[BigDParticipant]

 Does Harden play any defense at all?

I’ve just tuned into the Blazers at Rockets matchup.

First he lets Lillard blow by him without trying.

He gives Matthews two uncontested jumpers in the paint, then doesn’t box out or even attempt to get the ball.

His flop against Alridge on the fast break gave up another wide open dunk.

 

It’s interesting because the rest of the starters actually give good effort defensively, and it’s so noticeable his lack of effort.

[Scott42444Participant]

 I watched a video today that showed 11 minutes straight of Harden playing no defense.  I’ll try to find it but it was on the NBA News section of the Bleacher Report feed so after all the action today it might have been pushed out.  That’s pretty terrible, even though he is a primary scorer (which means his defense is allowed to suffer a bit, so that he doesn’t get tired or accumulate too many fouls).

[Scott42444Participant]

 I watched a video today that showed 11 minutes straight of Harden playing no defense.  I’ll try to find it but it was on the NBA News section of the Bleacher Report feed so after all the action today it might have been pushed out.  That’s pretty terrible, even though he is a primary scorer (which means his defense is allowed to suffer a bit, so that he doesn’t get tired or accumulate too many fouls).

[doubledribblerParticipant]

He gives absolutely no effort on defense. It is sickening. In my opinion it also hurts his credibility as one of the top players. It is one thing not to be a good defender, it is another to not to even try. It hurts your team. He also doesn’t get the pass in my opinion of having to carry this huge offensive load. He is a big part of their offense, but it’s not like they don’t have other guys that can put the ball in the basket.

It reminded me of a guy I played with during a dysfunctional year / coach went brain dead season in high school. He could put up 20, but he would give up at least 30 and that was with him guarding the worst perimeter player. He would also literally run to the other side of the court as soon as a shot went up while everyone else was still rebounding and trying to play defense.

[doubledribblerParticipant]

He gives absolutely no effort on defense. It is sickening. In my opinion it also hurts his credibility as one of the top players. It is one thing not to be a good defender, it is another to not to even try. It hurts your team. He also doesn’t get the pass in my opinion of having to carry this huge offensive load. He is a big part of their offense, but it’s not like they don’t have other guys that can put the ball in the basket.

It reminded me of a guy I played with during a dysfunctional year / coach went brain dead season in high school. He could put up 20, but he would give up at least 30 and that was with him guarding the worst perimeter player. He would also literally run to the other side of the court as soon as a shot went up while everyone else was still rebounding and trying to play defense.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 Finally someone dissects him to find a flaw that’s major. One is so quick to be enamored by his offensive prowess that they get blindsided to what’s more important. Offense isn’t everything especially to me per se.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

 Finally someone dissects him to find a flaw that’s major. One is so quick to be enamored by his offensive prowess that they get blindsided to what’s more important. Offense isn’t everything especially to me per se.

[Rip255]

This is stupid. He is instructed to be an offensive minded player. His job is to cherry-pick, gamble on steals and avoid foul trouble. He has Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley to pick up the slack. The result…

The guy scores 25.5 points, attacks the rim relentlessly, throws in 5 rebs, 6 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He plays 38 minutes. The Rockets play at the fastest pace of any playoff team. 

If he rests a little on defense whilst Howard has his back for rim protection to enable that production, the Rockets will still come out ahead more often than not. 

[Rip255]

This is stupid. He is instructed to be an offensive minded player. His job is to cherry-pick, gamble on steals and avoid foul trouble. He has Dwight Howard and Patrick Beverley to pick up the slack. The result…

The guy scores 25.5 points, attacks the rim relentlessly, throws in 5 rebs, 6 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He plays 38 minutes. The Rockets play at the fastest pace of any playoff team. 

If he rests a little on defense whilst Howard has his back for rim protection to enable that production, the Rockets will still come out ahead more often than not. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

How about when his offense isn’t going and the other team is shutting him down, somewhat. Should he still not be playing any defense ?

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

How about when his offense isn’t going and the other team is shutting him down, somewhat. Should he still not be playing any defense ?

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 This is the first time I’ve seen all 5 players on the court for a team wear black tights. 

Everyone on the Houston Rockets team got black leg tights on.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 This is the first time I’ve seen all 5 players on the court for a team wear black tights. 

Everyone on the Houston Rockets team got black leg tights on.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 I think the most interesting thing was when he had a ISO play at the top of the key and showed off his dribbling skills by crossing over and going between the legs many times, leading to him driving to the basket and making a tough layup look easy for him.

Then the Blazers took the ball up the court and Wesley Matthews cut back door for a wide open lay up while Harden didn’t move a inch.

[rileymcshea3Participant]

 I think the most interesting thing was when he had a ISO play at the top of the key and showed off his dribbling skills by crossing over and going between the legs many times, leading to him driving to the basket and making a tough layup look easy for him.

Then the Blazers took the ball up the court and Wesley Matthews cut back door for a wide open lay up while Harden didn’t move a inch.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 That method may give the Rockets an advantage more often than not in the regular season. More often representing 54 Houston wins, not representing 28 losses. But in the playoffs he will play all the teams under the "not" category. He better start playing defence.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 That method may give the Rockets an advantage more often than not in the regular season. More often representing 54 Houston wins, not representing 28 losses. But in the playoffs he will play all the teams under the "not" category. He better start playing defence.

[mini_marzParticipant]

 Honestly you clearly pay no attention to how pathetic his defense is. I understand your the main weapon on offence and must conserve some energy but he put absolutely no effort in defense whatsoever and after watching that 11 minute video of his defense it looks like his defensive iq has to be one of the lowest I’ve ever seen not to mention everytime his man goes back door on him he just looks at someone else and points. Being a true superstar in the NBA requires you to play both sides of the ball. Nobody expects him to lock down the best player on the other team but he routinely gets beat by guys that are last option on their teams and gives no effort at all. Can’t rely on Howard to cover up all your mistakes

 

[mini_marzParticipant]

 Honestly you clearly pay no attention to how pathetic his defense is. I understand your the main weapon on offence and must conserve some energy but he put absolutely no effort in defense whatsoever and after watching that 11 minute video of his defense it looks like his defensive iq has to be one of the lowest I’ve ever seen not to mention everytime his man goes back door on him he just looks at someone else and points. Being a true superstar in the NBA requires you to play both sides of the ball. Nobody expects him to lock down the best player on the other team but he routinely gets beat by guys that are last option on their teams and gives no effort at all. Can’t rely on Howard to cover up all your mistakes

 

[mini_marzParticipant]

 Here is the link for hardens "defense"

http://youtu.be/wVYJULACcao

[mini_marzParticipant]

 Here is the link for hardens "defense"

http://youtu.be/wVYJULACcao

[Mad MaxParticipant]

Lol that was hilarious, he literally doesn’t move – just reaches, goes for a pump fake, doesn’t contest, doesn’t box out. Pretty much just stands there.

It’s actually quite repulsive, if I were his teammate I’d loose my mind, I’d probably call him out bc I don’t care how good you are on offense, you’re not giving any effort on defense. If I were the coach, I’d sit his ass until he actually gives some effort on defense.

I’m shocked Lin hasn’t snapped for having McHale always benching him for Hardens mistakes. Hardens is so bad on defense he let Luke Babbitt have a career night.

[Mad MaxParticipant]

Lol that was hilarious, he literally doesn’t move – just reaches, goes for a pump fake, doesn’t contest, doesn’t box out. Pretty much just stands there.

It’s actually quite repulsive, if I were his teammate I’d loose my mind, I’d probably call him out bc I don’t care how good you are on offense, you’re not giving any effort on defense. If I were the coach, I’d sit his ass until he actually gives some effort on defense.

I’m shocked Lin hasn’t snapped for having McHale always benching him for Hardens mistakes. Hardens is so bad on defense he let Luke Babbitt have a career night.

[XYRYXParticipant]

 Damn I justed watched this and really can’t believe it. He has absolutely no clue where his man is most of the time or does he understand how an offensive oponent is moving in a rotation. It’s not only his effort which is shockingly poor but also the fact that he seems to be really lost out there. This combined with the fact that he just is completely lazy moving on the court. 

It really is somehow crazy who easy he gets buckets on the offensive end and how good he is at going to the line and drawing fouls. In the 2014/15 season out of 611 listed players he is 5th to last with 2.9 miles per 48 mins! That’s really shocking to me, never realised how lazy is moving on the court at all. Only significant player below him is Paul Pierce, the other players listed played a combined 4 games this season so I think this is a pretty realstic measurement to me. #

 Link: stats.nba.com/playerTrackingSpeed.html

I know Harden playes 38 mins per game what is a lot but there is no excuse to effort when you’re almost dead last in the league when it comes to the will and maybe even condition of how you hustle in this 38 minutes, smh. You have to take into account that per game his distance travaled is not so bad and the same level as Divid Est, DeAndre Jordan, because he is one of only a few players who plays this heavy minutes but honestly this is exposting his lazyness even more. 

Top 6 btw are Parsons, Butler, Batum(!), MCW, DeRozan, Hayward, Deng, Curry, Dragic, Lillard, KD, Kemba, Young, Beal, Wall, Kyrie, Korver(!), Noah, Mathews (in that order) 

 

[XYRYXParticipant]

 Damn I justed watched this and really can’t believe it. He has absolutely no clue where his man is most of the time or does he understand how an offensive oponent is moving in a rotation. It’s not only his effort which is shockingly poor but also the fact that he seems to be really lost out there. This combined with the fact that he just is completely lazy moving on the court. 

It really is somehow crazy who easy he gets buckets on the offensive end and how good he is at going to the line and drawing fouls. In the 2014/15 season out of 611 listed players he is 5th to last with 2.9 miles per 48 mins! That’s really shocking to me, never realised how lazy is moving on the court at all. Only significant player below him is Paul Pierce, the other players listed played a combined 4 games this season so I think this is a pretty realstic measurement to me. #

 Link: stats.nba.com/playerTrackingSpeed.html

I know Harden playes 38 mins per game what is a lot but there is no excuse to effort when you’re almost dead last in the league when it comes to the will and maybe even condition of how you hustle in this 38 minutes, smh. You have to take into account that per game his distance travaled is not so bad and the same level as Divid Est, DeAndre Jordan, because he is one of only a few players who plays this heavy minutes but honestly this is exposting his lazyness even more. 

Top 6 btw are Parsons, Butler, Batum(!), MCW, DeRozan, Hayward, Deng, Curry, Dragic, Lillard, KD, Kemba, Young, Beal, Wall, Kyrie, Korver(!), Noah, Mathews (in that order) 

 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 The only thing James Harden is doing is gunning 3’s. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 The only thing James Harden is doing is gunning 3’s. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Wow, James Harden completely gave up on that fastbreak dunk from Mathews. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

Wow, James Harden completely gave up on that fastbreak dunk from Mathews. 

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 You gotta give it to him though. Harden is a getting fouled expert.

[For_Never_EverParticipant]

 You gotta give it to him though. Harden is a getting fouled expert.

[thricethefunParticipant]

The crowd chanting MVP for Harden tonight was hilarious. MVP for a guy that just stands there on defense and is the biggest flopper in the league?

[thricethefunParticipant]

The crowd chanting MVP for Harden tonight was hilarious. MVP for a guy that just stands there on defense and is the biggest flopper in the league?

[Lotto StudParticipant]

This thread couldn’t have came at a better time. Now let’s pick apart his selfish egotistical style of play that hurts his teammates in clutch situations.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

This thread couldn’t have came at a better time. Now let’s pick apart his selfish egotistical style of play that hurts his teammates in clutch situations.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 The "best" two guard in the game should play both ends of the floor.  MJ did it, Kobe did it.  Not only should he play both ends of the floor, but he should WANT to play both ends of the floor.  The best player on the team can’t be purely an offensive player as James Harden is.  I also cannot stand the way he flops, everything about his game rubs me the wrong way.  Man up.  Defense is the other half of the game.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 The "best" two guard in the game should play both ends of the floor.  MJ did it, Kobe did it.  Not only should he play both ends of the floor, but he should WANT to play both ends of the floor.  The best player on the team can’t be purely an offensive player as James Harden is.  I also cannot stand the way he flops, everything about his game rubs me the wrong way.  Man up.  Defense is the other half of the game.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

He rested during the regular season on defense because he had to play a very hard offense and because he knew is team was stacked and the regular season wasn’t very important. His team got 54 wins with him playing the worst defense in the league. It is okay to get on Harden for his defense, because it was absolutely terrible this season (and it has been bad from time to time in the past). But his offense is amazing and he works much harder on that side than anyone in the league. No one else attacks the basket as consistently and plays at as high a pace for as many minutes. I suspect he sometimes looks at other 2Guards like D. Wade and wonders why he "rests" on offense so much. 

He played much better defense yesterday, though still not great. But he competed a lot more than normal. He clearly has a switch here where he dials in one level of effort for the regular seasona and another for the playoffs.

The Rockets lost due to them not getting any free throws and Howard and Asik picking up tons of fouls. I don’t expect that to happen again this series.  

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

He rested during the regular season on defense because he had to play a very hard offense and because he knew is team was stacked and the regular season wasn’t very important. His team got 54 wins with him playing the worst defense in the league. It is okay to get on Harden for his defense, because it was absolutely terrible this season (and it has been bad from time to time in the past). But his offense is amazing and he works much harder on that side than anyone in the league. No one else attacks the basket as consistently and plays at as high a pace for as many minutes. I suspect he sometimes looks at other 2Guards like D. Wade and wonders why he "rests" on offense so much. 

He played much better defense yesterday, though still not great. But he competed a lot more than normal. He clearly has a switch here where he dials in one level of effort for the regular seasona and another for the playoffs.

The Rockets lost due to them not getting any free throws and Howard and Asik picking up tons of fouls. I don’t expect that to happen again this series.  

[SpaceghostParticipant]

I talked about James Harden’s a few months ago not even lack of D its flat out lack of Effort on D.  I got negged crazy for my comments. Its crazy that people call him the best 2 guard in the game..WHY ?  Better than Wade  even an old wade is better than Harden! What good is it if you Score 30 and you man score 25. Its a wash!.. harden will never be elite until he at least trys to play some D. And im very Surprised that Kevin Mchale has not called him out on this. He does not guard his man.. does not help  no rotation  nothing.. he just stands and trys to jump the lanes for steals. Its embrassing to watch. DUDE above me said he played much better on D last night.. That is comical.  I see alot of bloggers are impressed with 8-28 from the field

[SpaceghostParticipant]

I talked about James Harden’s a few months ago not even lack of D its flat out lack of Effort on D.  I got negged crazy for my comments. Its crazy that people call him the best 2 guard in the game..WHY ?  Better than Wade  even an old wade is better than Harden! What good is it if you Score 30 and you man score 25. Its a wash!.. harden will never be elite until he at least trys to play some D. And im very Surprised that Kevin Mchale has not called him out on this. He does not guard his man.. does not help  no rotation  nothing.. he just stands and trys to jump the lanes for steals. Its embrassing to watch. DUDE above me said he played much better on D last night.. That is comical.  I see alot of bloggers are impressed with 8-28 from the field

[OhCanada-Participant]

 If Harden isnt the best SG who is. Derozan was a complete no show in game one, and Wade average 16ppg lastb playoffs and 19ppg in 50 games thisbyear.

[OhCanada-Participant]

 If Harden isnt the best SG who is. Derozan was a complete no show in game one, and Wade average 16ppg lastb playoffs and 19ppg in 50 games thisbyear.

[Andrew1984Participant]

While I am in no way disagreeing with the notion that his defensive effort is pitiful, most of his detractors would probably still welcome him on their team, if given the opportunity.

[SpaceghostParticipant]

No doubt Harden would be welcomed on anyteam.. But not at the money he is making or the "Elite" the rockets is" his" team theory.  Harden is best suited for the role he played in OKC.. OFF THE BENCH SCORER.. 

[SpaceghostParticipant]

No doubt Harden would be welcomed on anyteam.. But not at the money he is making or the "Elite" the rockets is" his" team theory.  Harden is best suited for the role he played in OKC.. OFF THE BENCH SCORER.. 

[Andrew1984Participant]

While I am in no way disagreeing with the notion that his defensive effort is pitiful, most of his detractors would probably still welcome him on their team, if given the opportunity.

[Author]

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