It doesn't matter if he falls down easily, they're still landing in his shooting area. It's a shooting foul 100% of the time.... or 0% of the time if you're a Warriors player defending it.
I'm also a firm believer he falls down the moment he feels a foot under him, because that is actually the softest way to fall to avoid ankle sprain. It's no accident he turns his ankle a lot (drives and layups mostly in the past) and doesn't ever get a sprain...it's stepping softly, too. Don't fall hard on someone's foot, rather absorb it with your butt.
This is spot on. The truth is Harden has a talent. A talent that other players can’t match. Fans and other players complain about it because they don’t recognize it as so. The league office and officials don’t like being “fooled” and thus over correct. Leading to Harden getting fouled even MORE! The truth is Harden is going to have change his style because the cards are stacked against him.
like others have said, falling can help protect his ankle by not putting his full weight on it if he lands on someone elses foot or something. thats fine, but he should stop trying to exaggerate contact. THAT is when he looks like he is trying to fool the refs. he needs to focus on scoring instead trying to draw fouls. the whistle will come with greatness. i dont like how steph curry kicks his legs out on every single shot though and no one ever says a word. not even guys commentating on the game never even mention it. he is worse than james when it comes to that.
Next time he goes for a shot . .. and they coming under him He should raise his knees to his chest them stomp down on their ankles as hard as possible . . lol Sweep the leg Jimmie! Rocket River
If you watch harden, he falls down on a lot of plays. That’s a part of his training is my theory. Much. Like aikido. If you learn how to fall and transfer the energy to the ground, it takes much less energy to stop that force. And, it’s less likely that you will get hurt. I think this has been his key to success especially since he looks for a lot of contact.
The refs job is to watch for contact as he comes down. If they wait until after he lands, they aren’t doing their job, and need to be fired. Why is this so complicated for some people? Running under landing spot of a jump shooter = foul. It’s that simple.
Harden knows that players are fooled into jumping hard towards him. He knows if he lands on his feet, his ankles could be compromised by said defender. Harden has feet out a bit and lands in a sitting position because it is actually safer for him than falling on his feet. I've actually never thought he was "kicking out" his feet as some players have in the past. In all honesty, if a player jumps towards him and makes contact, they fouled the shooter. That's it.
Reminder to the refs: KISS If there is a foul, call a foul. If there is no foul and just a flop, don't call a foul. Disregard the wolf. How hard is it? Can't distinguished between the two? Give up your whistle and retire.
