[Lotto StudParticipant]

PLEASE, STOP! Please, stop praising this guy as an elite superstar player. I do not care how skilled he is offensively. He is someone no aspiring athlete should want to study film on if it’s on a positive search. James "F#ck Defense" Harden

[BasketBalAllanParticipant]

 I think we are both going to get thumbs downed like crazy, but I agree.

[BasketBalAllanParticipant]

 I think we are both going to get thumbs downed like crazy, but I agree.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

[Lotto StudParticipant]

[prophetmeirParticipant]

If you honestly feel that way, than steph curry, melo, kyrie,kevin love should not either there defense is not more so i dont give a fack, but its terrible none the less

[prophetmeirParticipant]

If you honestly feel that way, than steph curry, melo, kyrie,kevin love should not either there defense is not more so i dont give a fack, but its terrible none the less

[SpaceghostParticipant]

James Harden was exposed several season ago for me.. Not being a good defender and not even trying to play defense is too different things. James Harden is the latter.. It embrassing to see. With that said.. Seems like Kyrie and K Love are now being exposed.. When u just score on sorry teams the defensive part gets left out. But they both are awful on-ball and help defenders.   AT least MELO trys every third or forth game. 

[SpaceghostParticipant]

James Harden was exposed several season ago for me.. Not being a good defender and not even trying to play defense is too different things. James Harden is the latter.. It embrassing to see. With that said.. Seems like Kyrie and K Love are now being exposed.. When u just score on sorry teams the defensive part gets left out. But they both are awful on-ball and help defenders.   AT least MELO trys every third or forth game. 

[prophetmeirParticipant]

melo guards the worst offensive player on the opposing team no matter if its  a big men or guard lol

[prophetmeirParticipant]

melo guards the worst offensive player on the opposing team no matter if its  a big men or guard lol

[King CaluchaParticipant]

Actually Melo was decent defending PF’s one-on-one a couple of seasons ago. Then he just disappeared. I always say it’s a matter of trying.

As for James Harden… he just doesn’t care… but when he does he’s actually decent (average, in other words).

 

[King CaluchaParticipant]

Actually Melo was decent defending PF’s one-on-one a couple of seasons ago. Then he just disappeared. I always say it’s a matter of trying.

As for James Harden… he just doesn’t care… but when he does he’s actually decent (average, in other words).

 

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Has the video footage show up for you all? I’m having difficulty on my end embedding the clip.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

Has the video footage show up for you all? I’m having difficulty on my end embedding the clip.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC53cIJC_00

[Lotto StudParticipant]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AC53cIJC_00

[TimeForNineParticipant]

 The stats would say otherwise. Let’s look at Harden vs. Lebron (all stats via basketball-reference.com)

Harden: 25.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.9bpg, 4.2 TO, 40.1 FG%, 34% 3pt%, 90%, FT%

Harden advanced stats: 24.6 PER, 58.1 true shooting %, 2.9 win shares (1.8 offensive, 1.1 defensive), 115 offensive rating, 97 defensive rating (best of his career, the lower the defensive rating the better)

LeBron: 25 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.8 bpg, 3.8 TO, 47.1 FG%, 40% 3pt%, 77.7 FT%

LeBron advanced stats: 24.2 PER, 57.3 true shooting %, 1.8 win shares (1.4 offensive, 0.4 defensive), 112 offensive rating, 107 defensive rating

The stats would show that Harden is definitely elite, and his defensive rating and win shares are on pace to shatter his career averages, indicating improvement on defense. Harden also is leading the Rockets to a top three record in the West (without Howard, Jones, and Beverley in a number of games), while LeBron is sub .500 in the East with Irving and Love.

Harden gets a lot of hate for the videos showcasing his lack of effort on defense, but if you’ve watched any Rockets games this year, you can see the improvement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TimeForNineParticipant]

 The stats would say otherwise. Let’s look at Harden vs. Lebron (all stats via basketball-reference.com)

Harden: 25.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 6.6 apg, 1.8 spg, 0.9bpg, 4.2 TO, 40.1 FG%, 34% 3pt%, 90%, FT%

Harden advanced stats: 24.6 PER, 58.1 true shooting %, 2.9 win shares (1.8 offensive, 1.1 defensive), 115 offensive rating, 97 defensive rating (best of his career, the lower the defensive rating the better)

LeBron: 25 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 7.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.8 bpg, 3.8 TO, 47.1 FG%, 40% 3pt%, 77.7 FT%

LeBron advanced stats: 24.2 PER, 57.3 true shooting %, 1.8 win shares (1.4 offensive, 0.4 defensive), 112 offensive rating, 107 defensive rating

The stats would show that Harden is definitely elite, and his defensive rating and win shares are on pace to shatter his career averages, indicating improvement on defense. Harden also is leading the Rockets to a top three record in the West (without Howard, Jones, and Beverley in a number of games), while LeBron is sub .500 in the East with Irving and Love.

Harden gets a lot of hate for the videos showcasing his lack of effort on defense, but if you’ve watched any Rockets games this year, you can see the improvement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[GBeeParticipant]

 pretty much. harden is actually playing defense this yr.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/11/23/7271125/james-harden-defense-improvement-houston-rockets OP can kindly STFU with his annoying ass thread title.

[GBeeParticipant]

 pretty much. harden is actually playing defense this yr.

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2014/11/23/7271125/james-harden-defense-improvement-houston-rockets OP can kindly STFU with his annoying ass thread title.

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

[OhCanada-Participant]

I think he was trying to foul in that gif but its still hilarious. I think James saw the videos blasting him because he seems to be giving more effort on the defensive end this year. Either way its undisputed that he is byfar the best SG offensively in the NBA.  Im willing to say he is the best SG in the league, tier two would be Thompson, Butler, and Derozan and tier three would be Wade and Kobe just due to wear and tear or age. Although out of the whole group if I was the fourth qaurter in game 7 of the Finals I would rather have a healthy Kobe or D.Wade than the latter.

[OhCanada-Participant]

I think he was trying to foul in that gif but its still hilarious. I think James saw the videos blasting him because he seems to be giving more effort on the defensive end this year. Either way its undisputed that he is byfar the best SG offensively in the NBA.  Im willing to say he is the best SG in the league, tier two would be Thompson, Butler, and Derozan and tier three would be Wade and Kobe just due to wear and tear or age. Although out of the whole group if I was the fourth qaurter in game 7 of the Finals I would rather have a healthy Kobe or D.Wade than the latter.

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

If that clip is from this year, the Rockets did win that game. Though only by about 6 points. 

His defense is bad, but his offense is so ridiculously good yes he is a super star.  I’d say Harden plays harder on offense than anyone else in the league. It takes a huge amount of effort to constantly attack and beat NBA defenders who know you are attacking off the dribble and then get to the free throw line. I think some of the bad defense is just that he is gassed or he is saving himself for the fourth quarter. 

In this highlight he is giving the foul, but it didn’t get called. He probably doesn’t respect the Knicks and sees them as an easy win anyway. 

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

If that clip is from this year, the Rockets did win that game. Though only by about 6 points. 

His defense is bad, but his offense is so ridiculously good yes he is a super star.  I’d say Harden plays harder on offense than anyone else in the league. It takes a huge amount of effort to constantly attack and beat NBA defenders who know you are attacking off the dribble and then get to the free throw line. I think some of the bad defense is just that he is gassed or he is saving himself for the fourth quarter. 

In this highlight he is giving the foul, but it didn’t get called. He probably doesn’t respect the Knicks and sees them as an easy win anyway. 

[nill650Participant]

stinky effort as usual

[nill650Participant]

stinky effort as usual

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

Hey, I play defense like that all the time. Of course I am near 50 though. LOL

[CU.LIONSParticipant]

Hey, I play defense like that all the time. Of course I am near 50 though. LOL

[MadDogParticipant]

Not that it excuses the lapses in effort, but he is actually is leading the league in defensive win shares right now. I think if you called out every player like people did Harden everyone would look bad, it’s just that people dislike Harden for some of the off court stuff he does as well. Like Curry and Lillard are probably worse defenders but they don’t go around calling their teammates role players.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

I actually don’t have any clue to what he is involved with off the court, besides this new commercial highlighting the fact that he does not play D.

[Lotto StudParticipant]

I actually don’t have any clue to what he is involved with off the court, besides this new commercial highlighting the fact that he does not play D.

[MadDogParticipant]

Not that it excuses the lapses in effort, but he is actually is leading the league in defensive win shares right now. I think if you called out every player like people did Harden everyone would look bad, it’s just that people dislike Harden for some of the off court stuff he does as well. Like Curry and Lillard are probably worse defenders but they don’t go around calling their teammates role players.

[tuck243Participant]

 That’s the issue…   He’s actually a decent defensive player he’s just doesn’t attempt to stay in front of anyone outside of a hand here and there…  He really was the reason they didn’t win vs the Blazers last year…  If he would’ve just tried the Rockets would’ve won IMO…

Melo is actually a decent defender most of it deals with how his teammates are defending…  It’s hard to maintain defensive intensity when Amare and (the worst defensive guard in the league) Tim Hardway Jr. isn’t playing a lick of team defense

[tuck243Participant]

 That’s the issue…   He’s actually a decent defensive player he’s just doesn’t attempt to stay in front of anyone outside of a hand here and there…  He really was the reason they didn’t win vs the Blazers last year…  If he would’ve just tried the Rockets would’ve won IMO…

Melo is actually a decent defender most of it deals with how his teammates are defending…  It’s hard to maintain defensive intensity when Amare and (the worst defensive guard in the league) Tim Hardway Jr. isn’t playing a lick of team defense

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

The Knicks found out that if you play Melo against a post-up PF that Melo plays pretty good D. One of his main problems is inconsistent attention and effort. But when you are getting posted up you can’t help by be aware. And since it is a very physical challenge that you are facing, I think Melo responded to that and played decent defense.

But now with Amare back and Bargs joining the team there seems less chance of playing Melo at the 4. Also his defense is not going to show up against a stretch 4. He will totally lose that type of guy at the three point line.  

[TallmanNYCParticipant]

The Knicks found out that if you play Melo against a post-up PF that Melo plays pretty good D. One of his main problems is inconsistent attention and effort. But when you are getting posted up you can’t help by be aware. And since it is a very physical challenge that you are facing, I think Melo responded to that and played decent defense.

But now with Amare back and Bargs joining the team there seems less chance of playing Melo at the 4. Also his defense is not going to show up against a stretch 4. He will totally lose that type of guy at the three point line.  

[apb540Participant]

James Harden is a superstar and the clear-cut best SG in the game right now (yes, I know Kobe’s healthy). Plus, how many guards that play 37+ mins a game as the team’s primary scorer and playmaker, also play Gary Payton-like defense? 

 

[OhCanada-Participant]

Just Westbrook and he only fits that criteria because Durant is injured.

[OhCanada-Participant]

Just Westbrook and he only fits that criteria because Durant is injured.

[apb540Participant]

James Harden is a superstar and the clear-cut best SG in the game right now (yes, I know Kobe’s healthy). Plus, how many guards that play 37+ mins a game as the team’s primary scorer and playmaker, also play Gary Payton-like defense? 

 

[Author]

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