Harden is already leading the team by example already. He doesn't have to prove himself by drawing charges. The past Rockets team never had a inside defensive presence so they relied on drawing charges because the lack of size in the middle. When the Rockets had Yao, they also had guys like Shane Battier who specialized in drawing charge. When Yao retired and the Rockets ran with Hayes at the 5, the Rockets relied to drawing charges and the fans were so used to that. Now, this entire new Rockets team has a different culture. Harden never had to draw charges because he always had a defensive presence in the middle in Ibaka and now Asik. In Houston, he is far to valuable to be drawing charges and risk injuring himself just to prove a meaningless point to some fans. Its better for Harden to just play straight up defense and have a defensive big man behind him. There are certain players in the league who specialized in drawing charges and Harden is not one of them. Lebron, Durant, Melo doesn't draw charges. Teams usually have role players who specialized in drawing charges. In OKC, Nick Collison is the player who usually draw charges, Battier in Miami. A guy like Harden who is far too valuable to be drawing charges and risk getting injured. Plus, I'm sure the coaching staff, Morey and Leslie Alexander doesn't want Harden out there to be drawing charges also.
I hate charges, I remember in the 90's players actually go for the block. This era of a big man taking a charge on a guard is just so ridiculous.
I'm also of the belief that Harden shouldn't take charges. But as to what you're saying: http://www.hoopdata.com/defrebstats.aspx?team=LAL&type=tot&posi=%&yr=2013&gp=0&mins=0 Kobe has taken 9 charges this season. He took one as recently as last week against Portland.
Rondo has taken 18 charges even with his shortened season: http://www.hoopdata.com/defrebstats.aspx?team=BOS&type=tot&posi=%&yr=2013&gp=0&mins=0 You can debate if he's a superstar or not. Blake Griffin has taken 12. Chris Paul has taken 11. http://www.hoopdata.com/defrebstats.aspx?team=LAC&type=tot&posi=%&yr=2013&gp=0&mins=0
KD has taken 12 charges this season: http://www.hoopdata.com/defrebstats.aspx?team=OKC&type=tot&posi=%&yr=2013&gp=0&mins=0
Do you want me to go on pointing out how stupid your point was? I'm of the belief that superstars are better off not taking charges. I worry about Harden's health as much as the next guy on CF. I cringe every time I see him take contact and panic whenever I see him wince in pain. But do your research before you spout something like that.
To be fair Clips are known as flop city so you have to minus at least 90 percent of the charges they take.
i understand what rox fans are trying to say. no one wants their star to get injury or fouled out. but harden won't have this in his mind when he plays. first alot things on bball court are just natural instinct reactions. there is no way you can take time to think about if you take charges or not while you play. if harden had done, he would have been selfish. do you think he would rather have had his teammates get injuried? this is nonsense.
Yes, I want you to keep triple posting. And no, I don't care whether Harden takes charges or not. He's a superstar, that's not what he's here for.
does it matter? he's a lockdown defender. he doesn't need to be drawing charges. he needs to shut down opposing scorers
