Is James Harden the laziest player in the NBA when he doesn't have a ball in his hand?

I have seen nobody claiming Haden is perfect I for one knows he has things he can do better physically and mentally.

Standing around at halfcourt is and has not been an issue with him.

Please tell us what he should be doing since nobody else does anything off the ball when they are not in the play.

 

REMEMBER, ALTHOUGH HARDEN AND WESTBROOK PLAYED TOGETHER BEFORE, THEY NEVER REALLY PLAYED TOGETHER! When they were in PKC, Harden came in off the bench and handled the ball, he played more with the 2nd unit.

I was at the game on Saturday and I'm a fan of Harden but Westbrook does make Harden look LAZY. I don't know if that makes sense to you but if Harden doesn't have the ball, he doesn't bring anything else to the game. He doesn't play well off the ball and this is what I was afraid of. Chris Paul had a good outside shot, so Harden and Paul could play off each other, Westbrook doesn't.

Westbrook is a HELLVA player, especially in the 4th Qtr with the ball in his hands and out of the two players, he gets the other players most involved. However, Harden is a smart player and I think he will adjust.

 

Yup. turns out we wrong after all - it took 2 games of Russ as a Rocket to make us see the error of our ways.

All of that highest usage in NBA history stuff was camouflaging the real issue.

 

First it was that Harden isn’t a good enough athlete to be a star.

Then it was that he was a gang member.

Then it was his weight.

Then it was his defense.

Then it was his sex life.

Then it was he was too good at going to the line.

Then it was that he was too lazy without the ball.

Now it’s body language.

I’m waiting for this to completely devolve into just coming out and saying: “He is a really dark black man that doesn’t know his place.”

I don’t get it... if he looked like Stockton or Curry everyone would be felating him and telling him to run for Governor.

 

He isn’t the “laziest player in the NBA when the ball isn’t in his hands.”

It has also been pointed out numerous times that in the Rockets system he is supposed to remain at the top of the key and have had it pointed out why that is the case and how it benefits the Rockets.

At least you have backed off on the “Harden conditioning” arguments you used to make.

 

He is still over weight? I hear this from you every season. You said the same last year too before he dropped 36/8. He busts his ass in the off season and he gets better every season. I just don’t see any validity to the weight or conditioning argument based on history.

Concerning the offense. The Rockets were winning the title in 2018 before the Paul injury. That was against one of the greatest teams ever.

The issues last year in the playoffs were largely defensive, as a result of lacking length from the loss of Moute and Ariza.

The Rockets have problems but it isn’t Harden’s weight and it isn’t really Harden off ball. It is primarily defense and personnel issues inside.

 

We will just have to agree to disagree.

I

 

Fchowtexx back for the 2019-20 season, with his agenda.

"If such and such did this, they would be waived!"

No player has ever had to carry the extraordinary load and usage that Harden has, (not even mentioning the historical offensive ouput that comes with it). Harden is an offensive juggernaut and has transformed the game, consistently producing GOAT level offenses for Houston. **** off already with the nit picking bullshit.

The human body simply cannot tolerate that level of usage without rest, yes even on defense, yes even on certain offensive plays. This is the reason he can play every game, every season, and never gets injured. Harden isn't a genetic freak like Lebron or Westbrook who can just run and jump forever.

Get over it.

 

I'll take "Statements that SHOULD be true but sadly aren't" for $1million Alex.

 

Excellent strategy, seeing as how the one of you not named Nook is dead wrong.

 

Are there? If you know these metrics exist, post them here or point us toward them. Otherwise, you're just hoping something is out there that will justify your questionable take.

 

The Harden hate from fans of other teams is bad enough, but to get it from within... it's horse-****.

The man is all about Houston.
He played his ass off for us for 8 straight years.
He's never missed the playoffs.
MVP.
Improved defense.
Added an unstoppable move (unless you change the rules or cheat).
Convince his friend to come here.
Helped Morey build compatible players around him.
Found a good coach for his style.
Bought a franchise sports team in town.
Donated a million to hurricane victims.
Throws a yearly party for the great people of Houston.
Supports the other teams in town.

But you hate him. I have no clue why. I'm guessing you straight up hate Houston too.

 

I'm a James Harden stan. I do wish he would do more work off the ball. I don't think it's "lazy" though. I did use to believe that, but I've come to respect Harden's work ethic way too much to boil it down to laziness. I think it's simply a choice he has made.