Houston Rockets: Appreciating (And Defending) James Harden

Debunking The Harden Hate

Now that we’ve debunked the ludicrous notion that he “choked” in the big moment, we need to examine the other reasons people don’t like James Harden. There are quite a few, but each new one is as silly as the last.

The biggest reason people don’t like Harden is “the way he plays.” In other words, “because he flops.” I’ll counter with this: James Harden might be the greatest player in NBA history when it comes to creating contact, drawing fouls and getting to the line.

This isn’t like when you hear analysts refer to flopping as “a veteran move” simply because the rule book is lax on punishing the actors.

This is a whole new level of mastery that some people just aren’t ready for. Harden is a bulldozer attacking the basket, strong enough to extend the ball out in front of him and bait the defense into lunging and trying to swipe it away.

Almost every time, the defense fails. He may exaggerate contact by snapping his head back, but a flop-ish move like that doesn’t change the fact that he’s still being fouled in the process. Watching Harden drive to the basket is always a spectacle, because each and every time something climactic is going to happen.

It’s also quite amusing to see people complain about Harden’s foul-drawing mastery and then turn right back around and disagree that something needs to be done about this Hack-A-Shaq tomfoolery on the grounds that “players need to make their free throws.”

Fouling people away from the ball on purpose is not basketball, nor is it entertainment. Harden employing his lightning quick first step to blow by defenders and using his guileful ball control in the thick of the help defense is both of those things, especially since it makes him virtually un-guardable when he’s got his jump shot going.

Another reason people don’t like James Harden? The unkempt, bushy, black King Leonidas-esque beard. News flash: not only is it his trademark, but it’s pretty damn awesome too. Even if you’re not one for untamed facial hair, you have to admit it makes him unique.

As NBA fans, unique characteristics like that are things we’ll look back on one day and remember fondly as traits that made our favorite players stand out. If disliking Harden comes on the grounds of the length of his beard, you’re doing it wrong.

There are other minor things that haven’t sat right with fans. There was the time we learned that Harden and Dwight Howard didn’t eat meals with the team. There was the time he kicked LeBron James in the crotch. His stirring the pot celebration is awesome, but not quite as endearing as a more humble, funny guy like Curry with his goggles or salsa dancing.

But as the biggest individual opposition to Curry this season, Harden was thrust into this villain role. Maybe it’s the fact that his teammates are mostly a bunch of guys who are either loved or detested by fans. Maybe it’s the beard. Maybe it’s the free throws. Or maybe it’s just plain old irrational hatred and jealousy that comes anytime anyone in society becomes great at something.

Next: Looking Ahead