Yep. PJ's our only defender w/ size on the perimeter. Last year we could rotate him & Ariza on KD. This year if PJ's out, who's gonna make KD take tough shots?
Harden is a good defensive matchup on Durant for us. Hes better at defending iso against players who dont really drive, which is Durant who is gonna pull up. Also, if you start the possession with him on durant, we dont have to switch so many actions defensively putting us out of position on the glass because they will just go straight to that matchup.
Sometimes the answers are straightforward. Guard a 7’ with a 7’. Capela on Durant Tucker on Green Harden on Igoudala Gordon on Thompson Paul on Curry If Capela dies, he dies. But Tucker is physically equal to Green and they wouldn’t run green out to set picks so the ball handler gets funneled into our best defender. With Durant likely to dominate the ball, Green being boxed out hopefully by Tucker, the rebounding is under control. Gordon can keep up with Klay and I don’t think they would look to rotate him out on the ball either. CP can keep up with Curry, Curry not likely to set picks on anyone stronger than my grandmother. It comes down to letting KD jack up mid range ISO possessions and hoping he’s off or bothered by the fact that he’s being checked by someone looking him eye to eye. That or they would get Igoudala to rotate James onto the ball and while he’s probably not going to shut anyone down, he should be quite capable of funneling anyone to any of the help defenders now available. If KD goes nuclear and scores 60 can the rest of them jumpshoot their way to 100 points? And would that be enough to stop a good offensive team at home that is frankly due for a couple big nights... I think they have a similar mindset, that’s why Curry is always on the ball. Rockets trying to foul him out but at the expensive of having to go through their 4 best help defenders after getting around him. 2-2 is coming, as well as games 5, 6 and 7.
Harden is, by far, our best defender in the post. The only possible chance we have to beat the Warriors 4 games is to play ultra small with him and PJ manning the defensive 4/5 slots.
PJ on Green and Harden on Durant is asking for foul trouble for both. Green will start running point which PJ doesn't have the lateral quickness and span to guard, while Durant will drive by James. Best option is what has been happening, using Harden to give Durant a different look, which stops Durant from getting into rhythm against him.
I wasn’t even totally off. They’re ok with KD eating as long as he’s the only one. They guarded him with everyone. Curry 15 points on a million shots, 5 fouls and a lowlight dunk attempt is fine by me. Klay and green on no rhythm. No bench points.
