- Here’s our take at the mothership on the ramifications of this injury.
- I’m failing to understand how and why people are even making the Harden trade a relevant issue, as if this injury is some point for re-evaluation. Setting aside the fact that this couldn’t have been foreseen, it’s not like the Thunder with Harden and without Westbrook–had they not made the trade–would have beaten the Heat. They needed all three, or the trade return from Harden, to stand a chance.
- This becomes even more James Harden’s moment now. The Thunder, essentially, chose Westbrook over Harden. They now have neither and only Kevin Durant. It’s Harden’s opportunity to go head to head with Durant as the sole megastars on each team. If he wants to really prove his place in the elite stratosphere, Harden has to win this series now.
- The game plan obviously changes now. While you’ll see it in stints, just to mix things up, there probably won’t be incredibly long stretches of zone. Zone is typically used as an equalizer when a team faces a talent disadvantage. With the playing field more leveled, and no Westbrook to induce into bad decisions, I think you’ll see more man to man than you would have had this injury not occurred. But the Rockets must double Durant and force others to hit open jumpers. You cannot allow Kevin Durant to beat you.
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