OAKLAND — As Houston’s James Harden crossed midcourt during the third quarter of Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the San Antonio Spurs earlier this month, he sensed an opportunity. Patty Mills, in trying to defend Harden, stepped toward Harden as he moved around a screen.
So Harden did what so many other skilled perimeter players around the NBA have trained themselves to do: He drew contact with Mills about 35 feet from the basket, whipping his head back and flinging the ball at the rim. The shot clanged off the iron and bounced harmlessly away.