2017-2018 Around the NBA

[The Wizard of Moz]

Yeah Harden is elite, I don’t think anyone will disagree there. I’m just amazed people enjoy watching him play. He is one of the most ref dependent players in the league.

I’ll try to be objective here by pitting players I think most on this board hate against each other

I think Kyrie is significantly more entertaining to watch than Harden

I think Curry is significantly more entertaining to watch than Harden. I loathe watching him, but in a fandom neutral world if I had no rooting interests Steph is more entertaining to me

To each their own. But Hardens game is ugly as fuck to me. It also tends to fade when the whistles fade...

 

[Real Deal]

The incessant flopping really makes it hard to appreciate Harden's aesthetic game. I admire his efficiency though.

I don't know what's worse, Harden pulling this flop card, or old man Dick buying it.

 

[Adam]

the thing that makes harden so unique is his athleticism. its atypical in that his balance and body control is perfect and he is explosive from an almost upright position. its his tensegrity he just changes direction with minimal effort at all times. honestly the only other athlete ive seen do it so easily is ryan giggs an old man u winger. its very rare. its a shame it gets used along side the flopping because without it he would still lead the league in FT rate, dude's a tough cover

 

[Sir'Dom Pointer]

the thing that makes harden so unique is his athleticism. its atypical in that his balance and body control is perfect and he is explosive from an almost upright position. its his tensegrity he just changes direction with minimal effort at all times. honestly the only other athlete ive seen do it so easily is ryan giggs an old man u winger. its very rare. its a shame it gets used along side the flopping because without it he would still lead the league in FT rate, dude's a tough cover

A very underrated aspect of basketball or any sports such as Soccer/Football/Basketball for that matter is posture and dynamic movement. Harden has perfect neurodynamics and posture.. you can see it in his movements. When he moves his whole body moves with him like a complete unit, his movements are always the same, almost robotic.

This is why he hasn't been injured, this is why he is lowkey playing a lot of minutes while maintaining similar production throughout the game. He just knows how to exert energy efficiently.

It's a surprise to me that Lebron hasn't been injured up until this point, because that's not the case with him. I mean, he does have his back problems and neck problems, but it never developed to a serious injury.

 

[Adam]

A very underrated aspect of basketball or any sports such as Soccer/Football/Basketball for that matter is posture and dynamic movement. Harden has perfect neurodynamics and posture.. you can see it in his movements. When he moves his whole body moves with him like a complete unit, his movements are always the same, almost robotic.

This is why he hasn't been injured, this is why he is lowkey playing a lot of minutes while maintaining similar production throughout the game. He just knows how to exert energy efficiently.

It's a surprise to me that Lebron hasn't been injured up until this point, because that's not the case with him. I mean, he does have his back problems and neck problems, but it proceeded to a more serious injury.

It also helps that neither of them play defense at the moment

 

[Jstock12]

It also helps that neither of them play defense at the moment

I believe Harden has been a considerably better defender the last couple of years.

 

[bee-eazy13]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/james-hardens-secret-talent-is-slowing-down-1486667420

Article says some sports lab tested Harden, different athletes in basketball, football, and soccer.

What they found is Harden scores barely average in every metric related to athleticism...except one: deceleration, where he’s the best they’ve ever seen in any athlete in any sport.

It makes sense watching him. The way he can stop and go (especially his shifty left to right movements) just throws defenders way off balance with seemingly very little movement...in comparison to Kyrie,Rose,Wall etc. who use more exaggerated steps and leans when trying to shake a defender IMO. Harden can put the brakes on and change direction before the defender can even sense him shifting. I guess it’s wrong to say he’s not a good athlete...

 

[Rich]

Its only 3 game since the trade, but the Bucks are 3 and 0 and have beaten San Antonio and Memphis.

That's THE threat in the East. Giannis is probably a top 5 player, although it feels soon to say that. But if he keeps this up, its what he is.

 

[SmudgeHog]

the thing that makes harden so unique is his athleticism. its atypical in that his balance and body control is perfect and he is explosive from an almost upright position. its his tensegrity he just changes direction with minimal effort at all times. honestly the only other athlete ive seen do it so easily is ryan giggs an old man u winger. its very rare. its a shame it gets used along side the flopping because without it he would still lead the league in FT rate, dude's a tough cover

Dude... you used tensegrity in a sentence. Well done!

 

[SmudgeHog]

https://www.wsj.com/articles/james-hardens-secret-talent-is-slowing-down-1486667420

Article says some sports lab tested Harden, different athletes in basketball, football, and soccer.

What they found is Harden scores barely average in every metric related to athleticism...except one: deceleration, where he’s the best they’ve ever seen in any athlete in any sport.

It makes sense watching him. The way he can stop and go (especially his shifty left to right movements) just throws defenders way off balance with seemingly very little movement...in comparison to Kyrie,Rose,Wall etc. who use more exaggerated steps and leans when trying to shake a defender IMO. Harden can put the brakes on and change direction before the defender can even sense him shifting. I guess it’s wrong to say he’s not a good athlete...

That would seem to mean that he, more than just about any other athlete, will need to rely on his knees lasting forever, without any tears or damage.

 

[Adam]

Dude... you used tensegrity in a sentence. Well done!

had to google its spelling though

 

[czvo]

I believe Harden has been a considerably better defender the last couple of years.

I don't know. He puts up the least amount of resistance I've ever seen.

 

[davedugan43]

Its only 3 game since the trade, but the Bucks are 3 and 0 and have beaten San Antonio and Memphis.

That's THE threat in the East. Giannis is probably a top 5 player, although it feels soon to say that. But if he keeps this up, its what he is.

I agree Milwaukee is a threat, but Kyrie and Brad Stevens still gives them the edge over Milwaukee for the biggest threat to us.

I'm still confident we go on a run here soon. Maybe a .600 win percentage or so until IT comes back, but then I think we get rolling.

 

[Rich]

I agree Milwaukee is a threat, but Kyrie and Brad Stevens still gives them the edge over Milwaukee for the biggest threat to us.

I'm still confident we go on a run here soon. Maybe a .600 win percentage or so until IT comes back, but then I think we get rolling.

I'd rather play Kyrie 10 times out of 10 in the playoffs over Giannis.

 

[davedugan43]

I'd rather play Kyrie 10 times out of 10 in the playoffs over Giannis.

Our 2016 team may end up being the only team to topple this decade's dynasty in Golden State.

Kyrie was a huge part of that. Giannis is incredible, but I'm sticking with the player I know over the player that COULD be better.