I was shocked to notice that Harden is #1 in the NBA in Steals at 2.46 per game. He's averaging a full steal per game more than his career average. Harden's steals in the 4th quarter last night essentially made the difference in the game. Have to give the man credit, he has really improved his ability to have impact on both ends of the floor. CP3 is #2 in the league at 2.36 per game. We may never see a Rockets duo #1 and #2 in steals again.
He doesn’t close out on his man at three point line so he should be making a few extra steals in the passing lanes a game...
I seen Harden last night in 4th quarter defender ish smith and I was pleasantly shocked on a block attempt on a midrange jumper by ISh. Harden jumped and looked like he really wanted that block. I was watching the game and my sister was in the couch and she even made the comment, that was her first time ever or in a long time seeing Harden contest a jump shot like that.i told probably the first time since he contested Durant’s game winner in a season opener two years ago and forced him to take the shot after time expired. Last night was probably the best defensive game I seen from harden. Jsut reinforced the belief in my head that hes more than capable of playing great defense, it’s all about intent.
It is refreshing to see Harden put forth more effort on defense. I think its a combination of things that is motivating him. #1 - Our team's mentality. Tucker is a junkyard dog defender and one of James close friends. Paul is one of the best and most crafty small defenders in NBA history. Capela has leveled up his defense and has become an excellent rim protector. Ennis the Menace is starting to get more comfortable in his roll. Then you have young guys like Clark and Hartenstein hustling their tales off and it makes for a team atmosphere that thrives off of defense. We still have some work to do, but we're moving in the right direction. #2 - More rest. MDA is giving him rest in the rotation and so he has more energy for defense. Last night was an exception because of PJ's ejection, but Harden is getting some time to rest when Paul runs the show. Harden is thick and I think running up and down the court for 40 minutes literally wore his ass out before we got Paul. #3 - Maturity. Harden is the reining MVP and he's finally achieved the individual accolades that he's deserved. They came so close last year and he knows that to get over the hump this year he has to play harder and better defense. In any case, I'm encouraged and once Jeff comes back, I think we can continue to improve. Now if Morey the Magician can pull another 3 and D difference maker out of his sleeve we can really start to rock.
A few observations...He has always played defense in spurts - he seems to have become better at figuring out situationally when to play the passing lane and when to give a hard contest which makes his spurts of defense a little more impactful. Also note that teams definitely try to get him on ball a lot more now then earlier in his career which is ironic because I think ball watching off ball and losing his man was his biggest defensive liability. He used to be a passive on ball defender but I don’t think that’s the case now - he at least contests now. Also props to James and Houston’s defensive scheme because they often put him in the role where he is picking up a big and James is an excellent defender of bigs for a guard. This reminds me of the philosophy of those Spurs teams where they excel at adapting to put players in positions that they can succeed in by highlighting their strengths rather than trying to hide their weaknesses. It’s a small thing but it’s one of the reasons San Antonio and Houston seem to find impactful players off the scrap heap.
I think it is management. They figured out what Harden is best at and put him there. Which is in the paint. Apparently he has quick hands, is strong enough to not get pushed around, and is relatively tall. What he is not good at is man to man, closing out and rotating.
In points and steals. Honestly. Who’s been better than him this year all around. They may want to give it to Gianns but Harden has been lights out since he got healthy. So under appreciated. So underrated.
Maybe that’s the schemes we’re playing so opponents who don’t shoot the three as well are left to shoot them and the easy shots in the lane are taken away... then we blow them out.
