"Harden Looks Slow Out There"

usually what happens when you run players into the ground

 

I didn't read that long ass ****...but ima post anyway

 

Harden playing the least amount of minutes in years..

 

I think its the past couple seasons taking a toll on him

 

I don't know how you can say that when he has been getting better every year. I think he is doing fine.

 

I agree with the differences between the two players and the type of player harden is.

That said, there are times when he does need to push the pace.

 

i dunno what you mean but in the past 5 years, 3 have been 38mpg, 2 35mpg. fg%, ft% and 3pt% are at their lowest sicne he's been a rocket. if he's getting any extra rest, its hardly extra, and more like "if u put me out there im literally gonna die" rest

 

We been spoiled Too much by Harden efficient boring way always want more. he looks like he doesn't do much and then at the end of the game, u look at the box score and he stuffed it with stats. Harden is that gud

 

If Harden was white you know he'd be hailed as a savant who manipulates the court as they dance on his puppet strings. But he's black so gotta grade him based on how high he jumps and fast he runs.

 

He doesn't in the last few minutes of a close game. You can call the play from a mile away. Dribble dribble step back three. The majority of the game he doesn't do that, he Ian baiting the defense, as you and others have said. But he certainly does dribble out the clock at the end of close games and take poor contested 3s often in those situations.

 

He'd be called sturdy and some posters here would want to trade him for Benjamin Macklemore

 

No, that's quite alright. I know what I've seen repeatedly over the last few years. It's not him waiting for the defense to slack, like he does for most of the game. It's when he is tired and is trying to purposefully kill clock that he takes these ridiculous dribble dribble dribble step back threes. I call it every single time towards the end of the game. I'm fine with the way he plays for 90% of the game.

 

Until they change the way games are officiated, i have a hard time criticizing him for using the step back to close out a game - especially in the playoffs. If you drive to win a game - there's no way in the world you aren't getting fouled. Every big in the league reads it the same way: "As long as I don't dropkick him in the chin, they won't call a foul. There's no way I'm letting this guy make a LAYUP to win." He drives, gets fouled, no call, misses the shot, and we're left wetting ourselves over the Last 2 Minutes report.

The other option is: have Harden drive knowing he's going to alley oop it to Capela. That's cool unless they foul the hell out of Capela on his way up. Then we have him on the line to to win a game 7? Maybe Trevor's man leaves him and Harden dishes it to Trevor for the 3. Dude isn't exactly on fire from the arc. I think, of all the possibilities, a Harden step back is the highest % to end a game.

I'd like to a see a real play called but if the refs aren't going to call the grabbing and holding on screens, the elbows on cuts, or the fouls on drives - it is literally a waste of time.

 

I would restate the title as "Harden looks slow out there... on defense."

...because he literally is. He has the slowest 'avg speed def' in the NBA of players who played more than 8 games.

 

Of all the legitimate criticisms I can think of with regard to James, this is the one that I'm least fond of. The dude plays slows because he is physically slow. At times when Harden is really trying to push the pace, he usually fumbles the ball or makes premature, risky passes that result in turnovers. It's just one of those limitations that Harden possesses as an athlete; nothing can be done about it.

 

When he really tries to push it, full speed, after a steal, the other players are just kind of trotting along beside him at a brisk jog. lol.

 

Line those b****es up including you?

You might dominate

 

I have no issue with him taking step back 3s. The issue isn't the shot. It's how he sets up the shot in these situations. He doesn't fool anyone, as I said, I call it every time down the stretch. He dribbles in place for 3-4 seconds after holding the ball at the top of the key, then takes a very contested shot. He can move around more than that, burn almost as much time, and get more separation on his step back. He actually isn't taking many step backs at all this year, especially inside the arc.

Also, there are so many other possibilities with Harden than an alley to Capela (who isn't closing many games anyways) or Ariza for 3. Harden is capable of creating any shot he wants. It seems to me he is tired in these situations. I disagree that it's a waste of time or useless to attempt anything else because the refs probably won't call a foul. Harden is fully capable of scoring through contact and doesn't need foul calls to score.