James Harden's cumulative stats through 4 USA exhibitions

Of the 6 players averaging over 20 minutes so far, Harden has the fewest shots and the most assists.

 

U wanna jinx his health?

 

2k15 is going to be forced to give Harden another signature skill this year. Either Alley-Oop Specialist or Dimer. Either way, everyone is getting the love end of that perfectly timed, 2-defender-whispering, soft lob he does.

Manimal, Eyebrows, D Rose...everyone. Of course the media talks about Manimal beasting in the Turkey game but they don't mention how his dunks were nearly all assisted in beautiful fashion a la The Beard.

Steals, alley-oops, assists, hockey assists, minimal personal shot taking...that's what I saw this last game.

So the narrative is "Harden is a me first player, Selfish, and doesnt play D." Then when he plays crowding on-ball perimeter D, gets steals, and leads in assists, they say "Oh he isn't the team's leading scorer, some leader he is" Guy just can't win with the media. That's cool though. For me he just needs to win with the scoreboard.

 

What are his cumulative stats now?

 

It would seem like he's playing a lot better if he wasn't 3 of 16 for 18% from 3.

He hasn't been able to hit anything.

 

He's the only guard that understands how to play the game the right way. That's very impressive seeing as he's the same age as a lot if these players. His understanding of the game at least offensively IMO is only rivaled by lebron. He really plays the game right and seems to understand that getting a big man a ally oop dunk is more efficient and better for the team than hard lay up.

I really believe him when he says he'd rather avg 18 and 10 assist than 28 points. This guy is a winner every we're he goes from high school to the pros. I think a lot of ppl forget this point. James harden is a winner. He'll ring it this season in the playoffs. 3rd season on rockets it's the breakout season especially factoring in his age.

 

Averages through the first 3 games.

12 PTS 1.7 REB 4.7 AST 3.0 STL 2.3 TO

22.0 MIN 5.7 FGA

Shooting % - 58.8/33.3/82.4

 

I know you love the man but don't be so dramatic lol .he hasn't won anything by NBA standards but he is a winner in your heart.

 

You are scum.

 

Dudes been to the post season every yr of his young career. Steven a smith has gone on air many times alluding to this. I'm realistic, there's not anyone playing as effective in the nba as harden on offense but lebron, KD and cp3. Period.

You don't have to like him but numbers don't lie look them up instead of spouting off at the mouth and showing how dumb you are.

How many player have a win share over 20? The answer is 3 and that's lebron, KD and harden.

Who's the only 3 players to be top 5 in win shares the past 2 season? Oh man it's lebron KD and harden again. Yes the man is a winner.

 

Agreed man. And I'm gonna bat the good vibes back to you cause the numbers don't lie. So we're not just homers spouting off in an echo chamber here. Allllllllll the hype and commotion of Rose & Irving. So many on the national scale can't concede how good Harden is. Already a gifted PnR guy, his 1 year with Howard has made him even more elite. Remember the beginning of last year when pretty much no one could lob it to an athletic big like Howard correctly, even James? And by mid-season Harden's connections with Howard were dang near telepathic, with just the sweetest touch. Killing them softly.

Now on Team USA from practices into game 4 we see the chatter is true: Harden found an obsession and his pride in defense. Pride you see in him getting extra jumpy to stay in front of a guy trying to drive past him. Seeing the game so slow like most don't with passing lane steals and strips. Actually staying with a moving defender and fighting through picks. Stuff we never saw or at least never saw consistently. #7 In FIBA D-Rating, #3 for wing defenders, #1 for starting wing defenders (20+ minutes). #2 Defensive Win Shares.

If a guy that incredibly gifted and dynamic on the offensive side, who has beaucoup playoff experience, and who just turned 25 like a week ago can come back next season as an above average, plus defender....man y'all. Bev, neu-harDen, Ariza might wreak havoc on teams, especially with an eraser like Howard in your frontcourt.

 

Harden has been fantastic in FIBA.

 

I'm not a Harden apologist but I've seen all the games(the only perk to being jobless at the moment) and aside from some poor shooting touch from outside and a couple of brain cramp turnovers(some were clear timing issues with his teammates), he has played really well. It's true that he is part of the reason the US bigs are getting such efficient, gaudy stat lines and he still excels at drawing a lot of fouls. He's also set up a few easy plays for the other guards/wings with his passing touch. Dare I say he has a little Magic Johnson-esque vision on display. Defensive effort has been noticeable and although he has lost his man occasionally, he seems to be much more vigilant than in the past. I'm encouraged by his play. On a team of great players he seems to be the best playmaker by a mile.

Side note - I know ESPN is ready to hand Davis POY, but he really has looked every bit like an unstoppable player and soon to be superstar. Even when the defense plays him perfectly, he is just too long for it to matter.

 

Every time Harden is on the floor, USA seems to run a little smoother. Every time there is a big play or a momentum shift, Harden seems to be a part of it with either creating the steal, making the right pass or getting a basket.

Everyone wants to rave about Faried and Davis, rightfully so as they have both been amazing, but the one setting them up most of the time is Harden when they aren't getting offensive rebounds.

I don't understand the hype of Irving and Curry. They are exciting but they don't play the game smart. Too much one on one and their defense has been borderline atrocious. USA needs to pound the ball in the post and Harden seems to be the only guard willing to do so.

Harden, while statistically quiet, has had an amazing FIBA. He is showing the world he can be more than just the scorer everyone thinks he is. The commentators seem to have noticed as well as they are starting to say that while he is a gifted scorer, he is just as talented with passing and play making for himself or others.

People forget that he finished 5th in MVP voting (even with the media's love to announce his defensive problems) and had a PER head and shoulders (35.0) above anyone else in clutch situations last season. He has become underrated. I can't wait to see him break out and silent the hate.

 

There seems to be an inverse relationship between Harden's shooting and his defense. When shooting % goes up, defense goes down. When defense goes up, shooting % goes down.

 

His scoring is down because he's sharing the ball more but the most important thing is he looks to be in great shape and like he's taking his leadership role very seriously. I think his time with coach k will pay dividends in the regular season

 

Thanks for this recap. Good stuff.

 

Minus his three ball not falling. I think today was Harden's best game.

As of this post. 17 points on 7/12 shooting (0-3 on 3 though ), 5 assists and leads the team in +/-

 

Maybe he doesn't like that orange and white ball.

 

I think that ball is really effecting his long ball, but he is a little streaky from deep. he might go on a tear and hit 60% on 3s for the next 4 games he does that kinda thing a lot.

With him being the strongest guard out of the group it's possible that the lighter ball is really throwing him off.