no more ball watching like last season and he should be fine. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ejPYMpp7pLM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Honestly, who on the team is a below average defender? Based on the preseason games, everyone looks good and/or is making effort. We may not have the best defenders but we do have a roster with everyone buying in on the defensive end. Also, I don't know if you guys have noticed but Harden, Lin, and Parsons (the 3 who got called out publicly for their D) in almost all their interviews have emphasized defense. Feels like that's a shift in focus from last year. Link to Harden's post practice interview today. http://www.nba.com/rockets/video/2013/10/22/ZOOM0002MOV-3018331
I dislike PRESEASON polls and threads trying to pass judgement... Can we give this team 20 reg season games to start asking questions? SMH
I second that and I love Harden. He just doesn't have it. It's like asking Ron Artest to not be crazy. You have to have a mean nasty side to you to play great defense. Jordon, Payton, Metta, they want to destroy you on defense. Harden wants no part of that. The goal is for him to but the effort in and not be Charles Barkley or Dominique. That's why the Rockets can't afford to have anymore bad defenders on the court (like the power forward position for all of you that want Ryan "lame duck defense" Anderson or any equivalent). I like our team, I like Harden, they will do well and will be loads of fun to watch but it won't be because of Harden's defense.
Disagree. Harden had a rep as a decent defender in OKC. I think it's just a matter of effort. Now will he ever be an ELITE defender? I don't think so. But I think the ceiling is there to become average to above average. I think his defense has been above average this preseason.
^Truth..Defense is effort, leaders that show effort makes everyone around play harder. If Harden can play solid defense throughout the season make quicker decisions with the ball instead of dribbling then pass etc.. he will be a top 5 NBA player.
strongly disagree Tmac was a good defender when he was a defensive sidekick to vinsanity (who is still playing). I dunno where u are getting elite defender from. Harden is fine just how he is. A stud who is one of the best scorers in the game and he is just getting started.
Average. Could be better but an improvement from last season. The problem is can he be consistent? Its one thing to do it in a few preseason games its another thing entirely to do it over a course of the entire season.
if not harden who? Harden is a top 5 player.....who pray tell is ahead of him? Lebron Durant rose (if he holds up) Kobe and maybe cp3.
wow d I guess it was his bad defence that carried this team to a playoff berth. U guys are killing me. I guess 25 5 5 isn't enough for ur 2 guard he has to get 5 steals 5block shots and lock down his man take a charge. I don't see rose doing that, so be happy and stop nit picking. Harden is just what we need. A stud who carry a team on his back as good as any in the league.
no man you have this all wrong, I'm like one of the biggest Harden fans and I see there is room for growth there. I want to see him solidify a spot in the top 5 this season and improving his defense, which he has in the preseason, will allow him to do so
pretty much the same, a little better, because he didn't have to carry as much of a load. but he has the same habits of overhelping and ball watching. He should improve despite his lack of lateral quickness
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/63TDVWnZ5K8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> I remember watching this game on TV. Harden can be elite defensively 1-on-1 on players that want to post up. The job he did here on Kobe was phenomenal. But yeah, last year he ball watched and rested a bit on D. But there's no doubt in my mind that Harden can improve. He also get his share of steals.
