Again, the KINGS lost another game because they can’t stretch together enough defensive stops. Although admittedly that is tougher to do when the NBA won’t allow defense to be played on their ‘stars’. Several times De’Aaon Fox played great pressure defense on Harden but he gets bailed out by a bogus foul. It’s the one thing that has always soured me on this league.
Regarding Harden, people can argue with me all they want but he continues to be among the most overrated (and unwatchable) players in the league IMO. ESPN and NBATV are undoubtedly raving about his 50/11/10 today because it looks and sounds extraordinary. But is it really?
How hard is it to score 50 when hoisting up 23 three point attempts and 31 shots over all? Oh, and being gifted most of the 18 FT attempts he had?? 13/31 and 7/23 is by no means ‘extraordinary’. I often believe he hurts his team with all those misses and the likes of Eric Gordon, Chris Paul, and Clint Capela help overcome with their better efficiency. I’d argue that’s what happened today. That, and the BS foul calls they gift to him.
Say what you want, but 7/23 from three is ridiculous. And he has games like that a lot. His career and season average of 36% from three is by no means elite. He’s purely a volume shooter and scorer — one that’s taken that tactic to a new level.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, take away the completely bogus 3rd and 4th steps he consistently gets away with to get to his spots not only on the perimeter but going to the basket AND the largely bogus foul call he draws and he’s nowhere close to a special player.
The NBA has always featured ‘star’ treatment, but the level of it has ramped up in the past decade. Even Kobe Bryant didn’t get the level of calls Harden does. Not even close, and he was babied by the league too. By far, Harden gets away with extra steps more than any player I’ve ever seen play in the league the past 35 years.
In the end, Harden and his team are successful in the regular season, but when they face other star studded teams in the playoffs — that’s where the shooting inefficiency really costs Houston. CP3 really helps to balance things out for them, but will it ever be enough? I guess we’ll see if CP3 can stay healthy.
Regardless, I’ll never be a believer in Harden’s game or a fan of watching it. I want my teams to win as much as the next fan. But not at the expense of watching a player like a Harden. That’s just not for me. And, w/o the bailout star treatment, I firmly believe it’s not a championship brand of basketball. It still might not be with it.
<end rant>