https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYJULACcao just saying I'm really glad he's not a Blazer after watching this video. Maybe I was wrong and OKC was right to trade him.
That was posted a week ago before Game 1. I remember posting, I hope...well read it yourself. http://sportstwo.com/threads/261347-James-Harden-s-defense?p=3311813&viewfull=1#post3311813
The guy is only 24. He has all the ability in the world to play good defense. My guess is that he'll eventually learn.
You know, he was one of the pesky guys I hated when we played OKC. I remember him playing some solid D, at least for stretches, and making some nice plays on the defensive end. I'm not so sure he needs to learn to play D. I often feel it's that he just simply needs to care.
I disagree. Even the scouts knew. He may have been a decent college defender but that's it. Don't you actually have to care about Defense to do that? He also is terrible when it counts: He'll never be a good defender. Mark my words.
I really can't comprehend how someone can be bad at defense. Damian isn't very good but he tries at least and has givin' Harden some tough looks at times when he gets switched.
Whoever Harden is guarding should go right at him. Lillard, Matthews and Nico can all take Harden off the dribble and blow right by him.
Watching some of these lowlights, I'm thinking a give and go should be the easiest money on the court. He completely relaxes once his man gives up the ball. Just pass, wait like a half a second for him to relax, then cut backdoor for the easy basket.
ClutchFans have photo of Harden titled ZeroD. Jersey has "OD" for number. Can't seem to post photo, sorry.
at the 5:00 mark the announcer says " babbitt having a career night!" as babs blows by harden for a layup
My favorite part of his D or lack thereof is when a guy goes by him he stops entirely. Most guys try to recover, help, rotate, block or foul. He just freezes. And he watches WAY too much and forgets to cover
This is true. Harden does the wrap around poke trying to knock the ball away from behind, then stands flat footed and watches. No looking for a rebound, no rotation, no picking up the man of the guy who has to rotate over to Harden's man, just standing hoping for a rebound and a fast break basket of his own. Guys at the local YMCA wouldn't put up with that.
Hardens best defense is his offense. A team concerned about 'balancing' the equation (or even tilting it in your favor) needs to ensure that: Hardens Points < Points scored against Him Directly. I think the play call should be every time Harden scores we run it up quick and put the ball in the hands of whoever he is defending. Read and react but roll/spin/drive on him and if help comes hit the open cutter for a jam or go to the hole yourself. On his D, you have to watch out for the flop so make sure you have enough room to either go around or that he is backed down into the restricted area.
