Draymond Green was the runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year this season, and as one of the league's more versatile stoppers he completely understands what the Golden State Warriors must do in order to advance to the NBA Finals: keep James Harden off the free-throw line.
Here's the Houston Chronicle's Brian T. Smith with more of what Green had to say:
“It’s a lot easier to strategize and keep it in the back of your mind (in the playoffs). You know once he drives, he’s looking for a foul. That’s something we have to make sure we’re ready for and we’ll have to keep him off the line as much as possible. It is a huge part of his game. And he’ll beat you from the free-throw line and he don’t miss free throws. So we’ve just got to do the best we can to stand vertical and keep our hands up.”
Every basketball team knows this is what they should do yet Harden still led the entire NBA in free-throw attempts during the regular season. It's so much easier said than done, and the Warriors have their work cut out for them.
(h/t: Houston Chronicle)
Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox/USA TODAY Sports
