Grade James Harden's 1st Round Performance

B-

His defense was underrated and solid throughout the series. Offensively, he's a an elite offensive player who will try and put a square peg through a round hole in the playoffs too often. Love the guy but stubbornly trying to hit floaters above Gobert was maddening, especially when the refs are letting the contact.

 

Below is the Giannis strategy.

 

I believe this will expose him and the bucks as you get to the much better teams later in the playoffs. Boston is a team that will definitely employ this. this is kind of where you miss Smart though, who we all know loves these kinds of plays

 

Yeah, I fully expect the better teams to focus on that. And if they get by Boston we have Toronto and Kyle "take charges" Lowry just waiting.

 

edited above, but this is probably the series boston feels the absence of smart.

 

That list is endless. This gimmicky defense works because Harden has eschewed the midrange game — it’s tailor made for the extremes of his offense arsenal. This defense would never be employed against Jordan, are you kidding?

 

Jordan never shot 40% from 3

 

Harden eclipsing Kobe for most free throw attempts in a series probably. LOL.

Idk. Somebody need to grade far"weed" performance compared to House.

 

Excellent in games 1 and 2. Mediocre to poor at times by his standards in games 3-5.