Harden and defense

[H.C.]

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.

 

[jlprk]

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

 

[tlongII]

I never thought I'd see those two words in the same thread title.

 

[Eastoff]

I never thought I'd see those two words in the same thread title.

I have seen him called Ames Haren. No J and no D.

 

[maxiep]

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.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

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.

 

[dviss1]

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.

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:

Weaknesses: Ended the season with two very poor performances in the NCAA Tournament, which has unfairly taken some luster off of a great season (he faced zone defenses on both occasions and it forced him to play out of his comfort zone)… Does not posses the great size that many have at his position … His leaping ability and quickness are only marginal, which forces him into tough and contested drives and makes it hard for him to get by people … Even though he has worked on his drives going right, he is still not nearly as comfortable and effective as he needs to be … Defenders have a much easier time cutting of his driving lanes when he does go right … His midrange game will need to become more polished, his ability to make shots off the dribble before the helpside D rotates will be key … He has become turnover prone at 3.4 per game, but this is mostly a result of being asked to do too much…

His quickness and athleticism, while good wont stand out on the next level … A decent defender who doesn't gamble much, but his lack of great foot speed limits his ability as a lock down guy

He'll never be a good defender. Mark my words.

 

[dviss1]

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 literally LOL'd when I read this.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

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.

 

[The_Lillard_King]

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.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Clyde didn't play much defense. Just sayin.

 

[LuckyShot]

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.

 

[fugawibill]

ClutchFans have photo of Harden titled ZeroD. Jersey has "OD" for number. Can't seem to post photo, sorry.

 

[3RA1N1AC]

at the 5:00 mark the announcer says " babbitt having a career night!" as babs blows by harden for a layup

 

[RR7]

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

 

[tlongII]

Clyde didn't play much defense. Just sayin.

That's true, but Clyde did play the passing lanes. He got a lot of steals that led to fast breaks.

 

[BBert]

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.

 

[Prue]

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.