The Thunder beat the Bucks 121-105 as Hartenstein finished with 24 points on 11-of-15 shooting and 2-of-3 free throws in 32 minutes, adding 12 rebounds and two assists for a plus23. As a traditional centre, Hartenstein can’t shoot three points, but he still shows great value in the offensive end, thanks to his accurate throwing skills.
In the game against the Bucks, Harten made nearly 100 of his small throws near the free-throw line. He can’t open the floor like Big Lopez with outside threes, but his throws from the edge of the box allow him to complete the attack efficiently and increase his threat in the field.
So far this season, Hartenstein has hit 82 of his 150 shots, a remarkable 54.7 per cent. In the statistical analysis, the throw zone is not considered an efficient offensive zone, but Hatten has become a leader in this technique, and many players have converted the original middle shot into the throw.
Harten’s throw from the edge of the box was significant for the Thunder. When the opponent plays a combination, he can use the throw to break the opponent’s defensive layout. On a pick-and-roll, if the opponent is guarding the basket, he can catch the ball in the middle and finish the drive instead of having to force the basket.
This season, Harten is averaging 11.4 points and shooting 57.8 per cent from the field, down from 64.4 per cent last season, but he’s scoring more in a variety of ways that don’t rely solely on pancake eating and second downs. As a result, Harten’s value this season has increased compared to last season, and his tactical status has become more important. With him on the court, the Thunder scored 118.4 points per 100 possessions while giving up only 105.1, a net win of 13.3.
