Harden’s kind of game is basketball being played the wrong way.
In TSC’s corner of the digital world, readers can only read my words and not see my face. Maybe that’s a good thing! If you could see my face, you’d see a grown man shaking his head from side-to-side.
I’m doing that as a sports fan, specifically an NBA sports fan.
Try as I might, I’m mystified by what goes on sometimes in the NBA.
For example, everyone loves long-distance three-pointers, high-flying slam dunks, and high-scoring games. But sometimes they make for ugly basketball–as difficult as that concept might be for the casual fan to digest.
Case in point: I love James Harden, and think he’s an incredible talent. But his play angers me at times. And I’m not alone! Over the past couple of weeks, several NBA elites have shared negative opinions about Harden’s scoring streak. But other analysts and many fans are marveling over Harden’s streak.
But, let’s make one thing clear: it’s not an assist streak, a blocks streak, or winning streak. It’s a scoring streak. And that point of emphasis underscores my belief that Harden’s kind of game is basketball being played the wrong way.
How so? In the mid-’90s Charles Barkley starred in a Nike commercial. Barkley begins the commercial by saying, “Any knucklehead can score!”
I used that statement as the foundation of my game, and it’s what I teach kids, including my son, about the game. It’s still how I feel about the game, too, and it’s why I have a problem with Harden’s style of play.
Although Harden is averaging almost eight assists per game, please look at his shooting percentage and the number of shots he takes each game.
Yes, he passes when he’s double or triple-teamed. But sometimes he won’t pass and, instead, he’ll take that awful stepback or sidestep three. Harden tries to justify his approach by saying that his style of play is needed if the Rockets are to have success.
I don’t agree with that statement, and I don’t even believe it’s true!
Just last week, Hall of Famers Scottie Pippen, Tracy McGrady, and the great Kobe Bryant, all agreed that Harden’s style of play is not championship basketball. He dominates the basketball on almost every possession, dribbles (on average) for about 18-20 seconds each time down the court, and shoots around 15 three-pointers per game.
It’s not unusual to watch Harden’s teammates stand and watch his one-man show! I mean there’s Darryl Morey (a guy the team traded for) and Chris Paul (with a max contract) as spectators!
Last Thursday night’s game against the undermanned Los Angeles Lakers tells you all you need to know. LAL stormed back from a 19-point deficit to defeat the Rockets. Want more? On February 11th, OKC beat the Rockets in Houston … after trailing by 26 points!
Harden needs to involve his teammates. It’s the ticket to more wins. Yes, James, please sacrifice your scoring streak! The streak is all about you, the soloist, not about your team. Besides, it’s not a viable option.
Yes, there’s a time and a place for solo performances on the basketball court. It’s during a dunk contest or three-point shootout. But what Hardin does is play solo-ball night after night after night.
Michael Jordan once told the late, great Jerry Krause that there isn’t an “i” in team, but there is an “i” in win.
Harden has never been to the NBA Finals since leaving OKC. It’s time for him to pay heed to Jordan’s words.
