It’s the question that’s on everyone’s mind on Friday, after the smoke cleared from the explosive trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Houston Rockets for Chris Paul and a bunch of draft picks.
Just how do you make Westbrook and James Harden fit together when they’re both usage machines who thrive best with the ball in their respective hands? No more jokes, this is serious! The Rockets have to compete with everybody else in the West and if this doesn’t work, it’s going to be a disaster.
I have some ideas that might help, but I’m hardly Mike D’Antoni (good luck, coach!):
1. Take Harden off the ball much more often
This is the obvious solution: Westbrook becomes a primary ball-handler and Harden waits at the three-point line for his former Thunder teammate to drive and kick out. That won’t be EVERY possession — after all, Harden is so good as the No. 1 because he can do everything, from hitting threes, driving to the hoop and drawing fouls everywhere.
But Westbrook has become a liability as a shooter:
Yuck. So if Harden drives, maybe an opposing defender tasked with Westbrook will be more inclined to help and leave the guard open. Not a great solution.
This plan also makes sure Harden is more fresh for a postseason run.
2. Ratchet up the pace
Per NBA.com, the Rockets were 27th in pace last season since their plan nearly every possession involved getting the ball to Harden and waiting for him to work his magic. The Thunder were sixth. So what if D’Antoni got the Rockets to run more?
Again, they don’t have to be D’Antoni’s Seven Seconds or Less Suns. But somewhere in between might benefit both players.
3. Draw up some Harden-to-Westbrook plays
Like this one!
4. Separate them
This feels like a mid- to late-season move, but I bet it happens at some point. What if Westbrook starts with Harden, Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker and Clint Capela, but then becomes the No. 1 guy in the second unit for stretches? How scary is that?
