I agree, his effort level has improved ( it is actually pretty noticeable ). But that "doesn't kill you on D" line really sticks out. As in, we are accepting this because he can score better than 99% of the players in the league. Similar to Melo who has issues with his D and also with effort. Kmart also is able to get steals ( also from gambling ). Where he killed you was, like you mentioned, getting hung up/bullied and just being too damn small to fight through all that ****. I can accept his defense when there is effort there. He's not very good ( defense wise ) right now, but the effort has to be there. I'd rather him out up 30 a night on 12 shots and, like Lowe said, hide him on the weakest threat on the other team. Its not like he's the only player with this problem
I read the comments. I have yet to see a Harden only fan. Maybe you could point out a post in particular?
Blowing a writer off because they don't want to agree with what they said ( when they are obviously right ) is exactly the sort of thing a LOF would do, except there are more of them, the go way over the top ( like I said ) and have honed it into an art form. Harden isn't flawless, just like Lin doesn't harvest his tears to bring happiness to neglected children across the globe. Its annoying, and been around in different forms for different players. Only now, its reaching critical mass.
i agree with the article. Harden is crap on D. Forget about man to man one on one defense, Harden cant even stay with his man when his man doesnt have the ball. How many times have we seen easy uncontested lay ups because harden didnt even bother staying with his man? Not asking for gary payton lock down defense from harden because he does so much on offense, just asking to not let your man get behind you and score uncontested lay ups because he didnt even try to guard him.
It's true: Harden frequently slacks off on D. He won't in the playoffs, but his scoring will probably drop. That said, I am a major Harden fan!
Hes not that bad, i wouldn't even say he's bad. I think he's average, he's strong, has solid athleticism and length. He's pretty much a decent defender by default, its just comes down to effort like other have said and how much he focuses.
I don't think he understands what the term "LOF" or "HOF" means. How can someone have joined before harden was acquired and then suddenly become a Harden ONLY fan, did they suddenly not like the team? (only exception would be if the poster joined as a Thunders fan to talk on here earlier)
In the end I really don't care what his defense is like during the regular season. As long as in the playoffs he turns his defensive intensity up and plays like it. T-Mac often played lackadaisical defense during the regular season. But during the playoffs he often guarded the other team's best player and did well at it. Superior athletes with height always have the potential to play great defense. I'd rather Harden not burn himself out during the regular season going 150% on offense and defense.
The whole LOF LOH and now HOF is insanely immature, if people follow the team or a member of our team and spend there valuable time on this website reading threads, posting etc then they should be welcomed. Not mocked and given a name, grow up.
Remember when Kobe was praising him after he shut him down offensively? (slight exaggeration on praising but he was saying he was impressed)
James Harden averages just under 2 steals per game, not so bad. You got to understand Harden played with some of the best defenses in the game when he was with OKC. OKC help defense was amazing. Ya you blew by Harden got stopped by ibaka at the rim, and now a long outlet pass to Harden for a wide open DUNK. Let the guards go through IMO, except for Tony parker lol, do what ever you can to get him out of the paint. Our help defense is getting alot better. Harden will thrive imo sagging off from slashers.
Rocketscast was talking about Harden's D today on the show. They quoted Sampson as saying "Harden has improved tremendously on defense, but he still has a long ways to go."
I wouldn't say he sucks, it is just that he doesn't give a lot of effort to play defense throughout the game, especially when compared to his offense.
