Clearly the team is different, Luc, PJ, CP3 ripping it up, but Harden is also, on his own, different this season. How so? If you noticed a specific, doesn’t have to be the biggest change, the most important, or most significant — just something Harden is doing differently this year. I think he’s going into his moves sooner, w/o thinking about it, a correction probably from watching the moments in previous post seasons where he paused too long before doing something in big moments. He’s practicing for the post season. Right into his stuff, more confidently.
Nothing. He is still the bad mofo he has been for years. Ok CP3 allows Harden to get more rest on the bench. Years past he had to go back in as soon as he sat.
I've noticed that he has adjusted to the way he is officiated so he is trying to actually finish now as opposed to seeking fouls that just aren't called anymore.
* more in scorer mode than scorer / facilitator mode. last year they needed harden to score and create for EVERYBODY. now cp3 has picked that part up and allowed harden to focus on scoring. * he's just playing smarter last year sometimes he would drive when he should shoot and shoot when he should drive. now he's not forcing anything offensively and taking what the defense gives him. last year he was more predictable. sometimes i would sit and watch the rockets and roll my eyes because i knew he was going to do his patented size up dribble > step back iso brick **** at times. now he's more unpredictable. defenders don't know what the **** he's going to do now.
He's lost weight. You can tell his handle is quicker. He's dribbling lower to the ground. His handle is more stable. He's actually trying to finish more due to his added spring in his step from losing weight. I hope he maintains this condition for a long time in his career.
while I agree with @vlaurelio and @ApacheWarrior that most of it can be attributed to cp3 taking pressure off harden, I also think that he improved his game this offseason. The great ones always seem to get better every year. Dude is as dedicated as they come. He eats and sleeps basketball. he lost weight and got in better shape. He is playing so well.
Last season, he would have the ball stripped significant more times when he did that dance with the dribble. Defenders seem to be trying to swipe and press him as much as possible and it just doesn't phase him. His legs are moving quicker.
Last season you could tell he worked a lot on dribbling with his right hand and going to his right side. This season it seems he's equally as good at going to his right. That's the difference. He has no weaknesses, his confidence is through the roof & he's sick and tired of being criticized.
Shocked this hasn't been mentioned yet because it's the most obvious improvement. His 3PT shooting is way up. He's averaging 4.4 made per game on over 40%, He's almost 1 three per game above Curry at a higher shooting % this season. He's simply on fire from the 3PT line this season. To compare, he's making over 2 more 3's per game compared to his first season in Houston, on a career high %. Harden basically is now shooting 3's like Curry. He's also, for the 1st time in his career averaging over a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio which is great considering the assist and points he generates.
Better shape, more mature, CP3, 2nd year in system, better supporting cast, multiple defensive minded players that can also shoot the three.
He just seems better around the rim. He is better with both hands. Fouled or not he is going for 2 . .. . He is not losing the ball on his drives even has people are still hitting his hands and arms (Fouls that are not being called but still . . last year they were 'turnovers') Rocket River
