Harden's shooting performance when Roberson plays 25+ minutes : 10 games total Average : 38.5 FG% / 23.9 3PT% (9.8 APG / 5.4 TOV) 2 games with 50+ FG% 2 games with 40 ~ 50 FG% 4 games with 30 ~ 40 FG% 2 games with 20 ~ 30 FG% 1 game with 40+ 3PT% 1 game with 30 ~ 40 3PT% 5 games with 20 ~ 30 3PT% 2 games with 10 ~ 20 3PT% 1 game with 0 ~ 10 3PT% So basically Harden's shooting percentage plunges when guarded by Roberson, APG also goes down while turnovers increase. Harden's PPG doesn't look as abysmal because at least he gets to the line a lot. Of course this is a fools gold because refs tend to swallow the whistle at the end of the games, which means Harden is guaranteed to disappear when it matters the most (unless it's a blowout.) Pretty much the same story with regard to Paul George vs Harden. Safe to say, Harden will not be looking towards the playoffs series against OKC
SPLASH: Paul George and Andre Roberson are good at defense. You've uncovered something big, OP. Better go to the media with this revelation.
I think we know OKC has the two best harden defenders. They still got an erratic ninja turtle that can sabotage that all. The only team I can look you in the eye and say we have a very low chance of beating is Golden State. SIL
Well you have to keep in mind that with a full lineup and especially this years healthy lineup it will make a difference. When he is short handed Roberson can focus in on him more..
Sooooo @Harden's beard gets his thread starting ability taken away then this dude starts making threads...coincidence I think not
With regard to that last shot in the last game, Harden just went chicken little against Roberson. He had no faith in himself that he could drain a shot in Roberson's face, so instead tried to draw a cheap foul as he always does, and refs just ignored him as they always do at the end of the games. The big issue with Harden is that he's offensively more limited than many people realize. Harden has very poor off ball movement (unlike Curry) and at the same time doesn't have the physical tools to just shoot over people (unlike LeBron, Durant, etc.). Also, Harden has virtually no midrange and post-up game. So all he can do is try to create space through herky jerky moves such as stepbacks (which doesn't work nearly as well against lengthy, athletic defenders), or draw fouls. Sure he can drop 50 when there's not much resistance, but against elite defenders Harden's effectiveness diminishes far more than any other superstars in this league, because his game is that much narrower in scope and relies on few tricks to score a lot of points.
So..... we agre When the Refs allow hacking, handchecking, let Robertson get over physical basically give him every advantage........ then Harden is human got ya Rocket River
this is exactly why we got Chris Paul. just like jonathan simmons, harden struggles against long-armed elite defenders.
El oh el why are you guys such homers. Roberson does a better job on beard than any defender in the league and it's mainly because of his size. Most defenders with size can't keep up with him and most that are quick enough to guard him are too small. It has nothing to do with refs, or who's on our team, he's ALWAYS given harden hell. Doesn't mean james isn't an incredible player, it's a fact
True. In some sense CP3 is even more important to this team than Harden precisely because his performance is less impacted by who is guarding him.
What's interesting is that yesterday was the best Harden has played against the Thunder in the regular season like two years, IIRC. 29 points on like 60+% TS% and 14 assists. He wasn't the reason we lost yesterday.
Paul definately has better handles, and is able to play-make even against elite perimeter defenses, better than harden, i believe. Harden tends to get himself trapped a lot, and he doesn't have the handles to get himself out. I would definately rather have the ball in Chris Paul's hands, and have james play off the ball in these situations. That said, they both are equally important, and able to do things the other can not.