James Harden has been one of the worst players of the league - Nick | NBA | FIRST THINGS FIRST

[@FirstThingsFirst]

Listen to Flippin Bats: foxs.pt/flippinbats

[@maraihasanai3065]

What is Broussard talking about? If we’re gonna rib on AD for being washed idk how harchoke isn’t.

[@FIatIined]

The new rule has somewhat neutralized James Harden.

[@JamesBrown-pn1jw]

@@FIatIined this already aged bad lol

[@FanNews29]

Before James Harden joined KD and became a threat to Lebron. Nick Wright thought James Harden was underrated. People said that Harden was great because of free throws but Nick said if it’s that easy then do it. If he played with the Lakers then Nick would not be concerned at all 😂

[@backintheussr18]

I love when Broussard says this tape is hard to watch. You're telling me. I couldn't even see it.

[@chaposupreme2090]

🤣😂

[@crazytrain111]

KZbin search “James hardens foul baiting tricks won’t work anymore.” You’ll find the video

[@luffyd.dragonslayer2954]

😭😭😭😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@marcobaiera5078]

Nick was like "Show the footage" and I'm over like what footage?

[@eduardoarancibia169]

🤣🤣

[@horaciomaxmaldonado8327]

The chemistry on this show has improved so much better since replacing Brandon Marshall with Broussard full time. There’s good flow and wit not just random uncontrollable impulsiveness coming from emotions instead of logic.

[@victorarteagarodriguez51]

Brandon marshall made this show unwatchable honestly

[@andrewbranson4874]

I feel like they're all friends. I think they are, and most show hosts are, but you can tell on FTF

[@Taosravenfan]

Agreed. Marshall was terrible. Broussard and Nick are great together

[@cin8-films]

100%

[@sirjer73]

Well said

[@nouvang77]

"I wish I could be 6'5 , run into people and just shoot free throws. That takes no skill at all," Harden said. "I gotta actually learn how to play basketball and how to have skill. I'll take that any day."

[@marcobaiera5078]

Whoo, his comment did NOT age well 🤣🤣

[@Jaccobtw]

@@marcobaiera5078 LMAOOOOO

[@trejohn3215]

@@marcobaiera5078 lmao did it now?

[@mindyourbuisness8104]

This is the one topic I'm glad they talk about almost every day because it's so satisfying watch this style of play get absolutely crushed

[@dexter_johnson]

Agreed!! If he's as good as he and others think, he'll adapt.

[@queyoung6597]

I totally agree and by the way. What's his excuse for showing up overweight? He literally looks like he has no diet at all. However you can tell even though he knew there was a rule change, he didn't really take it seriously. All offseason he was dropping footage of him practicing new step back moves that manipulate the rules.

[@jonathanoscategui2678]

@@queyoung6597 dude Harden is gonna get back to his top style of play. The season just started

[@johnjones7023]

He lives through the free throw line without it he is a Average Joe😂

[@paulwilliams5500]

I hope Harden can adjust, but I agree, his old style was infuriating to watch, and it make me even more mad to watch kids emulate it in their games or play with dudes in rec leagues who just dribble and chuck garbage up. It’s the reckoning I have been praying for, and the basketball gods have responded.

[@LeViS766]

Hardens issue is not the 5-6 less fts he is getting its actually that people can now guard him without worrying about getting called for bs fouls.

[@DavidMeckes]

Bingo!

[@Lindauson]

This.

[@3verdades832]

Your comment is 💯% on point

[@Me-23158]

That’s exactly what I was thinking. People can actually put pressure on him without putting their hands behind their backs.

[@ProPlayPhocus]

Giannis is laughing somewhere

[@stringer2295]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. What was it “that takes no skill”

[@yugoflex]

Giannis is giving a F about Harden 😂

[@RBAJ1996]

And so is Steph lol

[@KaizerSozaye]

Cuz he da goat 🐐

[@MoonLess4444]

@@KaizerSozaye lmfaoo

[@cbee__]

hardens nerf is almost as bad as naruto and sasukes

[@thechild7355]

Lol facts

[@gqprince2]

I'm still hurt by that

[@kevinsanango2505]

Fr

[@realmtreader6566]

Imagine watching Naruto yikesssssssssssssssssssss

[@dreamteameli1068]

🤣🤣💯

[@youngdb9446]

Never wanna hear harden as a better offensive player than Kobe or Mj again !!

[@JPM32007]

Like ever

[@FPSLarryIII]

Never should have been in that convo to begin with. Dude was averaging like 10 points just off free throws.

[@luffyd.dragonslayer2954]

Y'all do know that both of those players averaged 9-11 ppg from fts during their prime seasons right...

[@youngdb9446]

@@luffyd.dragonslayer2954 not flopping on the ground constantly

[@mence5992]

@@luffyd.dragonslayer2954 because they got smacked on the floor. not because they used weird tactics.

[@darye]

We're completely ignoring the fact that players won't be scared to defend Harden now, that's a secondary effect of this rule. So overall scoring for him will be harder than just not getting calls. Defenders will be playing tighter defense.

[@DavidMeckes]

Exactly!

[@ozzee5094]

Good point.

[@kevkev1078]

That’s a great point

[@YouCallThataKnife253]

I keep making the exact same point! If Harden isn't getting those calls, then everything gets harder for him. How much more space did the _threat_ of fouling grant to Harden? Guys knew they couldn't get anywhere near him, and now they can play real D

[@Rushking20]

People forget teams have tried to defend him from behind and with their arms behind their back to avoid his foul baiting

[@superathlete216]

Kyrie: What does tape mean to you James? James: Hangs up the phone Hilarious Nick 🤣🤣🤣

[@Kruppt808]

Nick is 😈😂😂😂😂

[@Zeuwamakanuwadiegwu]

👹

[@tucomtyler]

Superathlete216 Can you explain this joke to me? I still don't get it. Is he saying he should go watch game film?

[@mauriceward6649]

@@tucomtyler nah, kyrie is always talking as if he's a mastermind philosopher or as if he just finished smoking lol. So the joke is that Kyrie would respond to James very uppity and in the in clouds rather than being down to earth

[@LG-in4gz]

Man, I used to love Broussard when he hopped on this show, Undisputed and the Herd over the last couple of years but since he's been a main stay here, he's been even better! You can tell that he's so much more comfortable and confident and he is much funnier as a result. GG!

[@anotherone801]

Man I just love this new NBA rule

[@riverofcustard5027]

Lol Nick cracked me up imitating that Kyrie and Harden call.

[@professorzoom7800]

what did he mean by that? is he just messing around about kyries personality being so deep or something?

[@riverofcustard5027]

@@professorzoom7800 Yeah, that’s pretty much what the joke was about

[@KazzyOfficial]

Trae Young figured out the rule change. FIGURE IT OUT HARDEN !!!

[@crazytrain111]

Trae is a kid. Harden been in the league for over a decade, harder to break those habits

[@kaysheye7784]

serious question - how did Trae get around the rule change? I've not been watching closely or aware enough

[@demetriusdouglas-davis3552]

@@crazytrain111 takes 30 days to break a habit no matter the habit he can do it

[@TheJudgementofDog]

@@demetriusdouglas-davis3552 They have to wan to break the habit first. Westbrook is a perfect example of someone that doesn't want to break their habits.

[@Bleax]

The rule affects harden more because trae is still allowed to get to the line by doing his whole “come to a dead stop in front of a defender, forcing them to run into you” that’s still allowed. You just can’t jump into defenders and draw a foul now which is what harden does.

[@aduad]

Harden still throwing his head back when he drives trying to get a foul call...right now his foul baiting is soo ingrained in his game that it will take time for him to start playing basket ball again...the playoffs have come early for Harden...might actually prepare him for the post season if he adjusts.

[@luchalerae7687]

Well said

[@kevkev1078]

I remember when Steve nash had the nerve to open his mouth about Trae young baiting for fouls! His complaining became the impetus behind the rule change. This totally back fired on him 😂

[@randygram9310]

It was a great rule change so if Nash caused it -- good for him. Trae Young is adjusting ... so now everybody is going to have to play basketball

[@neesonnaidoo4745]

As much as I love Broussard, he wrong. This is very satisfying and easy to watch 🤣🤣

[@reddrabbit505]

Harden has never been in great shape - but the hammy injury has affected his conditioning and fitness level. And as he ages - not being in top condition will further diminish his effectiveness. To contrast - Steph Curry is a much better athlete at 33 than he was at 23 - no joke.

[@BigCyan]

I feel you on harden but steph Is still great because he didn't rely on fouls to be successful. Instead like harden told Giannis about having skill is coming back to haunt him.

[@GigglewithFelix321]

OVER-RATED 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 OVER-RATED 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@ameliabedelia7018]

Why five claps? Oh and why the child molester?

[@9383troy]

this rule change was really needed and james harden proved it when you break down game film and show a guy not even trying to put the ball in the basket imagine how boring that is to watch.

[@FallenKiid]

Lakers and nets both struggling lol

[@FallenKiid]

@Representative of MJ lol they would go crazy

[@americanbrotha]

Harden got Space Jammed this start of the season. Gotta get his groove back.

[@str8harry]

I'm surprised the Nets don't get more hate. They seem like the most unlikeable set of stars ever assembled, but they get less hate than the Heat and GSW did.

[@MoonLess4444]

Because they are a disfunctional organization unlike Miami or Golden State

[@ganeshs8522]

Keep crying lmao

[@jadjoaquinquesada-khoury6176]

I really enjoy watching those clips of harden in the reflection of nick's eyes while he narrates them. lol

[@wienzveg]

I think Broussard and Nick missed one crucial point about Hardens change. The foul line also gives Harden extra rest in between plays. Harden’s Achilles heel has historically been stamina and this change to the rule affects a lot of players but for Harden it’s a 1-2 punch. Hot take!!!

[@gentrifiedkanye4059]

Harden is a product of today’s NBA. He would be irrelevant before 2005.

[@ozzee5094]

He’d be like a 22 ppg guy

[@angels431]

How these things were condoned for so long is absolutely disgusting,glad the league is letting basketball be played the right way,move in the right direction

[@ajordan101]

I don't want to hear anyone say that James Harden is the best scorer ever. Because MJ didn't need any crazy rules in order to be dominate

[@kyletucker3811]

Nah all he needed was three steps to dunk.

[@ganeshs8522]

He's 2nd

[@user-yy8ur8xz4e]

Rockets are starting to look like geniuses. They just got Jalen Green, already had Christian Wood, which are two key building blocks, and now over the next several years they are going to potentially have the nets picks in the top half of the draft. I’m top of this they also have John Wall to make more moves.

[@charliemartinez7195]

Those picks won’t be in the top half of the draft tho and no one wants John wall.. they have a great young team tho

[@mrbigstump63]

No one is taking John Wall and that contract.

[@NotoriousN_I_G_]

They dodged a bullet. It’s almost like they saw this coming.

[@queyoung6597]

The Rockets did what a lot of teams are scared to do. They started their rebuild sooner rather than later. Plus Harden has already peaked as a player, so they got value for him before they couldn't get anything at all. Harden is 32, has had nagging injuries, and is regularly out of shape. Not every player is going to play until they're 40 or in their late 30's.

[@Blake00001]

@@mrbigstump63 well the lakers fell for Westbrook so someone will take wall

[@weightpushweight5769]

A crazy stat is Harden has more FREE THROWS made than FG. That will change soon with the rule change.

[@mikehorrigan7806]

"I’d be looking like Harden.” Dead 😄

[@calebcicero7727]

love seeing the rule change, no more bs fouls

[@Vosovogalsyncope]

"What does tape mean to you James? 🤔 "🤣😂🤣

[@sportssimulation]

Dude don’t judge him so early

[@tykieseshepherd6078]

There’s even less calls in the playoffs I’m scared for him

[@Bey_Dreamer]

I smile ear to ear every time they speak on this 😁 watching harden go to the rim, was like watching football players play pick up games 🤦🏽‍♂️ that’s not real basketball is all I can ever think

[@leeonpiano]

If Harden played for the Lakers, Nick would completely dismiss all of this.

[@ovie10]

Ok Nostradamus

[@StayTru101]

Facts

[@nickharley2344]

If you can't see the refs are hating on Harden I don't know what to tell you.

[@MrCodeman2036]

This makes so much sense, because about 10 years ago I remember watching Pardon the Interruption, and he was basically called a B+ off the bench player.... This was after the NBA finals when he was on the Thunder, and it was rumored he would be leaving the team.... Over the last 10 years everyone's calling him one of the greatest NBA players ever, and I was so confused because I'm thinking how did it he go from a B+ off the bench player to an MVP/scoring leader of the league??? He's always looked a little soft compared to other NBA stars, and so now with the NBA changing this rule that he was clearly exploiting, it all makes sense... Now he's back to what he was in OKC, a decent B+ off the bench player

[@Justinmi010]

Even when he was on okc u knew harden if he went anywhere else could’ve been a star. That okc team was absolutely loaded with young talent.. all harden needed was an opportunity.

[@SB-wy1bm]

thats argumentation ain't it. Besides, he still would've average around 28-30 ppg with the current rules in his houston days

[@purplemonkeydishwasher4241]

I hate the way Harden plays, but this is a very flawed premise considering James Harden was only 22 years old when he was last on the Thunder. Virtually every great player is going to improve tremendously after their early 20s.

[@headshotjones7726]

@@SB-wy1bm naw people was scared to defend him because he kept burning them at them at the free throw line…. And taking 9-15 free throws a game will help you make future shots in the game because you see the ball go through the rim

[@JrKING-hj1ww]

I feel like who ever is in charge of playing the videos and refuses too needs to be fired

[@Steve-Fallon]

If you watch it on TV or KZbin TV the clips are there. But they must not have the rights to show it on regular KZbin.

[@calebcicero7727]

he’s been doing this for years just straight flopping and getting free points from the line

[@Jodacon75]

Makes me wonder if these so called “super stars” would be even good during those bad boy piston days

[@austinclark007]

10:04 "He drew some jabroni foul …"

[@Syte425]

Kinda hard when you can’t hook the defenders arm and jump up like you’re being fouled

[@calebcicero7727]

I guess not getting the BS foul calls is hurting james hardin

[@williambruce9207]

Way back when college made rules that blocked dunking, a guy named Jabbar figured it out! IF Harden is as good as they say, he should figure it out, too! He used to play normal basketball.

[@tgoodfella4290]

Iv been saying it for half a decade. This dude travels every possession. And he gets 20 pints a night at the foul line. He’s not what y’all say he is

[@FactsNoBias]

I remember debating someone (a Jordan hater) that said if Harden was on those Bulls teams he could have won 6 rings too. Smh

[@TheHulkvswolverine]

i think the rule change deffinitly is effecting him obviously, but i fully expect him to figure out out and adjust, his mind is so obviously wired to draw fouls cuz it’s been working for a decade, i think it’s just simply he has to rewire his mind to score not try to draw fouls, i think it could take him about a month-ish cuz he’s so use to doing it, but if harden is even 3/4 of what we think he is, he’ll figure it out

[@vishbegamin]

I know Kyrie never had to worry about rule changes because he's got the best layup package in the league

[@Thomas998822]

They crying that Harden is shooting *only* 33% foh...Lakers are dealing with Russ shooting like 10% with as many attempts. *ALSO* yal mean to tell me KD is the best player in the league, and Harden just being a star and not a superstar means the Nets have " *NO* chance" ??? Which superstar is Giannis playing with?? If all that is true KD is NOT the best in the league, by literal definition.

[@brandonwright6824]

I kno darn well chris u ain't say james was a top 25 of alltime ...... mannnn Cut it out

[@prescotttrilex8103]

16pts, 8reb, 7ast, those are Ben Simmons numbers without the defense

[@northside4767]

Nick made a great point about Harden never being considered a top-five player and a perennial MVP candidate before he started to play a brand of basketball that was playing into a manipulation of the rules. I don’t think a lot of people even considered that James playing regular basketball simply wouldn’t be as good as him playing foul manipulation basketball, because it never was. Wild stuff.

[@Heemedup]

I repeat he is not a hater he spitting str8 facts!!!! Call em out bro!! I love it

[@kaytwo_]

This is basically the harden we get in the playoffs when refs call less ticky tack stuff

[@davonp4652]

Broussard makes this my favorite show

[@hyutyub]

THE TRUTH - you just can’t hook the arms of the defender to hit your face with it when he is not even moving and his arms are clipped behind him.THAT IS NOT BASKETBALL. So HARDEN has NO BASKETBALL SKILLS.

[@Liftwitjo]

Then drops 29 8 and 8 last night drops a triple double haters gone hate boyy

[@Spacetech3000]

Everyone saying the rule changes ruining him. Could it be that he’s checked out like Houston cuz he doesn’t wanna be there with the kyrie mess?

[@stinger5127]

It's possible. There's definitely some "quit" in him.

[@patrickpitamber]

He's injured that's why playing on injury

[@Mdautkreix]

This rule change is making that 2012 OKC trade look a little less foolish. Who could’ve predicted he’d become a master rule manipulator? Now that we have a control sample it looks like they might’ve properly assessed his likely value. But only time will tell.

[@TK-nc3ou]

I start to think Durant is kinda cursed. First he has to cooperate with never improving Russ, and OKC kicks out Harden when he actually played normally. Then he is partnering back with Harden who stopped knowing how to play, and Kyrie basically retired

[@kingtshilobo1849]

Calling him the worst is a reach. He’s not playing to Harden standard yes. But to call him in the worst. Is a reach

[@tafaritaylor19]

They were saying Harden is better than Kobe 🤦🏽

[@mikeshannon8509]

Best cast in all of sports radio. No doubt

[@julianmorgan9753]

James harden was never a top 25 of all time

[@aidansimone4443]

Did anybody see the footage Nick is referring to?? 🤣🤣

[@kingparks4377]

Nick has hit it on the head Harden was not a all time great before he started going to the line 15 times a game.

[@1956rhowlin]

Must be that Khardasin curse, delayed. lmbo

[@ΠασχάληςΤσαλιάφας]

James Harden is a veteran.

[@ThrifterGuy]

That rule change really hurt James Harden. It just goes to show you how fragile things can get.

[@alicekang2726]

Thank you nick. He got motivated to start for his game

[@sunmod1529]

Why would he ask Steve Nash.?? I'm sure the nets don't need a coach

[@jctslice]

Worst SUPERSTAR in the league, but not the worst PLAYER. There’s a DIFFERENCE

[@jdp7961]

Looks like the only double doubles he’s getting is at In-N-Out Burger

[@thehollistichealthmonster5993]

I don’t see why people thought that was crazy rule..defense is about controlling your opponent and yourself…even if a player stop you can’t just run slam into them…or if that player is in the shooting pocket of a player

[@equest943]

Are they not in the same room? Because they talk like they are 50 feet away from each other

[@brogaming950]

It’s the beginning of the season chill Nick talk about how bad the Lakers are playing

[@thatruthpt_3755]

Isn’t there a video of harden saying “scary hours” cause the nets were healthy ? Why they mentioning injuries now ?

[@boonebeasley9622]

He is healthy he said it himself just last month he is just out of shape and can’t get fouls so he blames it on the hammy but who takes 6 months to recover for a hamstring injury

[@BigBankJab]

So Damian Lillard, Russ, Or many more stars not struggling? Cut the cap

[@keithgupton9349]

James Harden does appear to be a bit hesitant. I think he's mentally not gotten past his hamstring injury.

[@goofycomputer1234]

No excuses he forget how to ball cuase he's not shooting 20freethrows a game

[@keithgupton9349]

@@goofycomputer1234 I'm not offering excuses. I don't believe James Harden struggles are solely based on a rules change. I'm also not going to overreact to 5 games.

[@goofycomputer1234]

@@keithgupton9349 true about the 5 games.. but after 40 games oh oh someone getting exposed if he plays like this

[@keithgupton9349]

@@goofycomputer1234 so give him the benefit of the doubt until then. People are so quick to bash James Harden because they may not be a fan of the way he played in Houston. I have confidence that Harden will eventually figure it out.

[@iso-abyss3574]

we didn't see nothing

[@ryceryder85]

Can the producers actually show us the clips?

[@forex2easy714]

Exposed. He will be average now

[@programR3]

This is not the biggest story in the NBA right now dude. Haven't you been paying attention. The Kyie and/or Ben Simmons situation is much bigger. Just an opinion.

[@Quan1993]

It definitely has something to do with Lil Baby. 💯

[@jonathansykes4986]

Damian Lillard is far worse than James Harden.

[@razormamba1729]

something a lot of analyst are forgetting is the fact that defenses can now play real defense on harden. they used to defend harden with their hands behind their back just to avoid 3 easy free throws. which gave harden wide open 3s and way easier shots.

[@Jaccobtw]

Well done nba, well done

[@djsauls7592]

b Marshall was alright rather heat chris talk than him

[@rayrayschnapps8217]

trae young, Doncic and harden are all shooting 4 fewer free throws per game... damian lillard has shot 17% from 3, Doncic is avg more TO than harden and is only shooting 25% from 3... why are they picking on Harden? Doncic is "struggling" just as much but because he takes 21 shots instead of 16 it looks better.

[@fedeusa78]

Its not a surprise, he's never been clutch, he's never been a leader, you take away his comfort zone and he is just a subpar player..

[@killgronia5815]

He just needs to get in much better shape. Be even quicker and think score not foul.

[@leroyrodgers6089]

Nets vs Lakers isn't happening I guess.

[@fubarace1027]

And here I was thinking Patrick Mahomes was the worst player in the league... =p

[@dzonsanchez4918]

Everyone is saying that steph will be the most affected by the change in rule on foul bating... it is Harden!

[@mconner262]

Harden about to decline so hard

[@kaihammon7321]

It’s all of the above. Plus Harden doesn’t usually play with people as skilled as he is. Then there’s Kyrie..