Once upon a time Beard was a 4th quarter ASSASSIN, Right?

he seems far more willing to settle for an off the dribble three after draining most of the shot clock these days, and his 3 point shooting is regressing

14-15 was the best version of Harden...better jump shot, tighter handle, quicker, more athletic, better shot selection

 

14/15 Harden was otherworldly. I think he had 7 game winners that year.

I agree to a majority of things you've said but if I recall correctly, James took way more mid range shots that year.

His shot selection has been groomed even more so the past couple seasons to shoot a three, take a layup or pass to someone who can do the aforementioned things.

I think that's a big difference between James now and then. Also, he's been out of shape a bit here and there and has lost a step athletically.

However, James still has a killer instinct and more often than not will make the right decision. (See last nights game.

 

100% agreed. I'd also add that his defense overall was better, or maybe just more consistent.

 

Definitely agree that 14-15 Harden was the best, especially in late game situations. He single handedly pulled so many wins out of his ass it was ridiculous. Just in attack mode all the time, relentless. Didn't shoot nearly as many 3s that year.

I'm fine with his play so far this year. He had one really bad close against Memphis, but otherwise he's been good. He made a great decision to pass off to Gordon on that last play last night. I think having CP3 back will help him close game as well.

 

No, it's further proof ESPN is brainwashing the fans

And this is knote32, who watches WAY too much Harden.Think of the other fans who only read ESPN's game recap last night that didn't mention Harden, instead of the game.

1:42 Ben Simmons bad pass (James Harden steals) 96 - 104
1:13 JJ Redick misses 25-foot three point jumper 97 - 104
1:03 Clint Capela makes alley oop layup (James Harden assists) 99 - 104
0:38 JJ Redick misses 26-foot three point jumper 99 - 104
0:30 James Harden makes driving layup 101 - 104
0:30 Joel Embiid defensive goaltending violation 101 - 104
0:30 JJ Redick shooting foul 101 - 104
0:30 James Harden makes free throw 1 of 1 102 - 104
0:06 shot clock turnover 102 - 104
0:05 James Harden blocks Jerryd Bayless 's 12-foot jumper 102 - 104
0:01 Eric Gordon makes 24-foot three point jumper (James Harden assists) 105 - 104

 

You know what’s crazy? Go look at espns replay of Gordon’s game winner. It’s literally only comments about how harden fouled Embiid or wasn’t man enough to take the shot. The hate is so real.

Realistically, a foul could’ve and probably should’ve been called on each of the 3 defenders that came into contact with Harden. But alas, all he did was all he does. Play extremely efficient basketball, setup his teammate for the win and celebrated in his success.

**** anyone who doesn’t think that’s what’s happened because that’s what happened. His initial defender is holding him, the 2nd hacks him and pushes him towards Embiid and Embiid is blocking. Go watch it again. 3 fouls but people just see harden and let the lies roll.

Oh and by the way, great shot Eric.

 

You are spot on, I figured it was partly conditioning and thus tired at the end, but it’s mental and our strategy. Finally someone who truly acknowledges how Harden indeed used the midrange way more.

 

i honestly haven't seen harden in better shape and more committed to defense than so far this season.

go figure

 

Jimmy

 

This. He is DEFINITELY in better shape and is far more attentive on defense. The problem is we are still learning how to play smart with the strategy of 3s and layups. That's a recipe to tilt a team's favor in the win column overall for the course of an entire game, but inside of the last 5 minutes of a close game when every point counts, there aren't enough possessions left for that strategy to be successful. It makes sense if we are down by a lot(increase variance), but if we are up or in a close game with limited possessions left to win, you have to be willing to abandon the strategy and take the best available shot. That's the difference between the well coached Golden States and San Antonios of the world and Houston(not that D'Antoni is a scrub, but he isn't Pops). 3s and layups is a long term strategy which is why we struggle in close games when we need short term results. That sounds silly after we just won a game on a last second 3 but that happened to be a good look for Gordon that happened to go in.

 

No, it’s not. That’s one game. Harden has not been the closer he was in 14-15. Last 2 years he has seemed more tentative, settle for shots and not performing well under pressure, though Game 6 of Clippers series was pretty bad. Still there’s a clear difference. This year, let’s hope last night is the Harden we will see in the 4th all the time.

 

Harden saved McHale's ass and Lin to a lesser extent so much that year smh....Yeah 14 harden was unconsciously clutch. Hard to replicate that. Mostly off jumpers too. He does need to get back to his Mid range jumper as it was his bread and butter. He used to take and make so much but this offense got him away form that.

 

That's one game, in a season where 5 games have been played... Are we also forgetting the big shots that he has taken to close the lead against the warriors in the 4th this season?

Here are just a few from last season.











I can put money that in the next 2 close games that the Rockets play, that Harden will be making some big plays down the stretch (under 2 minutes to play). As heypartner says, stop looking at what ESPN feeds you and actually watch the games. Is there a big difference between hitting the very last shot of the game to win the game, or hitting the 2-3 consecutive shots in crunch time to seal the game? Was James Harden's And-1 shot against Embiid yesterday any less valuable than Gordon's game winner?

 

(nuggets must hate this guy lol)




(poor Derozan)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRhHM-257mE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfKXTBuj1MQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QgPszT6iG0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xST4hiuI8vg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BydksFs9uuI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rGXaIPvoI0&t=124s


Unfreakin real. and i missed a few as well

 

If there is any comfort, the official "clutch time stats" of Harden and Westbrook last season (who many would proclaim was incredibly clutch last season) have them both sharing practically the same TS%, with Westbrook slightly ahead by a difference of 1 TS%.

 

A couple points.

• In okc whilst off the bench, he wasnt the defenses focus. Thus he was able to attack lesser defenders because Durant and Westbrook drew the priority.
  • Side note about this, Miami decided to focus on Harden in the finals and lock him down. Not Durant, not Westbrook, but harden. Shutting harden down is the reason I believe okc lost.
• That 14-15 year, he had one of the most clutch seasons of ALL TIME. A lot of it had to due with his new fancy mid-range step back (sup @OTMax ). He was otherworldly and phenomenal that year, especially with that go to move
  • I will admit, I'm all for 3s and layups and not a fan of midrange unless your elite and that's all the defense gives you. That being said, I have always held steadfast in the belief; that at end of game situations of a tightly scored contest, mid range and it's higher 'probability' of going in is more important than points per shot efficiency, aka the contested 3 (hello e-god from last night)
• Being tired and worn out at end of games and sloppy play, absolutely is a direct correlation from constant defensive focus and hacking he faces all game long and all season long, imo. Tell me another player other than lebron who constantly drives drives drives drawing as much contact as he does, while being the primary focus on defense all game while constantly being trapped and double teamed. It's difficult, and he gets sloppy and tired and lazy but if he didn't he would be like lebron, which is ridiculous to ask for

 

He was the king of the step back in that season. Slowly lost that shot. now he does step back threes which are inconsistent as hell