Exum's defence on Harden

[Deleted member 848]

The writer is honestly correct-- this is the most perfect defence I've ever seen on Harden-- and this was in the middle of his torrid streak in the 2nd quarter.

Dante has been a total dunce on offence, but his ability to defend in isolation and on switches just makes it *really* hard for us to bench him, especially with Rubio out.

 

[Mongoose]

It seems to me like the commentators said something about Exums defense and footwork during the broadcast as well.

 

[MVP]

Dante has been a total dunce on offence, but his ability to defend in isolation and on switches just makes it *really* hard for us to bench him, especially with Rubio out.

But did we lose because of the offense or defense? I doubt we can beat Houston by limiting them below 90 pts... had we made our free throws, open 3's and tons of layups we would have had close game. I am all for giving Exum a chance to prove himself but with him we are playing 4 on 5 on offense and that vs Houston just won't cut it.

 

[Deleted member 848]

But did we lose because of the offense or defense? I doubt we can beat Houston by limiting them below 90 pts... had we made our free throws, open 3's and tons of layups we would have had close game. I am all for giving Exum a chance to prove himself but with him we are playing 4 on 5 on offense and that vs Houston just won't cut it.

It's a good question, but Harden played a role in like 70 of the first 86 points or something-- it was a stat mentioned on the broadcast. We got rolled in the first half because our defence couldn't get stops and convert those into fast-break offence. Quin always talks about this-- a lot of the Jazz offence predicates on getting stops and pushing it on the break. When they keep scoring, it means we always have to operate in the half-court-- a tall order when Rubio is out

 

[Ellipse]

But did we lose because of the offense or defense? I doubt we can beat Houston by limiting them below 90 pts... had we made our free throws, open 3's and tons of layups we would have had close game. I am all for giving Exum a chance to prove himself but with him we are playing 4 on 5 on offense and that vs Houston just won't cut it.

LOL To paraphrase: "We can't beat Houston by keeping them from scoring, we need to outshoot them!"

 

[candrew]

Nobody in the NBA can guard Harden one-on-one. Exum's advantage yesterday was probably Harden had no clue who the hell he is.

At most he'll need a couple more match-ups with Exum to figure him out and he'll be punking him like he does the rest of the league.

Either that or the refs will bail him out.

 

[Deleted member 848]

Nobody in the NBA can guard Harden one-on-one. Exum's advantage yesterday was probably Harden had no clue who the hell he is.

At most he'll need a couple more match-ups with Exum to figure him out and he'll be punking him like he does the rest of the league.

Either that or the refs will bail him out.

Exum's advantage is he's tall while still possessing lateral quickness and a stable enough centre of gravity-- Harden is tall for a ball-dominant guard and Exum has the length to make things tough on him.

 

[LoPo]

But did we lose because of the offense or defense? I doubt we can beat Houston by limiting them below 90 pts... had we made our free throws, open 3's and tons of layups we would have had close game. I am all for giving Exum a chance to prove himself but with him we are playing 4 on 5 on offense and that vs Houston just won't cut it.

That's pretty ridiculous. Plenty of teams do well playing 3 or 4 offensive guys and a 5th guy who is very limited offensively. If Exum can give us 20 minutes and 3 or 4 physical fouls on Harden, he is an asset to us this series. On offense, just plant him in the corner.

 

[SoUjazzfan]

In the second half when we were able to push the ball after missed shots was when we looked the best. As dal said above we need stops and get out in transition to put pressure on them. Even if it isn't a fast break it allows us to move the ball and get them scrambling on D so we have more open looks. Then we really need to hit more of those open looks. If we can't hit free throws at a better clip however, it may be a moot point.

 

[MVP]

That's pretty ridiculous. Plenty of teams do well playing 3 or 4 offensive guys and a 5th guy who is very limited offensively. If Exum can give us 20 minutes and 3 or 4 physical fouls on Harden, he is an asset to us this series. On offense, just plant him in the corner.

I agree that planting him in the corner hurts the least. Problem is when he is primary ball handler in half court sets. He just play sucks at initiating and running them.

 

[MVP]

LOL To paraphrase: "We can't beat Houston by keeping them from scoring, we need to outshoot them!"

I am ok with Houston scoring 110 pts. I am not ok with us scoring 96. Makes sense?

 

[Getting Traded]

If we are going to use Dante by planting him in the corner, then we need to let him go next year. He does have potential as a PG but this needs to be developed. Planting him in the corner is a waste of that potential, and if that is necessary now, then leave him on the bench.

 

[JazzForLifee]

good d by dante! hope we can sign him with cheap contract.

 

[Magic Spray]

good d by dante! hope we can sign him with cheap contract.

Portland will sign him to some **** *** offer sheet based on that possession alone.

 

[fishonjazz]

Exum's advantage is he's tall while still possessing lateral quickness and a stable enough centre of gravity-- Harden is tall for a ball-dominant guard and Exum has the length to make things tough on him.

I disagree about his center of gravity. Dude gets moved/pushed around easily and often goes flying away from the ball handler or ends up on the ground.

 

[Hotdog]

The writer is honestly correct-- this is the most perfect defence I've ever seen on Harden-- and this was in the middle of his torrid streak in the 2nd quarter.

Dante has been a total dunce on offence, but his ability to defend in isolation and on switches just makes it *really* hard for us to bench him, especially with Rubio out.

I pointed this out in the game thread during the game. That was excellent defense on Harden. Id say give it a try. Leave him out there on him a while.

 

[idestroyedthetoilet]

In the second half when we were able to push the ball after missed shots was when we looked the best. As dal said above we need stops and get out in transition to put pressure on them. Even if it isn't a fast break it allows us to move the ball and get them scrambling on D so we have more open looks. Then we really need to hit more of those open looks. If we can't hit free throws at a better clip however, it may be a moot point.

A lot of the 3's they hit were well contested, tough shots. 53% from 3. A lot of the 3's Utah missed were open and great looks. 32%.

Harden is only an ok 3 shooter. Revert him and his team to their averages and you're talking a 12-15 point swing.

Also need to find a way to stop the switch onto Gobert and get Ingles more 3's and Donovan fewer.

 

[The Jazz Wonderbra]

Limit Harden to 2 point jump shots off the dribble and we have a chance. That means Gobert has to be effective defending Harden AND the dump off to Capela. Tough.

Dante did his part here. Beautiful defense.

We also need to limit the amount of times that Gobert gets switched out. I think you have to allow Capela to shoot jump shots on that pick and roll defense and not switch. Whoever is defending Paul needs to get around the screen and get a bit of help. We just had a full dose of this with Adam's moving screens at the top of the key and Westbrook shooting jumpers from the free throw line. VERY hard to defend with the amount of shooters surrounding Paul and Harden as terciary options.

 

[NUMBERICA]

The Jazz don't have a chance if Harden is even close to as productive AND efficient as he was yesterday.

Let's see how the matchup goes next time. I mean, if there is one.

 

[gregbroncs]

But did we lose because of the offense or defense? I doubt we can beat Houston by limiting them below 90 pts... had we made our free throws, open 3's and tons of layups we would have had close game. I am all for giving Exum a chance to prove himself but with him we are playing 4 on 5 on offense and that vs Houston just won't cut it.

If the Jazz can't slow Harden down from his game 1 performance the Jazz could play offense to the best of their ability and they'll still lose. Slowing down Harden and Paul is the key to this series going forward.