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Harden is sometimes so frustrating in late game situations

Discussion in 'Houston Rockets: Game Action & Roster Moves' started by rox4lyf, Aug 22, 2020.

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  1. rox4lyf

    rox4lyf Member

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    I get it. We would've never been up 2-0 with an opportunity to be up 3-0 without the masterful performance of James Harden. He's amazing. But I've seen this story play out so many times in late game situations where he completely has a brain fart. Usually it doesn't bite us in the butt because we would have Paul or Westbrook pick up the slack. But tonight it did. And it hurts man.

    Up 5 with less than a minute left, Harden puts up zero resistance and lets Paul drive by him for an open layup. Doesn't take off any time off the clock. OKC down 3.

    During the inbound, we've seen Harden do this before (Marcus Smart offensive foul call 2 years ago), fail to move off the ball and just stand there and leans on Paul to force the ref to make a foul call. This time, unlike the Marcus Smart situation, it works and refs call the foul. HOU up 2.

    Next inbound play, Harden does the exact same thing. Just stands there and doesn't fight to open a passing lane for PJ. So PJ forces the ball into a tight window to EG. Ball goes out of bounds. Looks like ball grazes Adams' hand, but refs make the controversial call.

    Next possession, Harden allows Paul to blow by him again with zero effort. Bad help by House, should've never left the corner being down 2, gives up the wide open 3. OKC up 1 then wins ball game in OT.

    So sad right now. :(
     
    #1 rox4lyf, Aug 22, 2020
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  2. durvasa

    durvasa Contributing Member

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    Maybe the sore shoulder had something to do with it. He really had difficulty getting separation.

    I worry that it's not going to get better for him in game 4 unless someone else gets hot and takes some pressure off him. We need Westbrook back.
     
    #2 durvasa, Aug 22, 2020
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  3. Juxtaposed Jolt

    Juxtaposed Jolt Member

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    HE. HAD. FIVE. FOULS.

    You clearly watched the game, since you recall such vivid details. So how do you not recall Harden having 5 fouls? Any sort of defensive pressure is just bait for the refs to call a foul. Especially with how crafty CP3 is.
     
    #3 Juxtaposed Jolt, Aug 22, 2020
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  4. KingCheetah

    KingCheetah Contributing Member

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    Harden 3/4 quarters.
     
    #4 KingCheetah, Aug 22, 2020
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  5. Mr. Space City

    Mr. Space City Member

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    only problem i had with him in the 4th was him chasing that glory stepback 3 instead of just getting what the defense gives you.
     
    #5 Mr. Space City, Aug 22, 2020
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  6. apollo33

    apollo33 Member

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    He had 5 fouls is the reason he let CP go by him.

    You are right about not moving for inbounds tho, that will never change and I hate him for it
     
    #6 apollo33, Aug 22, 2020
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  7. TheSource

    TheSource Member

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    Also up 5 not sure the exact time in the game but under 1:30 left he shoots a 30 foot step back 3 for no reason instead of driving and making a play for himself or others
     
    #7 TheSource, Aug 22, 2020
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  8. HorryForThree

    HorryForThree Member

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    Agreed, sadly.
     
    #8 HorryForThree, Aug 22, 2020
  9. HardenVolumeOne

    HardenVolumeOne Member

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    harden was a +6 the rest of the rockets starters were in the minus. harden leads 538 raptor WAR for a reason

    clutch needs to start banning some of these harden haters man. for real. we get enough from the media and espn/tnt. now in our own fanbase. foh and go root for the warriors
     
    #9 HardenVolumeOne, Aug 22, 2020
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  10. HardenVolumeOne

    HardenVolumeOne Member

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    we got what you wanted harden fouled out 30 seconds into ot and the game got ugly. how the **** are we blaming harden for this game. i swear if harden was lightskin or a euro like yao or shane batteri he would be universally loved on this board
     
    #10 HardenVolumeOne, Aug 22, 2020
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  11. Blake

    Blake Contributing Member

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    5 fouls
     
    #11 Blake, Aug 22, 2020
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  12. rox4lyf

    rox4lyf Member

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    Hey man I completely get it with the 5 fouls. But if you watch the play CP3 really didn't make any move, Harden just did an "ole" and let him blow right past him. All he had to was move his feet just a little bit laterally to stop the initial drive. You can easily do that without fouling. Also refs tend to let players play at the close of games unless it's clearly a foul like when Harden got his 6th.
     
    #12 rox4lyf, Aug 22, 2020
  13. apollo33

    apollo33 Member

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    Harden cannot drive on Dort, it's really that simple, of he doesn't get the switch he should give the ball up.

    The last two possessions he tried to force it on Dort he got blocked twice
     
    #13 apollo33, Aug 22, 2020
  14. HardenVolumeOne

    HardenVolumeOne Member

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    the refs are targeting harden, the refs have shown they will foul harden out at any point in the game
     
    #14 HardenVolumeOne, Aug 22, 2020
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  15. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    Refs may let players play
    But not harden.

    Rocket River
     
    #15 Rocket River, Aug 22, 2020
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  16. Rocket River

    Rocket River Member

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    Refs gave dort ridiculous respect

    Rocket River
     
    #16 Rocket River, Aug 22, 2020
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  17. Cstyle42

    Cstyle42 Member

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    It can't always be an excuse with Harden. Gotta win two more games and move on.
     
    #17 Cstyle42, Aug 22, 2020
  18. apollo33

    apollo33 Member

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    Dort moves his feet and is strong he actually doesn't foul a whole lot on Harden drives. Maybe Hardens should is hurt because he is only driving left and it got kind of predictable
     
    #18 apollo33, Aug 22, 2020
  19. HardenVolumeOne

    HardenVolumeOne Member

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    THIS
     
    #19 HardenVolumeOne, Aug 22, 2020
  20. Loneyroy7

    Loneyroy7 Member

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    He was blatantly fouled on one of those "blocks".
     
    #20 Loneyroy7, Aug 22, 2020
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