He's always been great on offense, but something about him seems even better this season. I can't put a finger on what changed with him exactly. Besides his scoring numbers he just seems like a much better player on offense (if you get my meaning). His step back has improved, but he just plays perfectly on offense this season. Is it he learned to trust his teammates? Better at knowing when to attack the rim? Is it him getting better at knowing when to take over? Or is it something like better conditioning?
Experience I heard . . . in almost any sport. . . the more you play the more the game slows down for you Rocket River
He realized he was the best player in the arena. It's really that simple. I remember when he had that interview this summer and he said it: "I'm the best player in the league." Our response was LOL wut? His confidence changed. Coming from OKC he wasn't sure he could be the guy.
I'm okay if Harden loses MVP to Westbrook. Curry on the other hand, isn't in the same league as those two lately. Not a diss on Curry, but Harden and Westbrook have been dynamite.
Didn't he have foot problems last season. That definitely effected his jump-shooting. Also better teammates with Ariza, Terry, Brewer who play better off the ball than Lin and Parsons who needed the ball to be effective. This gives him more space and opportunities.
His averaged this week are just going to be astronomical. A 51 points and 41 point game in one week lol.
Funny how some were calling him drunk and embarrassing early in that game. As for the thread...people have already mentioned it, but him developing actual go-to moves like the stepback and the crossover have really helped him. He was always capable of those, but now he's mastered them, and that just comes with experience.
seems like whenever a player comes back from Team USA in the summer they become better players. Coach K and Thibs made Harden a better player this summer... Anthony Davis and Cousins have taken their games up another level as well
It's simple, he got in the gym and worked. He's talened as heck, his conditioning now is remarkable and in turn he has improved. Remember when he first got here we hated him playing in isolation? Well that's what has changed
1. Harden's isolation plays are more successful this year. He's drawing more fouls and converting FGAs at a higher clip. I would say he's the best one-on-one player in the NBA. 2. He no longer holds the ball until 2 seconds are left in the shot clock before dishing to another player for a desperation heave. 3. He is (selectively) trying harder on defense and plays much more sound. I guess he put in a lot of hard work this summer and came back with a different attitude.
Maturity Surrounded by great players. Surrounded by great coaches. Realizing what it takes to be successfully. Realization is only through personal experience. No amount of talking and learning can get you there.
Not much change except for being relied upon to do more. He is finishing more possessions with a shot, FT or turnover. He is assisting on a higher % of teammate's baskets while being assisted on a lower % of his own baskets than before. His personal efficiency on offense is only slightly lower than last year, which is quite impressive given that he's had to do more in games and making something out of more difficult situations. Given that the team is only ranked 12th overall on offense, the Rockets really need to get Harden some more help.
