The biggest, unanswered, nagging question I have about this season:

Is James Harden trying to push Dwight out of town?


Every time I watch these guys play and see the dysfunction on-court I keep asking myself if Harden is doing this. Is he trying to make things so difficult on Howard that Howard either asks to be traded or Howard simply walks to another team in the summer?

We all know Durant doesn't like Howard. It's no secret.

And we all know how good a player Harden is. Why think this way? Because I'm seeing too many plays watching games, not even up close, not on the court, but just watching games, that I know could be made by players not nearly as good as Harden. Too many easy looks to Dwight that Harden acts like he doesn't see. When I watch it my mind tells me there is absolutely no way that Harden can't see Dwight open down there at the rim. The delays. The looking off. The ignoring of Dwight. Ramming the ball down court, then holding up at the top of the key, then right as Dwight crosses half-court or takes a step into the top of the circle....then launching the shot at the optimum point where Dwight has no chance to get into rebounding position but instead has to traverse back down court to the defensive end, without touching the ball. Throwing lobs up to Capela. Running the exact same play with Dwight and throwing it to the corner, right over Dwight's left shoulder as Dwight is crouching to leap up for the dunk.

And then defensively.....Harden constantly cheats off his man, lets himself get back-doored and makes Howard look stupid at the rim because Howard has to defend Harden's man diving at the rim on top of trying to hold off the opposing big.

The only thing keeping me from making the full-blown accusation is we're talking about professionals here. Harden is a pro. It's very, very difficult for me to believe he'd intentionally do this...that he'd try to make it as difficult on Howard as possible to get Howard to want out. By the same token, it's hard for me to believe Harden, being the superstar that he is, missing so many plays to Dwight. And beyond that, it's very difficult for me to believe that Harden doesn't understand that Dwight needs to touch the basketball more often. Especially when Harden himself has said in the past that him and Dwight are the two superstars on this team and everybody else is role players. If Harden truly believes that....then why would he not make sure he gets the basketball to Howard first and foremost....above Capela and Ariza and everybody else?

it just keeps nagging at me. Is Harden intentionally making it difficult on Dwight to try to force him out of town? or Is Harden really that bad at seeing the opportunities to Dwight the ball?

 

Don't think I said anything about throwing games.


Are you saying you don't see Harden looking him off and ignoring Dwight when Dwight is in finishing position? Are you saying you don't see Harden completely ignoring his man on defense and forcing Howard to have to pick him up at the rim repeatedly?

 

Aleron, Dwight diving to the rim after setting a pick, and planting himself to launch into the air at the rim......is not a post-up. James takes those plays and throws the ball to the corner. He takes the same play with Capela and throws it up to Capela. Why?

 

I don't remember saying that.

But maybe if Howard stays we have no chance of getting Durant here?????

 

What was the imaginary beef? Are you referring to Harden allegedly jumping him about not playing back-to-backs?