That last paragraph. Certainly not meaningless when it comes to Harden. Of course he would get blocked. On a 3. At the buzzer. In the playoffs. With the game on the line. Looking forward to seeing what kind of new innovative epic fails he’s got up his sleeve for this years playoffs.
I don't really get why this guy thinks it is an anomaly. Harden gets to the basket a ton still on one hamstring and older but isn't as good at finishing yet still draws fouls because he attempts a lot of shots in close like he always has. Seems pretty intuitive that his block rate would go up, but he'd still get to the line - maybe even more since people attempt to block more. Oh and btw he happens to play on the same team now as a guy who goes to the line even more than peak Harden so they're in the bonus..a lot. And fwiw the "non basketball move " foul. crack down they did this year - even though everyone said it was bc of Harden, seems like it as really due to Trae Young. In 2021, Harden didn't shoot that many FTs - lowest # per 36 (7) since OKC and was...24th in FTA Not even renotely close to Giannis or Embiid in terms of total or average. I don't get why the league would do a "Harden crackdown" after a year in which he barely went to the line.
The guy is an all-timer at orchestrating an offense and does it so casually. Toronto have OG and Barnes, they have the best wing defenders for Harden and he still shredded them offensively.
Needs to shoot a little better, but other than that fantastic game from Mr.Harden. Love the salt in here from butthurt fans because Harden couldn’t take down a dynasty in their prime.
Barkley was saying that Harden has to average 28 for Philly to win. The expectation That Harden has to be Houston Harden plus. If Harden is doing as much as he did in Houston. Philly is in trouble. Rocket River