Half of those screenshots show Harden attacking the post player, deliberately leaving his man to do so. Watch the Memphis game again, there's a reason Marc Gasol and ZBo were ineffective. Harden rushed them as soon as they got the ball, and attacked the ball in their hands. If Tony Allen was going to beat us from the 3 point line (career .260) then we were gonna lose - but great defensive strategy, don't let the bigs get a look.
Agree dr. The guys harden left alone in the 3 pt line were probably the guys we wanted to shoot the 3 While steph he had to aggressively close out
Leaving aside the subjective part of the argument, as many have already covered. But if you just look at the stats, using one that the author himself championed just last year, ESPN's RPM. Harden's DRPM is 5th among SGs, 9th among all wing players. 12th among all perimeter players. Harden's ORPM is 5th best in the NBA. So let's say he's the 12th best perimeter defender in the NBA. And the 5th best offensive player in the NBA. How the **** is that not "two way" player? If that doesn't fit the definition, then the only players in history that would work are the likes of Hakeem, LeBron, KG, etc. You may as well say only generational superstars can be called 2-way players.
The Rockets and James Harden are doing something tremendously right to have the record that they have. Frankly, the media are not experts and know even less about the Rockets that we Clutchfans die-hards know. Why are people so interested in their opinions? They're obviously going to be much less informed than our own. Take DrNuegebauer's post just above mine - that's something Rockets fans recognize is different for this particular game since we pay attention to a ton more Rockets games than the lay person or general media members. Forget wanting media attention - we're lucky to have Clutchfans which has the most up to date news and analysis of Rockets play. Even Zach Lowe can't watch 82 x 30 teams worth of games. But Clutchfans do watch 82 Rockets games and can clearly see a gigantic step forward in James Harden's defense. He's ball-hawking on his own man, playing passing lanes, double-teaming help in the post and perimeter, and getting a ridiculous number of blocks just as a step forward from last season. There should be no doubt in Clutchfans' minds that this dude is a 2-way player and undeniably an MVP front runner this season!
Because writers are supposed to research before they write articles. They have a platform to influence many people. Journalists used to be very serious about being accurate and factual. Now, many of these guys just write whatever crap they feel like without putting the time in to make sure they are being accurate.
Harden needs to just keep working. A full year averaging 6 reb/g, 2 steals/g and 1 blk/g, 35+ mpg, and his team in top 5 in defense, it will be hard for anyone to seriously say he is a minus defender. It took a little while for LeBron and Wade to gain a reputation as good defenders too. Just keep working.
he's right. If Kawhi Leonard, Paul George is the standard for a two way player than Harden doesn't belong in that group. Not saying he cant play good, or isn't trying harder. He's certainly not as consistent as the others mentioned.
Yeah, let's all just throw out words of arbitrary definition to prove a point two way players, body language, what else, he shows he has no heart, he doesn't make his team mates better on defense, he gives off a bad vibe, he smiles too much, he doesn't have clutch genes.
He is right if Kawhi or Paul passes the same tests. What he is doing is showing you samples of the mistakes and making a conclusion while ignoring the fact that the players he referenced also makes the same mistakes.
On the flip side, you can say Leonard and George aren't two-way players because their offense isn't good enough. I can make a lot of gifs that shows George taking bad, mid-range shots, missing open teammates, not taking the ball to the basket and write an article that says, "Is Paul George's offense worthy of being called a 2-way player?"
LOL @ the pics Harden stays closer to the basket because he's trying to get a rebound, as soon as the ball goes to his man, he closes him out right away. Who ever wrote this, needs to pay attention.
Bill Simmons on BS Report gave Harden some praise. Saying he is the only reason the Rockets are 2nd in the western conference and the clear MVP 20 games into the season.
Clurtchfans, do you guys have any problem at all with grilling Harden's defense like he was playing last year? I think the people who actually watch the rockets would be very very impressed if they compared last year's tape with this years.
Paul George is an interesting case, because he's basically living proof that you can't be the teams primary wing defender and its primary scoring option. The guys shot basically falls into a ravine as the season goes on.
Harden is usually always on the opponents weakest perimeter threat, so of course he's the designated helper
