Grab as many stars as possible, worry about fit later.
That is the philosophy of the Rockets ever tinkering general manager, Daryl Morey. Meanwhile, it became clear James Harden could not carry his team alone and in a league where one team has four of the best 15 players, he may never even get close. So, Morey grabbed another player in need of help. Chris Paul, like Harden, has been carrying the sole ball handler title for much too long.
Paul and Harden were forced to hold their breath while others attempted to steer a ship that was solely suited to be maneuvered by them. They have a combined plus/minus of +2,749 over the last three seasons but that number sunk to -735 when they were off the court. The Rockets can now, conceivably, have 48 minutes of ingenious point guard play, which is a necessity in a league where 48 minutes of competence is no longer enough.
Now that Daryl got his second star (again), it’s time to focus on the fit. True, they compounded upon a strength but they may have also stumbled into fixing a flaw. The Rockets offense was entirely too predictable in the playoffs. Even though the chances of offensive explosions are high, because of the bevy of three’s and dunks they execute, the chances of running cold seem equally elevated.
The Spurs ripped the Rockets’ offense apart by neglecting the same part of the floor that the Rockets do, the mid-range. Dropping their bigs deep into the paint on pick and rolls, daring the Rockets guards to shoot as the wings stuck onto the guys along the outside.
Teams like the Spurs can no longer deploy this strategy with impunity because of Chris Paul. Paul is a wizard at the fading mid-range jumper when coming off a pick. If there is a Rockets strategy that trumps the call to avoid the mid-range, it’s Mike D’Antoni’s allowance of players to be themselves. Chris Paul will not be asked to never take another mid-range jumper, just fewer of them.
Chris Paul will also have a smooth transition from the lobtastic Deandre Jordan to Clint Capela, who became one of the best finishers in the league last year. He hit 72.5 percent of his attempts inside three feet while Jordan hit 75 percent from the same distance. Mike D’Antoni will utilize having two of the best playmaker’s in the NBA on one team in congruence with his underrated big man. He won’t simply have them run high pick and rolls all day, bouncing back and forth between offensive carriers. He will be able to use them in unique ways to keep both actively involved.
CapelSLAM pic.twitter.com/3pyxbKak9e
— Justin Jett (@JustinJett_) October 29, 2016
Imagine Paul setting a back screen for Harden then casually drifting into a pick and roll with Capela instead of Tyler Ennis and Corey Brewer. It is grunt work and Paul will have to appreciate the inventiveness of these actions but, plays like this could be a headache for opposing defenses. Capela (a much better passer than he receives credit for) could easily slip the ball to Harden and then he could dish it to Paul for a mid-range jumper. Or, Harden could fly to the corner, forcing his man to help on Capela. And finally, he could simply lob it up to Capela for an easy slam.
Having either run the “Spain pick and roll” would also yield incredible results. The Rockets run this fabulous set often, usually having Eric Gordon or Ryan Anderson set the secondary screen, look for Chris Paul or James Harden to take their place.
Paul could set that secondary screen on the rolling big man’s defender, pop out to the three-point line and either crank a three or drive into the paint to open up a three for someone else. His unmatched ball handling causes the play to have another layer. The Rockets should also consider running more dribble hand offs with their two elite point guards. Teams like the Warriors and Trail Blazers run these sets often for their ball handlers and it works to perfection. C.J. McCollum had an effective field goal percentage of 57 percent off hand offs last season, while Damian Lillard had one of 50 percent.
Hand offs are simple plays that cause the defense to overreact and guard poorly. They also allow these players to slide into pick and roll’s or pick and pops depending on who is executing the hand off.
There will be times where Paul or Harden will have to stand off ball, however. Waiting around the arc whilst watching the other wizard go to work. This shouldn’t be a problem as long as it doesn’t become a consistent role for one of these two men.
Chris Paul may actually enjoy some open spot up jumpers, something he rarely got last year. Catch and shoot threes accounted for only eight percent of his offensive production but he managed to cash in 50 percent of those attempts. Expect the former number to rise exponentially while the latter may dip slightly to around a still insane 45+ percent.
Stagnation and complacency should not be an issue. Paul will only add wrinkles to plays that were already superb upon inception. The only problem that will arise is if either player feels like they aren’t controlling the offense enough. As if they are being forgotten. Another problem could occur if they are losing. Stars are happy to join up when things go swimmingly but these two guards are used to controlling an entire team. If joint custody doesn’t work, they may bicker like actual divorcees.
Injuries could also derail things. The Rockets are significantly shallower now because they have traded away a majority of their depth. Chris Paul’s rocky injury history causes concerns, especially for a player in search of a mega deal. However, players of his caliber have played decent basketball well into their 30’s, despite popular belief. John Stockton didn’t go to his first Finals until he was 34, Steve Nash averaged over 11 assists when he was 36, and Gary Payton was averaging over 20 points per game when he was 34.
Mike D’Antoni’s breezy attitude and sophisticated basketball brain should be enough to keep both engaged while also winning a ton of ball games. There is still plenty of shooting to yield open looks and now Chris Paul and James Harden will benefit from a player that can give them the rock exactly where they want it. The most important aspect that few are talking about is the fact that both players actively wanted to play together. They know each other’s ball dominant tendencies and they know they need someone to help carry the load.
Daryl Morey nabbed his next big fish and the fit should work better than most expect. I’m sure he was never actually worried in the first place.
