because he wasnt the main go to scorer lol. remember last year? "martin is not a star, hes a really really really good role player.." - everybody.. well there you go, perfect example is this year.
harden is a terrific player with what he has but he needs to add more to his game, and i don't doubt he will. right now he's a pretty limited offensive player; though very effective with what he has. he has two iso scoring moves and two only; step back jumper, or go left and reach his arms out to beat his man or draw a foul. on fast breaks his euro-step is deadly but with bad ankle it's non-existent. on passing, he has two passes - on pick and roll, the bounce pocket pass, or on drives, he passes to his right to a three point shooter. you double him on his left, he still throws to his right and get picked off.
The problem with Martin still remains, he starts to hide in the 4th qtr. Thunder fans are already hoping he's replaced.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>I asked Harden if he'd iso, step back again. Said he definitely would. Said was just cold after sitting w/ foul trouble.</p>— Jonathan Feigen (@Jonathan_Feigen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jonathan_Feigen/status/329290610911621121">April 30, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> Harden can get the ISO step back anytime he wants. He just needs to attack the rim and not settle for jumpers.
That's his money shot. He great a great look people have seen to forgot he's been making that all year
I agree with this part. I don't get why so many believe Harden has elite court vision or passing skills. He can drive and kick, but in terms of seeing/finding the open man or passing the ball at the right spots he's average at best. Harden's been the biggest culprit of throwing passes at the ankles of our bigs and he's had a lot of "WTF was that?" type passes on breaks or in transition. Playmaking just isn't natural for him, it's more of a side effect of his scoring ability; which makes complete sense because Harden is not a PG. Off the pick and roll and in general Lin has been the far better passer/playmaker this season, but most will still say Harden is the better playmaker. Better scorer is not = better playmaker. James averaged about 6 assists this season but it's a result of him having the ball most of the time. Kobe averaged 6 assists as well, does he now have elite vision and playmaking ability?
if you're cold, work to get a better shot for someone else on the team that's NOT cold... and last night, there were plenty.
the pop culture stigma associated with his beard is dumb. if i were him id get rid of it for that reason. just hoop *****. you already got fked up teeth who cares what you look like
it's one thing to do it after the ball has exchanged 4 different sets of hands, and quite another when you dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble some more dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble dribble, uh oh, clock is down to 5 seconds, dribble..shoot.
Harden has an injured thigh. That's obvious. It's wrapped up and he's often clutching at it after drives to basket. Parker iso's more than Harden. Does this make Pops a lesser coach?
Thigh or hip. He looked very tentative in the first half, perhaps from not warming all the way up and being cold in an effort not to aggravate the injury. They said on the radio broadcast that he had several treatments on it so I imagine it is painful.
now when you summed it all up it seems like delfino sausage experiment turned wrong....:grin::grin::grin:
Parker iso is effective... Harden iso is the least effective strategy i saw in my entire life...he sucks at it...and its an awfull and painfull basketball to watch...
