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Ben Simmons says James Harden one of the best defenders in the NBA

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by DaBeard, Mar 19, 2020.

  1. Reeko

    Reeko Member

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    foh
     
  2. macan

    macan Member

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    i've seen enough. let's trade for KAT and Ben Simmons Morey!
    both of them are still young. we should be good even after Harden and Russ both retired in a few years.
     
  3. LosPollosHermanos

    LosPollosHermanos Houston only fan
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    Yea man Harden is a GREAT defender. I don’t think you understand that I implied that he wasn’t a bad defender either. Both extremes is sipping the kool aid
     
  4. Caprah

    Caprah Member

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    You got mental help yet for you’re trolling with multiple ids yet?
     
  5. rocketseagles07

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    While I agree he’s not a GOOD defender outside the post. On ball he’s never been bad when he TRIES. Off ball he still gets lost.

    Like most things with James it’s not NEARLY as bad as the haters say and isn’t as good as our fans say
     
  6. Reeko

    Reeko Member

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    overall, he is average at worst

    His defense shouldn’t be a topic of conversation as often as it is. He is fine on that end. The clueless media and casual fans are still stuck in 2014.
     
    rocketseagles07 and vlaurelio like this.
  7. Gorilladunks

    Gorilladunks Member

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    James Harden ranks out as a pretty solid defender this season. Real Plus Minus last i checked had him as a plus 1.4-1.5 I think.
     
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  8. ksny15

    ksny15 Member

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    Lol James isn't horrible on defense like many think. But he's definitely not even close to one of the best or even being considered a good defender
     
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  9. fattz

    fattz Member

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    This is why his offense has dropped down to just league leader instead of Wilt like. He takes a lot of punishment in the paint.
     
  10. Fefo

    Fefo Member

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    Last moment, James Harden said that Ben Simmons is a great 3 point shooter, per sauces...
     
  11. Sanctity

    Sanctity Member

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    Just needs the team to cut on offense so he can get some assists. It's not just the Rockets but most teams seem to stand around and iso these days..what gives?
     
  12. ROXTXIA

    ROXTXIA Contributing Member

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    You just described ESPN commentators.

    All of them.
     
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  13. Magicsaint

    Magicsaint Member

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    Big difference between a bad defender and a lazy defender. I do not think anyone complains about him being bad but probably points out that he can be a terrific defender consistently if he chooses to. We have seen many flashes of that.
     
  14. Dr of Dunk

    Dr of Dunk Clutch Crew

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    Ironically, the analytics is probably James' best defense sometimes (no pun intended). lol.
     
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  15. MorningZippo

    MorningZippo Member

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    Just because you don’t agree with it, doesn’t mean it’s homerism.

    It’s well known among intelligent basketball viewers and stat heads that James is a net positive on defense this season.
     
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  16. Red Hova

    Red Hova Member

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    In all honesty, when Harden played for OKC he was known for being a good defender. When he first got to Houston, while in many cases he carried Houston offensively, he was criticized for not trying to play defense.

    Like in most media cases the narrative carried on way too long and they sound foolish for making jokes and erroneous claims about Hardens defense.
     
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  17. hikanoo49

    hikanoo49 Member

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    Harden Has very specialized skills

    he is not a good defender overall but is a very good post defender. He is stocky and can hold his ground for guards that post up or play a more inside game like Simmons. So against Simmons, harden will do a good job. Against a klay Thompson or steph curry whom is quick, moves around and can shoot from outside, he won’t
     
  18. Bo6

    Bo6 Member

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    this has been james's best season defensively imo.

    he's just getting really beat up now that we went full on small ball and it's taking his legs out on offense.
     
  19. daywalker02

    daywalker02 Member

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    You could say Corona is wasting his prime and his defensive prowess.
     
  20. YOLO

    YOLO Member

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    he's a good interior/low post defender because he is obviously strong and is able to hold his ground against guys that think for some reason they can bully. otoh, on the perimeter though, not so much. this is pretty much the bulk of how its been since hes been here. you prefer him guarding guys slower and closer to the basket. not the opposite.
     

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