James Harden Is MANIPULATING NBA Defenses

You guys feel like no matter what we can't lose, we're getting there, we're going to be very, very hard to beat now, after hearing that, tell me that doesn't sound like a James Harden approach, a determined James Harden, a Harden who isn't worried about all the outside noise and is ready to win now after a season in which the 76ers didn't live up to what people expected and you could say part of that was because the duo, James Harden , Joel and B were really figuring out how to fit together, but now after some time together, I wouldn't necessarily say they have everything under control, but sitting in the fifth seat in the Eastern Conference, things are starting to look a lot better in Philly, many people traveled. of James Harden and said that he was done, that he can't lead the team, that he can't shoot anymore and that he disappears in the playoffs.

I mean, honestly, I've heard it all when it comes to slander about James Harden, now I'm not going to sit back. Here and I say that people are 100% wrong and that he doesn't deserve any of this because at times it seemed like some of these statements were valid, but I definitely think some people took it too far. Now let me paint the picture for you in 2018. In 2019, when Hardin was with the Rockets, he had the highest usage rate in the league at 40 percent and was miles ahead of everyone, with the next highest being Joyland beaten at 33 and when we looked at his assist percentage as well, Hardin was forced to come in. league at 39.5, so as you can see from the stats and what we saw from Harding on the court during this time, he was ball dominant, created the whole offensive basketball type of play style, now the best were great and entertaining when we saw Hardin score like crazy and present a story since that's what the Rockets needed from him, but then let's say you take Hardin completely out of that role and the system puts him next to another Superstar as well and tells him that distribute wealth much more and focus on achieving it.

His teammates got involved well, this is exactly what happened to Hardin in recent years and changing his role drastically could result in a long adjustment period in just a couple of years. You can see how much Hardin's usage rate has dropped and he's at 26 percent. Currently this season and you can see that his assist percentage is back up to what it was in the 1819 season with the Rockets as he is 45 right now. If you're one of those people who says, "forget all these numbers, talk about what?" Are you really trying to say? Well, basically what I'm saying is that Harden was handling a substantial amount of the offensive creation for this team, whether it was scoring for himself or setting up his teammates, and now he's taken a step back from creating for himself. same so much and being so dominant with the ball until now playing better as a team and focusing more on creating plays.

I like to call this the revised Harden and I know some people don't like the way Hardin plays now, but after a 20 and 20 performance against the Clippers in a nearly 30 and 13 outing on Christmas Day against the Knicks, it's time we talk about Hardin's game, as he has proven everyone who counted him wrong by making deliveries on time, whether by simply not looking at the corner when the defense helps. too far, easily collapse the defense with the dribble, drive penetration and then kick it for an open three-pointer or, if it's a more difficult pass, thread the needle between two Raptors defenders, Hardy can attack his teammates where and when the opening occurs.

He can't afford to run backwards without paying as much attention, he can get a pass down the field like a quarterback in a matter of seconds, and before you know it, Philly has already put two on guard while Siakum loses the ball trying to return it from Barnes Scotty just slowly backs up and Siakum has left the ball looking and then Harden just throws this past to Harris for him to hit it easily the same way James can just get the ball from a teammate or just grab it of the board himself. and floating this pass over the defense right on the money for Tobias is a thing of beauty.

Having the discipline to come back is important when it comes to playing Philadelphia, as you never know when Hardin will throw these passes, but even if you do. Sometimes the tightening is too good and can put him over two defenders for an easy layup. On the other end, you can see that it's a really quick decision and it's like Hardin is already focused on licking the floor for a galaxy-leaking teammate. the outlet pass is much quicker to move the ball up the court with the pass rather than pushing up yourself and we only see these full court dimes from a handful of guys around the league and, in particular, it's more of The Savvy's facilitating players, so that shows how difficult these passes really are, even if Hardin decides to push up the court himself, he's still in passing mode and that's when the cutting passes through The defense comes out and leaves the defense frozen, this makes things work for the Sixers and they activate.

Hardens Hawk Vision and if you thought this was the only way to make these passes harder on the court, then let me tell you, you are definitely wrong. Harding conditions for teammates in many ways, but I think people get caught up in thinking that you have to be a super flashy shepherd be a great point guard and that's why the heart happens on the court tends to overlook the reads simple ones like this where it comes off the screen so it beats at the right pace so tucker sets this back screen on siacom and then don't look at the corner hairs three definitely needs to be more appreciated some guards will come off the screen at 100 miles an hour and the game can't even develop or they come off the screen very lazy without intention that the defense can dictate everything that is going to happen, forgiveness is controlled offensively and now it is playing a game of chess and not checkers with the defense and with moves subtle has a big impact leading the NBA in assists per game with 11.1 Hardin has the highest points.

He created offices of almost 30 per game and also dished out 18.3 potential assists per game. Placing him second in the league, there is no denying his ability to find openings with his precise passing and you better be alert at all times because if the defense collapses. Hardin will then make them pay. I mean, look closely and just use NB's gravity to his advantage by staring at him like he's going to pass his house on the cut, but he sees Rozier coming and it's just a fake pass. he fully commits and James throws him into the corner for the easy three, these become fleeting, no joke as James can time the defense with his ability to get in and then make a pass to the open man, there's a lot going on. that come in on these passes and you have to make them quickly if you wait too long the defense could recover and also if you throw too high or too low the pass could be intercepted or fly through the hands of your teammates if you don't believe me, look how strong it is comes out.

Harrow's screen and when Demar moves to take away the pass, Hardin throws this pass just over PJ Tucker's Hands Across Court for the corner three and then when he comes out of the paint against the Kings instead of forcing this pass through the It is key to a possible play or maybe it ends in a robbery. Hardin sends it to Harris on the perimeter for a clean look. It's about making the game easy not only for yourself but also for your teammates and you want to try to do that. in the most simplistic way now, since it's not that Harden can't be a little flashy at times and add his own spice to his game.

No, I'm actually not saying that at all because we've all seen toughened withdrawal passes. which we didn't even think you could achieve when you see him draw the double and throw softly this has bounce instead of paint it shows you how skilled his passing is he used to be a very high pick and roll up top the break is very strong and could operate with a lot more space but now it's more springs and snow rolls so Harden can make these quick descents to embed, it's a perfect option for this duo because if they want to run fast then they just start high so they can both come down here with a lot of steam and that leads to a B down, then Harden is able to stop him off the screen, fake the pocket pass, which causes Barnes to lunge a little and then wrap him back. around and B for that pull-up Jumper, whatever option they choose Will is quite effective Hardin can play these pick and rolls well in passing the drop and that's what makes him so dangerous in these situations sometimes.

You'll even see the defense immediately double-toughen off the screen and it's just a quick behind-the-back to an open Maxi for the deep range 3. With all of these ways of getting the ball down the court, it makes it extremely difficult to slow down the offensive

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ing. when it comes to his playmaking skill set, because whatever you throw at him, he has the ability to find the opening, he's also one step ahead of the defense and has the perfect touch to hit his teammates where They like it, besides the excellent manner. Hardin is leading the 76er team in terms of facilitating their offensive scoring and is also on pace to be above his averages last season, putting up nearly 22 points on 37 shots from Deep in seven attempts and also connecting on 56 percent of his 34 mid-range attempts.

Arden has been pretty focused from the outside and is letting it rain when

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turn on the screen within the rhythm in the big spaces and drop well, allowing Harden to do these easy pull-ups in the middle area and instead of those steps back. We'll see from deep range where the heart is now baking defenders in that midrange. I would love to see Harden be more aggressive finding his open spaces to throw more midis, but I'm not sure if this offense provides that maybe hunting. for more aggressive shooting off screens or something will help, but I'm not sure for now that it won't be that big of an issue, but come playoff time, Arden will need to put up around 25 points a night or so and these easy means.

Range looks could definitely help a lot when combined with this gray spacing ability as he can drain them from deep, it opens up so many options for this team most three artists come from pull ups at 5.7 per set and he is hitting. they go down at a 38 pace, I mean we're watching Harden get up very comfortable from 30 feet grabbing his ankles before stepping back to time the am1 and shooting just over the defense despite the tough competition. Now is the time when we are going to return. to Old Harden uh no I don't really believe that but it shows you that Harden is still capable of activating a scoring mentality and can throw it from the outside whenever he wants like I said a couple of months ago we would all be watching the Redemption of James Harden this season, but now the second half of the season is approaching.

James Harden is looking for revenge. If you enjoyed this video, be sure to leave a like before watching this Kevin Durant analysis. I thank you all for your support and see you in the next video