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What makes Harden's penetration so different that's getting him the calls?

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by meh, Dec 25, 2012.

  1. meh

    meh Contributing Member

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    I know the refs are very biased these days towards perimeter players drawing contact for the foul, but Harden gets it a lot more than even what you'd expect from someone with a superstar glow. Kevin Durant is probably the only comparable player it seems. Not saying Harden gets phantom calls, but it does seem with other players, even marketable stars, many of these "light" fouls go uncalled.
     
  2. dacman

    dacman Member

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    Harden keeps the ball up high and its easy to see when his arms are whacked.
     
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  3. Supermaruchi

    Supermaruchi Member

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    What he said.
     
  4. theaesirsfinest

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    1) Harden's euro-step is really difficult to defend properly since you need to have great positioning and lateral quickness.

    2) Harden will sweep his arms up if you're reaching.

    3) Harden doesn't shy away from contact and seeks it.
     
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  5. clos4life

    clos4life Member

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    It's the way he comes slow and brings up his arms in an exaggerated manner, giving plenty of time for the refs to see his arm get slapped and watch the ball fly out of his hands. It's one of those fouls that the refs automatically call if they see it and he has mastered the art of making the move be slow and exaggerated so they have plenty of time to see it coming, anticipate the call and then make it.
     
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  6. SuperVon

    SuperVon Contributing Member

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    Harden initiates contact whilst the d is still moving.
     
  7. sugrlndkid

    sugrlndkid Member

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    He puts the onus on the refs to call blatant fouls...and his ability to keep the ball up in traffic helps him do that...

    hopefully younger players learn this really efficient ability.
     
  8. nono

    nono Member

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    It's a mystery really. For those who play basketball, is the euro step really that hard of a move to learn ? I am surprised more players in the league can't do what Harden does. He reminds me a lot of Messi. Both players are not the best athletes in their sport but are just so gifted with the ball that they more than make up for it.
     
  9. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Contributing Member

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    His footwork us so good that he gets a step on his opponents.

    At that point it's hard to stop him without fouling.
     
  10. conquistador#11

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    He is so crafty with his footwork and balance(minus that ice skating gif)that he can tangle his arms on the defender.

    imagine if the commissar calls a special conference this upcoming off season to change the rules because of harden, yet still allow the divas to do the same thing. that would suck.
     
  11. sugrlndkid

    sugrlndkid Member

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    Also...he attacks the rim before the defense sets...ie tonight...on a play i saw, Harden was on the post in transition...and just quickly turned inwards..drove left towards the basket and got hacked...he just has really high bball IQ
     
  12. meh

    meh Contributing Member

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    But many times, especially on replays, you see that he's not getting whacked, and he's initiating contact. From normal TV angle and on regular speed, it does always seem he's getting whacked somehow. But then you slow it down and it's a lot less clear.
     
  13. Carl Herrera

    Carl Herrera Contributing Member

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    Yes, it's that hard. There is a video with teammates trying to do it. Daequan Cook's attempt made it look like he has special needs.
     
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  14. Rox>Mavs

    Rox>Mavs Contributing Member

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    I noticed this too....what I can't understand though is as he's keeping the ball way out in front and over with his arms at full extension, how is it that opponents don't strip the ball more? Conventionally players try to protect the ball with their body as long as they can before exposing it for a potential block or strip.
     
  15. conquistador#11

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    I think the beard makes him look like he is in a 1960s highlight reel. But did you see that block he had to night? where he blocked it with his armpits? surprised we have no video footage of it.
     
  16. meh

    meh Contributing Member

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    It really sucks that we only get one TV angle. Because a lot of this stuff mentioned, it's hard to tell from the side-view.
     
  17. kaitanuva

    kaitanuva Member

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    He does loses the ball sometimes because of this. There was a sequence I think in the 3rd quarter where he got past his man and went into the middle and tried to draw a foul but ended up getting stripped resulting in a TO.
     
  18. trowa2

    trowa2 Member

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    remember manu? euro step at the highest level
     
  19. nono

    nono Member

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    Haha that was a great block and one of Harden's best defensive plays of the year. Completely unexpected too because he doesn't really do that often.
     
  20. SuperVon

    SuperVon Contributing Member

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    If you watch Harden closely he approaches the basket in two ways.

    He either pushes the ball low and outwards with two hands, evading contact until his final step. This is where he gets most of his and 1 calls and is usually done in pnr or iso situations.
    Or
    He straight up charges the defender before they have any chance to set up. He most often catches them backpeddling, resulting in a blocking foul. This mostly occurs in transition, he also likes the Euro step in this situation.

    The whole raking of the arms upwards is an illegal move, but i guess that's subjected to how looks from where the refs are. I mean, if the defender slaps his arms, thats's obviously a foul.
     
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