Why Harden is struggling...regular season vs Playoffs

At some point, every great player comes up against a defense that gives him trouble, and he has to learn to beat it. Like Harden, a lot of the great wing players started out as being unstoppable off the dribble (Jordan, Magic, Kobe, Lebron) and then they had to respond to teams that packed the paint. All of these guys adapted by developing a post game with power moves in which they could reliably score.

Harden is having some trouble because he has a finesse game. He is strong enough to develop a power game, but he needs to learn. Finesse is unreliable in the playoffs.

 

he got some stripper pregnant and unlike kobe who balled like his life depended on it he's "hyperventilating." i think that clip about the coaching staff making comments on the team's activity was actually directed at harden

 

that is pretty @#$%ed up when you think about it.

Benching Asik was a huge distraction. Completely messed up Asik. Then... as soon as the playoffs start, we throw out the entire game plan and Asik is starting. Looks bad. Plus maybe Asik would be in better shape and we would have a better flow. Asik is still absolutely horrible around the rim though. mind boggling that he cant make a layup.

 

Harden is finally learning why the free throw line is also called the "charity stripe", he is living at the mercy of the ref's whistle. All of this could have been avoided if Harden actually expanded his skillset and keyed in on D as he promised he would do during the offseason last year. At 24, he still has got time on his side to correct things though.

 

Harden made that D promise? I don't know how I could have missed that announcement.