Why is this thread voted down? The way he he plays sometimes is un-freaking-bearable sometimes. Why do posters make so many excuses for him? HE GOT A MAX CONTRACT, PLAY LIKE IT. Just god awful D, especially letting Meeks blow by him and slam it in. Drive in and flop your arms hoping to draw a foul but it leads to a turnover or a brick. Pull up contested 3 for a BRICK AFTER BRICK AFTER BRICK. Lin played ****ty too but Harden has SOO many freaking chances and he keeps blowing it with brick-turnover ball.
His game has its flaws but he is still a superstar. He needs to have more of a game then driving to the hole and drawing fouls and shooting 3's. When you got a guy like Howard in there, and when Harden really can't elevate that high, it allows the defense to play him tight and take away the 3 as well. So this is why he needs that midrange game, so he can beat his man off the dribble and get a floater up before Howard slides in there.
can people give valid reasons why they are defending him for this kind of play other then just being a star who lead us to the playoffs?
Harden starts to sell too much on drawing fouls. He use to try to finish and fouls are bonus, but now he just tries to draw more fouls instead of trying to make the layup, but then getting closer to playoff Refs catching up to his scheme and opponents figure him out. His most important weapon becomes his worst enemy as if there is no call, almost always becomes a turn over. And he never gets back on those ones, he would spend sometime argue to the refs about the call while his man is dunking or making 3 on the other end.
I'm certain we would be an even better team without Harden as McHale's savior to run black hole ISO play after fking play, without that bull**** offense the team plays like a TEAM and actually moves the ball, tonight is just a prime example of what McHale believes in.
His max contract kicks in next season. Maybe this year of seasoning carrying the burden will make him raise his game to another level.
James Harden's best teammate is Chandler Parsons. I love Parsons, but that's hardly a top level running mate. He needs more help, preferably an offensively competent 4 or 5.
He's really been pissing me off lately passing it to a covered Lin or Parsons with 3-4 seconds left on the clock...I mean, WTF is that?
You gonna be kidding me. I don't see any super stars play defense like he does. He maybe a top 5 scorer though. But he is just not the same for the past two months.
Harden is fine. But if he wants to be considered elite, he needs to develop his midrange shots and add more skills to his arsenal over the summer
Harden can't do anything when he is not drawing fouls or he's not on fire from three point land. He has no mid-range game.
Agreed. Harden sucks, he has no killer instinct and he's not clutch. Granted, he was being hacked all night long and the refs never gave him any whistles. Dwight tackled him and should have been called flagrant 1, but no foul was called. Refs are clearly bailing the Lakers out like they usually do. NBA is like WWE, imo. There is no integrity in this game anymore and I don't think I will be following this sport much longer.
I think a lot of people hit the nail on the head stating that the season wore on him. He is 23 and just went from coming off the bench and being the third best player to easily the #1 guy on a team completely dependent on him.
he is very frustrating to watch. honestly, when he's not on (most of the time) his game is flat out ugly. turnover after turnover. not actually going in the paint with the intent to MAKE a shot but just flail and expect the call. parking his ass on the other side of the court during the other teams' fast breaks (usually after he turns it over), not caring to get back on d, pouting that he didn't get a whistle. seriously harden needs grow up. he was horrible against the grizzlies and he was horrible tonight......points don't mean a ******* thing when he acts like he doesn't give a ****.
I blame a lot of this BS on McFail...I mean, how many non-PGs are competent enough to run an offense? Hmm, lets see...oh yeah, Lebron...that's it. It's not Harden's fault he's being utilized incorrectly
Harden is not overated but ISO is overated...you need TEAMBALL for Harden to be effective...btw Harden needs to improve midrange shot... he is kinda perhaps worst SG in the league in that shot...everybodys shooting midrange j better than him...
