Harden is obviously not a good defender; there's no argument there and it's the main reason why I thought Gordon might actually turn out to be the better player in the long run. Still, it's strange for Lowe to claim Harden is "hidden" on the weaker offensive player. Parsons and Delfino are known as 3&D players in the mold of Sefolosha and Afflalo, so of course they're going to take the tougher assignment.
I haven't noticed Harden's D getting better late in games myself, but I do agree that the issue with Harden is mainly effort. Zach Lowe correctly pointed out some of Harden's defensive flaws, but IMO it really it just comes down to effort with Harden. He just doesn't always try hard. It got to a point a few games ago where I actually was thinking about putting together a few clips of his lack of effort/poor defensive play. Coincidentally Harden has been solid ever since. At times he'll still over-help, not be in proper help position or not fight through screens as hard as he could, but it won't kill the team as long as he keeps it at a minimum. Fingers crossed that he'll keep it up.
I can also point out several times that players do not run back or seemingly give up a play. I think it's to the point where people are just looking harder at him than others. No he doesn't give 100% on defense every single play, but the amount of players that give 100% effort for every second on the court is rare, that maximum effort is a skill and guys like Faried thrive and get paid off doing just that. Yeah recently he's been playing better on defense and giving more effort (as has the team) it could be that all those b2bs actually wear a guy out after a while.
You are wasting your time Sam. First, Harden doesn't "suck" on defense, he is a marginal defender this season. Second, it is almost impossible to measure the individual defenders on the Rockets based on their terrible team defense. Even Jordan often times did not draw the toughest cover, it went to Pippen.
What do you expect when Harden is playing 40+ minutes a game? Unless you are Jordan or Kobe, you can't possibly play such heavy minutes + carry team's offesne + play solid defense. Something's got to give.
LeBron, Durant, Westbrook, and old Kobe, all gives their best effort on the Defense. That's what separate superstars from the regular stars. You have to be good on both ends. As most people point out, defense has more to do with effort than skills. If Harden ever want to achieve that true superstar level, I believe he does want because he said in his twitter days ago "I just wanna be successful.", then he will have to put much better effort on his defense. Honestly he is the weakest link of our starting 5 on defense. Really hope Harden will improve his defense because we need him to play much better defense in order for us to go deeper in the playoffs.
I disagree. Though I would like to see him improve on defense, that won't be what makes the Rockets sink or swim come playoff time. Far more important than that is keeping our turnovers under control and crashing the defensive boards.
Who has given him a free pass? To say his defense is horrible is to say he's a complete liability on that end like Martin was. We know that is not true. If it were true you'd see players go at him every night. Because it would be such a weakness that coaches would say "Lets make him defend so we can tire him out and he won't be as effective offensively or get him in foul trouble." and for how bad he supposedly is you really don't see it often like how we used to see it nearly every night with Martin. I'd say he's below average-average defender and some nights he's just bad.
People haven't 'targeted' him because the reports aren't out yet but mostly because he gives the opposing player about 50 feet of slack so they instinctely jack up threes. It's what caused Danny Green to absolutely torch us and all he was doing was catching and shooting and Harden literally just stood there and watched him. Many times he doesn't chase his man back on transition either, Iguodala had a field day with that. But it'll improve over time imo, at least it's due to effort not ineptitude like Carmelo, Kobe24edition, Dirk, Amare
People b****ed about Kevin Martin's empty stats because of his defense. Harden is obviously much more talented offensively but he's still giving up too many buckets defensively. Still a big net positive but the team has found itself buried due to defensive ineptitude in many games, and Harden was the main factor in them. He's meant to be the leader so it makes it even worst that he puts no effort in while guys like Delfino, Douglad and Beverleytry their arses off.
Kevin Martin can be an All-star if he plays defense. Harden can be a superstar if he plays better defense. Harden gets a little too lazy on defensive end so far this season.
The guy is 23 years old and in his first year as the starter (focal point of the team/offense). If he's still playing this way at the age of 25-28 then you have a more than valid point. Right now! It's all just a learning process, not only for him but for the entire squad. It'll help having a year under their belt and as I said upgrades where need be. Of course it wouldn't ever be enough for our young up and coming star (budding into superstar) to just be appreciated just after acquiring him. That's just too much to ask for obviously. Bunch of ungratefuls.
What? Kobe is one of the worst defenders in the league playing major minutes and Westbrook hardly ever puts effort on defense and gets lost all the time.
Check their advanced defensive stats again. Kobe at such an old age still ranks among top50 in points per possession allowed this season(Harden is ranked below average and way behind), and he still has better PER than Harden on offense.
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2013/1/11/3864814/kobe-bryant-is-ruining-kobe-bryants-historic-season Plus on Lakersground there was thread about how bad his defense has been.
