[Video] James Harden hits back-to-back threes late to help beat Spurs on Christmas Day

This is what people should think of first when they think of James Harden.

 

It's their own fault they don't.

Every 4th qtr he lights it up.

 

Harden was great tonight. #clutch

 

Maybe the signature moment of the season, thus far.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/JHarden13">@Jharden13</a> has been eating tonight <a href="https://t.co/qjbbgwRCEL">https://t.co/qjbbgwRCEL</a></p>&mdash; NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/680591691791908865">December 26, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Very nice

 

Jet paired with Harden huge down the stretch. Spurs can't double off him and he knows how to set up James just like he did for Dirk for many years. I didn't know he could set a mean pick on that first 3.

Capela's defense and ability to play with Harden and Howard are keeping Jones and DMo on the bench in the endgame. And we're winning.

 

And yet, some here hate him.

 

No doubt, but it was his good defensive display that set up this fantastic moment. Go Harden! Go Houston Rockets!

 

Harden is a Clutch player on the O side of the ball. If he continues to play D like he did against the Spurs on a consistent basis, this will can compete against any elite team in the league.

 

Some here hate how he has all this talent and then will go brain dead and lazy for several games dribbling down the shot clock before chucking or passing with 2 seconds left and playing zero defense.

 

exactly.

 

Is it just me or is he a little slower than last year? Doesn't seem to create separation as easily as he did last year.

His jumper looks good though, 39% from 3 in December

 

I've thought he looks quicker driving but slower in separating and pulling up for the jumper. It's probably just the fact that he hasn't been hitting it as much that draws attention. He's not getting blocked.

 

Agree, but wouldn't say it's a physical thing. I think it's more mental as he is seeing different defenses and maybe not being as decisive. Defenses in end game ISOs are overplaying his left with a 2nd defender shading over early, and a 3rd defender if/when a pick comes out of the 4 flat. Sometimes the extra defender even takes up an illegal defense position under old rules by standing in the ft circle.

 

James Harden has not given Rockets fans any reason to hate him.

 

Also when he doesn't bring the ball up, they do a good job of denying him the ball. It seems like when he finally gets it there's only like 10 seconds left.