I mentioned this the very first year we got Harden, but he’s built more like a football player than a basketball player. I'm much the same way in that I can handle heavy loads all day with ease and I can give spurts of explosion with rest in between. I've always noticed this about Harden because defensively he can play well against post defenders where it is more about strength endurance vs having to give constant effort out on the perimeter or in space. Same thing on offense. Harden is not going to be in constant motion on offense with or without the ball. Without the ball you may see him do a cut every blue moon. He's not running off screens and trying to get open. Even with the ball in his hands he's not like a Westbrook type player who's just going to go...He's much more methodical and measuring of when he can exert that burst to either drive past the defender or take his step back. His energy expenditure is just more geared towards bursts of energy and not sustained high energy levels IMO.
Everyone already knows it's a marathon! A really really really tight ass marathon. And we all remember how crazy the seedings fluctuated with everyone's last game of the season last year. This is why simple stuff like effort, and getting back on D is frustrating to watch. Good habits now, right now, help us in April.
If being out of shape coming in and out of training camp doesn't tick you off, we simply have vastly different values and perspectives on how a basketball organization should operate. I wonder if Magic, Larry or Michael were ever out of playing shape to this degree, because that's the standard I hold James Harden to.
They are in shape and it doesn't tick me off. You can't be in game shape without playing the games. Your expectations are through the roof as MJ would say. Again, get off the high horse. You're acting like a real Joffrey.
Well, he didn't actually say that. I do get tired of the "marathon not sprint" platitude in sports, but he didn't tell fans to "chill." That would have pissed me off, and I could totally believe him saying that. But he just went with a platitude. Flaccid. Like his play.
Spot on man, don't forget now we get to see him throw up CC signs. He just looks so lost out there, it is really pathetic what he is getting paid, when he doesn't even know what to do with the ball when he is inches away from the DAMN RIM!
I'm built the same way as well. Harden is built for power and durability with occasional bursts of speed. That same body type is what allows him to get back up after hard hits unlike lighter players.
So that’s you in the avatar? Why are you guys describing your physique as if it’s relevant to this discussion?
I don't disagree with what you are saying in the least …. but when he's on the perimeter , he's got to give a little more effort - move his feet , especially now that Westbrook is here in place of CP3 (and I was in favor of that swap) as its harder to hide Harden defensively than with prior lineups - Particularly when they had Ariza , Luc , CP3 , Tucker all capable of locking down the opposition Ideally you'd have an Ariza type defender at the 3 and or 4 to pair with Harden so you can hide him in the post. Thing is , there aren't that many guys like Ariza that can defend 1-4 at such a high level.
Still get Over payed. Until Tilman trades him. Then someone else you over pay him. Along with over Payed Gordon. The good part they could be traded at some point.
I was hoping to look at the upcoming schedule and say we could we break out 11 of 15 or something like that but sadly that is not the case.
If he had a grip he should be asking for a power forward that’s at least close to his height that can help him rebound while being a stretch 4. A guy that can hold wings and be a threat from 3 at least.
