rangers Hockey Podcast The Capela midcourt screens no longer worked, because Capela's guy wasn't supposed to double. It's not an isolation. The results suggest the gambit isn't working, but evidence is murky for any sample size this small, and there are already hints of how the scheme might irritate the Rockets. "One less shooter.". There is no screen. James Harden posted another triple-double as the Brooklyn Nets finished strong down the stretch and extended their winning streak to seven games with a … Harden already has evinced some frustration when his outlets don't go where he wants: This was the very next Houston possession: That's not a bad shot. No one strategy is going to contain Harden. Either iteration of the Westbrook-Harden pick-and-roll -- rarely used now -- would raise complications for trapping defenses. HOUSTON -- The NBA says James Harden'sgame-winning shot in theHouston Rockets' Game 3, 97-96 win over the Golden State Warriorsshould not have counted. They are basketball eye rolls. As Kirk Goldsberry outlined in his must-read book "Sprawlball," the overhaul in offensive strategy during the past decade stems from a simple fact: In a game of finite possessions, three is so much more than two that teams should do almost anything to chase that extra point. Behind James Harden and Kyrie Irving, the Brooklyn Nets defeated the San Antonio Spurs on Monday in overtime, giving the franchise its first road win in San Antonio since January 22, 2002. He has been able to facilitate and find wide open shooters with this elite fakes and driving ability. It’s what had Harden so fired-up as they take a four-game winning streak into Thursday’s marquee matchup with LeBron James and the Lakers. They also will be better at disguising traps and finding the middle ground between pressuring Harden and overcommitting with an obviousness he diagnoses a mile away. The Spurs ended up winning the game on two free throws with no time left on the clock by Lonnie Walker. James Harden led the Nets with 29 points, 25 in the first half, and shot 9 of 21 overall and committed six turnovers. He wants to shoot. What’s most distressing about the James Harden “holdout” and demand for a ... when he said Durant was the first teammate he’s had that he knew could also hit a winning shot. That seems OK with Harden — as long as the Nets are winning. In 2013, Harden shot just 39 percent from the field in the Rockets’ opening-round loss to OKC. "They are going to take a million anyway.". The traps might allow Harden to preserve energy. There will be a quarter or a half when it works: When role players miss, Harden gets fidgety, and Houston goes haywire. … PJ Tucker has hit 44% from deep and 51% from the corners. The NBA is back! Westwood's tee shot settled in a divot, and he did well to get it on the green and two-putt from 65 feet. On those shots, the closest defenders were more than seven feet away. Houston has scored 1.093 points per chance on shots that follow -- after one or more passes -- Harden dishing out of a double-team as he crosses midcourt, a mark that would lead all half-court offenses both for the season and since Nov. 20. Toward the end of the first quarter in Toronto, D'Antoni asked Harden when he wanted to rest. Brooklyn Nets guard James Harden (13) celebrates a three point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets … On Harden pick-and-rolls, Houston might station Westbrook on the wing as a release valve -- a classic D'Antoni technique known as "shorting" the pick-and-roll: The Rockets vary Westbrook's positioning or have Harden attack from places where it is hard to trap -- the sidelines and even the corners. Nets James Harden, DeAndre Jordan, and Kyrie Irving address the team’s ability to win without superstar Kevin Durant and how they still miss having him on the court. DeRozan had 13 points, seven assists and six rebounds in his return from a two-game absence due to personal reasons. James Harden’s debut in Brooklyn wasn’t just victorious. The ESPN Daily delivers the biggest sports news and moments every weekday. "Kyrie might score 10 possessions in a row. Catch all the 2020-21 season action on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App.Sunday, March 14 Sitemap Listen. Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Your California Privacy Rights NBA: No positive tests during ASG weekend, Former All-Star Blake Griffin signs deal with Nets, Giannis, perfect in Team LeBron win, nabs MVP, Simons nearly kisses rim in winning dunk contest, Warriors' Curry edges Conley for 2nd 3-point title, Kawhi plans to play for Pop, USA in Tokyo Games, 'Pristine' Kobe rookie card sells for nearly $1.8M, An NBA double standard is hindering Black head coach candidates, NBA Power Rankings: The questions, stars and matchups that matter in the second half, Customized Air Jordans raise more than $500K for Portland children's hospital, 'He was a basketball genius': How a 17-year-old Kobe wowed Jerry West and the Lakers, Lowe: Ten NBA things I like and don't like, including the Rondo-LeBron combo, NBA trade deadline: Lists of every restricted, available player. Westwood closed with a 73, not a bad score considering the average of 75.49 was the highest for a final round since 1980. The Rockets were also without John Wall and Eric Gordon due to injuries. Nothing about James Harden's return to the Toyota Center came as much of a surprise. John Wall takes shot at James Harden with Rockets on three-game winning streak These Black transgender women are fighting housing insecurity for LGBTQ+ … James Harden is now a Brooklyn Net, pairing him with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to form one of the greatest Big 3s we've ever seen in NBA history. Those teams should keep the traps in their arsenal, regardless of the early returns. "That's the way I looked at it," Toronto coach Nick Nurse told ESPN. The next year, Harden shot 8-for-28 from the field in … What's interesting is how the Rockets bench reacted to that shot. Forcing the Rockets to pass more also bumps up the risk of live-ball turnovers. If Harden gets downhill, it's over. Disdain drips from his fingertips when he finally acquiesces to the trap and passes. James Harden rose for an uncontested dunk. Lowe: James Harden vs. double-teams -- who's winning? That number jumps to 116.6 with Harden on the floor. Houston in that span has averaged a mammoth 1.14 points per possession anytime opponents trap Harden on a pick-and-roll, according to Second Spectrum data. Teams aren't going to double Harden away from the ball. Catch all the 2020-21 season action on ESPN, ABC and the ESPN App. In 2017-18, Harden became the first player ever to consistently generate 3-pointers one-on-one -- no screen, no prelude -- with what has become his patented move: the step-back trey. He needed to hit almost every single shot to win. THE BEST INSIGHTS FROM THE ULTIMATE INSIDERS, Jalen Rose: Renaissance Man It was very much an I'm shooting this no matter what because I'm sick of passing shot. It is worth playing those mind games. The best teams are going to toggle between lots of looks. LeBron James… "Will it work next time? The Rockets have a new coach and general manager whose first task is dealing with an unhappy James Harden. Even if trapping is the ultimate compliment, you can sense Harden doesn't respect it. There is no play type for "guy walking near half-court when two enemies bum-rush him." We are getting wide-open shots.". Meghan Markle's interview was full of bull, Biden cancels visit to alleged national stockpile profiteer: White House, Somber Kate and Camilla spotted day after Meghan's Oprah tell-all, Impostor 'Gorilla Glue girl' GoFundMe account pulled, Meghan Markle reveals her true self in Oprah interview: Devine, © 2021 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, NBA is taking notice of Steve Nash’s coaching strides, Blake Griffin joined Nets for one reason only, Lakers in mix for star center after Blake Griffin miss, Kevin Durant’s team didn’t have a chance in All-Star Game, Rangers really need a healthy Igor Shesterkin, Mets outfielder turned to childhood hero in quest to win full-time job: Sherman, Big Apple Buckets: A NY Knicks Basketball Podcast, Fullcourt on Flatbush: A Brooklyn Nets Basketball, Up In The Blue Seats: A NY Rangers Hockey Podcast. Harden's shots and points are down since Nov. 20 in Denver, even though that nine-game stretch includes both 60- and 50-point outbursts. Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum and Rodions Kurucs, who the Rockets acquired along with numerous draft picks and draft swaps for Harden, are not with the team yet. James Harden posted another triple-double as the Brooklyn Nets finished strong down the stretch and extended their winning streak to seven games with a … RACE FOR FOURTH Gianluca Mancini’s bullet header helped Roma move back into the top four and the Champions League spots. "After that game, I said never again will one player beat us," Nuggets coach Michael Malone told ESPN. Playoff teams -- the teams Houston will see when it matters -- are naturally more stocked with long, smart defenders who can survive 3-on-4 below the traps. Harden is a control freak. Winner: James Harden. News: 3 days ago Harden submitted 29 points (10-15 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 5-7 FT), 14 assists, 10 rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot across 41 minutes Wednesday in the Nets' 132-114 win over the Rockets. If he continues this level of play with KD returning, the Nets will have a great chance of winning it all. Their shooting around Harden should only improve. The Rockets can stick Harden off the ball and let Westbrook initiate. Nets James Harden, DeAndre Jordan, and Kyrie Irving address the team's ability to win without superstar Kevin Durant and how they still miss having him on the court. "It definitely worked," Malone said. The pounding and probing and shot-clock-eating ball dominance, every Rockets possession seemingly ending with a Harden shot or a Harden pass or Harden free throws. "I can't predict how it's going to go," Harden said. Christian Wood had 27 points and … Even if Westbrook refuses to shoot, he uses the open space to slice into the lane, draw help and kick the ball to someone else. ... but Harden sure made things interesting with his winning shot. It's just a dude strolling with a basketball. Harden was overeager against Sacramento Monday whenever he spotted single coverage, and careened his way into eight turnovers.Editor's PicksLowe: Ten NBA things I like and don't like, including the Rondo-LeBron comboNBA trade deadline: Lists of every restricted, available player1 Related. “We had a team meeting after that last game against the Lakers and we drew the line there,” Tate said. Jan. 16: Newly-acquired James Harden celebrates with Kevin Durant after a big shot during his first game with the Nets. It was glorious. Harden drains step-back 3 on first shot of game James Harden gets the ball at the top of the arc and steps back for a 3-pointer in his return to Houston. Coaches wonder if Gordon's return from knee surgery will mark the tipping point at which trapping becomes untenable. The Rockets also are smart about having Capela screech to a halt in semi-transition and screen for Harden near midcourt. Doubling done well can minimize Harden's free throw attempts. You can get that figure for Harden pick-and-rolls. It's easier to defend 3-on-4 below the trap if two of those four won't launch 3s. The upheaval led to more minutes for the remaining roster, and they took advantage of it. January 29, 2021 2:42 pm. The Houston Rockets seem to have put behind all the chaos from the James Harden trade saga behind them now. That said, it's … Refers to the #Rockets taking Golden State to … The gurus at ESPN Stats & Information and I did that, starting with that Nuggets game and running through Sunday's action. The Rockets staged a 15-2 run to lead 105-101 with 1:46 left. James Harden took a shot at a former All-Star’s credibility after some unfound criticism. Other Golden State Warriors get dunks because two and three defenders surround Curry 30 feet from the rim. The main goal is obvious: Get the ball out of Harden's hands and make his supporting cast beat you. One seldom-discussed benefit of iso ball -- including Harden's brand -- is that it typically results in a low turnover rate. Milan doubled its lead five minutes after the interval when Dalot finished a well-worked team move with a shot into the top left corner. “It’s got nothing to do with defense (or) offense,” Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said of the late swoon. San Antonio veteran DeMar DeRozan missed a 15-footer with 0.4 seconds left, and the Spurs fouled P.J. James Harden’s Value. He has provided the Nets with stability as Kyrie and KD, predominantly, have been sidelined with injuries or health protocols. “Spirit is something I believe a lot in and talk a lot about,” Silas said. Mancini scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute as Roma moved a point above fifth-place Atalanta. Since that game, Harden has been doubled earlier in possessions and more aggressively than perhaps any player ever over any extended stretch. In a bizarre circle-of-life twist, trapping has reimposed stylistic normalcy upon the Rockets. The NBA said James Harden's game-winning shot in the Houston Rockets' 97-96 win over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday should not have … Justin Verrier: Harden was right—he did do everything he could.Just not in the way he thinks. "It doesn't bother us," Houston coach Mike D'Antoni told ESPN. They are the most profitable way for opponents to start an offensive possession. The Kings tried something similar Monday, only they sometimes had two extra defenders sandwich Harden -- and linger in something like a three-man trap long after Capela slipped back toward the rim: Doubling Harden with smaller players has the downstream benefit of leaving larger, rangier defenders to protect the rim and fly at shooters. Instead of doubling Harden with whatever defender happened to be nearby, they designated Fred VanVleet as Harden's second shadow. James Harden was just another freshman at Artesia High, until he hit a game-winning shot Rockets guard James Harden is the NBA’s leader in player efficiency rating. Houston and Harden already are growing comfortable gashing the traps. Hit The Notifications Bell So You Won't Miss Anything About NBA Subscribe this channel Now！ HOUSTON -- The NBA says James Harden'sgame-winning shot in theHouston Rockets' Game 3, 97-96 win over the Golden State Warriorsshould not have counted.