Are Hardens legs dead? Have we run our superstar into the ground due to heavy minutes over the years

yes, it's actually a good thing in the long run, but what's concerning is whether his slow-paced game is becoming too predictable for the defenders leading to a lot of turnovers... Harden is a crafty player, but he can't outsmart his opponent every single time, whereas if you could just simply blow by them, the job would become much easier

 

yea were gonna have to tone his minutes down for that but he just can't rest like lebron because he doesn't have the luxury like lebron with two stars

 

If you look at how Harden looked when he first came from OKC to how he looks now, it's not denying that he has put on some pounds. I've been noticing this since 2013-2014.

Of course, a good amount of it is increased muscle but he is nearing the part in his career where I think he needs to think about trimming down a bit. There is no way his body will continue to play the minutes he does, the number of games and at the level of play expected of him by carrying probably 10-15 pounds more than he needs.

His game was never based on athleticism like a WB or Rose, but even he could get up and finish over people if need be. Haven't seen that type of explosiveness from him since 2014.

When was the last time we saw those nasty tomahawks dunks that were his go-to in 2012-2013? He'll do it maybe twice a season and it's nowhere near the explosion if once was.

For his struggles, I'm not too concerned. To me, he isn't looking for his shots at all in the first half if he starts cold. I don't like his approach in those situations. The team needs him to have a balance between him setting up guys and looking for his own shot. Right now, it's too much of him setting up guys and it's becoming too predictable for defenses. He needs to find that balance!

 

Sheesh, it's like you don't watch the games. It's already been pointed out Harden get his teammates going in the first quarter. If he was chucking every time down the court y'all would b**** too

 

You're kidding right?

 

Some horrible player assessments in this thread.

 

Agreed...folks must be bored....dude is almost getting a triple double every other night..sometimes back to back...jeez

 

Wait, so it's now known that he's fat now or what?

I think his shooting may be off due to him focusing more on creating offense for others rather then looking for his own shot. His offense seems to come second to making a good pass most of the time, which can take him out of his shooing rythem, as well as lead him to taking poor late shot clock iso shots after other player fail to find a shot.

 

The only thing I do agree is that there is no need to play Harden 41 minutes in games like that.
Ye I know he was after that tripledouble but he needs someone strong to tell him to forget about those stats.
It just gonna hurt everyone in the long run

 

I don't think he is tired or run into the ground. Most games he just seems t one looking to get his teammates going first. That's what a PG is supposed to do. He is still running the offense, rebounding and assisting. I don't know what some of you guys are watching, he just seems to be in a bit of a shooting slump. Not the first one of his career and won't be the last one of his career. It's not like he is out there chucking up 25+ shots at horrible efficiency. Even when he's not shooting the ball well, he usually still manages to be efficient from the field. That's how good of an offensive player he is.

@Nivos , I really don't think he was playing 41 minutes to get a triple double. They did need him to play. He was subbed in at the 8 minute mark (I think), a good 2-3 minutes earlier than usual, because the Kings were gaining momentum. Yeah, the Rockets never lost the lead and just looking at the box score you'd think it was smooth sailing all the way, but for a few minutes there to begin the 4th the Kings looked very much in control and ready to make this a close one.

 

ITT clutchfan forum posters critique an incredibly successful professional athletes physique and diet as he singlehandedly carries the team they root for to a top 5 seed in the west. Jesus I remember the days when Lin fans were bad, but somehow some of the actual Rockets fans actually somehow manage to be more annoying by nitpicking every single thing the best Rocket since Olajuwon does. In no way is Harden fat and his physical shape is not significantly worse than any other year here.

 

I don't think ppl realize how excruciating it is to get into basketball shape, nevertheless pro-basketball shape, or better yet, MDA pro basketball shape. His system is RUN RUN RUN. More than half these guys have never ran a system like MDA's that consist of a lot of movement and running. Remember how long it took the Suns when MDA took over to become a top tier offensive, fast paced, basketball team? It wasn't 20 games into the season I can tell you that. It took until about AS break that they finally started gaining momentum and getting into MDA basketball shape. Not to mention the D on this team this year is incredibly better than last because the effort is their on both ends. Players diving to the ground, rebounding, and moving their feet takes a kind of energy. The Suns back in the days played ZERO D which allowed them to run all day, this team is different, they RUN and play D so I expect collapses and dry spells throughout the game until they get fully accustomed to the pace and efficiency MDA wants

 

We were up 20 with him controlling the ball. It means he was reading the defense perfectly seeing players open while racking up rebounds and assists himself. I'm seeing a very interesting other development which is him possibly feeling like he doesn't want the ball all the time, which would really go back to what we were hoping to see: will Harden figure out how to give up the ball and still be a deadly weapon? That would be an ironic but awesome turn of events.

I do think he's tired but anyone who plays sports regularly will tell you there is a wall you hit if you've been working out all summer and then start off going HAM to start a season. We've also been on the road a lot. It makes sense. He was playing out of his mind to start the season, he had to cool down.

The good news is we somehow were up 20 with Harden 2 of 10 from the floor. That is really really impressive.

 

one thing about harden though adding pounds is he had more strength than other guards and can take it to the hole with eez

 

has not had

 

It's a combination of things: laziness, getting more muscular and fat, his game, his role under McHale, how easy it comes to him now, how he approaches the game now. Everything has changed since his early Rockets and OKC days, so that guy is not coming back. He can be quick, but is already too exhausted and we're not even running MDA's offense. Complain about his role, minutes or having the ball in his hands too much all you wants, Harden wouldn't have it any other way. He wants the stats.

 

15 games in and a fan wants to complain about Harden's minutes. Every freaking year it's the same old boring song. Smh

Man sit back and enjoy the game. Harden is balling his damn butt off. So stop with these freaking complaints already.

 

We are in the regular season. Im ok if Harden proctect himself.
I want Harden for longtime.

 

Harden conserves energy on defense, but perhaps he could use less minutes. Post Capela more, and let Bev advance the ball more.

 

He does play the second highest mpg.