Too many minutes played. He's not the athlete Clyde was, and Clyde said he was exhausted after playing 36 mpg one year. We need some more scoring so he doesn't have to play so much. Because when he gets tired his efficiency and effort plummet.
What are his numbers if you take out the games against the Grizzlies, Pacers and Lakers? Those are the teams (the first two based on "style", LA simply because) that the league allows to foul and bump at will. James is great, but he's not a Kobe or McGrady in terms of elite burst or first step. Drawing fouls is a big part of what makes him a star, and if the officials decide they're not going to call anything, it's going to be tough. I think the biggest factor is that 4 of the last 12 games came against the league's anointed -- at least on the defensive end.
well it hurts to see harden shoot 4-13 from 3pt land, lin and parsons shoots 2-7 from 3pt land. The rest of the team shoots 0-6 from 3 as well. Total 8 of 29 from 3 point land. That hurts to see.
1. McHale can't rein in Harden when he's playing out of control or not putting up enough effort. 2. Fatigue/injury get to him. 3. Team and refs begin to figure out his one-dimensional game. 4. Hold on to the ball for too long, letting defense key in and creating difficult shots for him and his teammates. Is my take on Harden in the 2nd half of this season so far. It's like day and night compared to his MVP-worthy first half of the season.
He hasn't looked like himself since that GSW game after the All Star break. Looks like he lost a step. Doesn't get to the basket nearly as easy as he did in the beginning of the season. We were going to get crushed by OKC anyway but this is going to be an ugly series if Harden doesn't get it together.
The league is apparently adjusting to him. And he's not adjusting quick enough. Again tonight with the running with reckless abandon into the post. Dude, they aren't giving you that call, do something else. At least pullup and try to make the short jumper. I've NEVER seen him make the short jumper. EVER.
Banged up, teams keying in on him, no comparable talent around him, teammates not hitting shots, a coach who loves isos, still developing his game. /THREAD
It's not about not being able to rein him in. It is just that Mchale has no real offensive scheme so iso ball it is...
It can work if your PG has vision. Lin can be that guy if given the chance. Harden does not have true PG ability he's simply an SG who is a decent passer.
Until he develops an actual mid range game, he will never be a top tier player. The only way to be successful with what he's only doing now, 3's and driving, he has to SHOW the refs that he can actually finish through the contact more often. Lately I'm sad to say but Harden's game has been looking like one big gimmick. We went from one Kevin Martin to another.
There are two glaring flaws with the way he's playing right now.. 1. He hardly tries on defense. 2. He plays for the contact/fouls way too much instead of just concentrating on making the basket.
I disagree. When Harden was out Rockets played some great team ball with Lin running the team. There was no ISO ISO ISO. That's more a result of McHale letting Harden have free reign. He complains about the ball getting "sticky," yet never calls out or reprimands the biggest culprit in Harden.
