The Evolution of Harden's Defense

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He's actually not bad
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[@Dekross]

"They can't break my ankles if I don't defend" -James Harden probably.

[@spidefire9984]

Lmao🤣🤣🤣

[@2kmichaeljordan438]

Big brain

[@pureintellectualbeing3575]

revenge lol

[@harris4927]

Yet even this way, they still managed to... 😂

[@manoffaith6952]

😂😂😂 he says it with a serious face looking straight into the camera!!!! And a pause before "if i dont defend"😂😂😂

[@bigdog638]

It’s almost like he really only cared when Giannis started to talk about him

[@elijahlee4392]

Or when he won mvp over him

[@epicexperiment7713]

He is only doing defense when he is mad

[@1ksprite963]

Trust me, Harden could've been a really deadly two-way player, in his draft report, he had a 9 on defense and that is like Kawhi type defense, but this man decides to save his energy on offense instead.

[@V1CALMIGH7Y]

Mayo Gum eh idk about deadly as he is on offense but he could definitely be really solid

[@1ksprite963]

@@V1CALMIGH7Y Yeah but look at his draft report he had a 9 on defense. Fr how he drop that low? He just doesn't put effort.

[@Dralifuzzy]

Dont forget when Ron Artest knocked out the defensive side of his brain

[@hollywoodeditz9099]

Underrated

[@jay-akage]

Lmaooo

[@HeaveNn95]

i fkn died on this one xDDDDDD

[@sabahbubbler]

You mean Metta world war?

[@peterpaul176]

Giannis knocked it back in with that missile

[@formodius]

Harden’s girl: “Play defense and I’ll let you hit this 😏” James: “nah im good”

[@Err_Or-dw8wq]

Harden watched his friend get jumped and dipped in fear of getting his knee caps broken

[@formodius]

Vladimir Putin but if he is getting jumped by 6 dudes than am gone sorry

[@snakeeyes7907]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWO8fKebg8SUhLs

[@Vilppy]

Vladimir Putin damn mr putin sir. Didnt know u got down like this

[@ibbio3628]

SNAKE EYES don’t put some sus ass stuff in here

[@arthurxu781]

Isnt it ironic that he first started playing defense in an ALLSTAR GAME

[@piusbutarbutar1782]

Probably because what giannis comment on him

[@snakeeyes7907]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWO8fKebg8SUhLs

[@williamterry9179]

Y’all know he’s played defense before that. This video just shows a couple plays from some games where he doesn’t. The same ppl that say he has no defense don’t ever watch his games

[@arthurxu781]

@@williamterry9179 yeah I know. But it's always fun to joke around about it

[@williamterry9179]

Arthur Xu yea I agree with just picking jokes but it gets on my nerves when they say really really mean it and trying to bring up stats

[@joshstephen877]

Bruh everyone in Houston including myself just shook their heads when Livingston crossed Harden

[@d5o1001]

That cross up was pretty nasty though.

[@Teedies-oh7gi]

when even a Houston fan can represent the whole building and say that, it got to be true

[@greatomeister675]

How did we all forget about that?

[@MegaHunter316]

Tbh those were some streets handles. It could happen to anybody except the smartest defenders

[@KyoFanDuB]

@@MegaHunter316 To anybody who doesnt like to defend or cant defend That steal attempt was pretty weak

[@lobsanggemona3671]

He’s that one cherry picker in 2k rec center

[@nofreehooks]

@ me next time homie!

[@sharifbrown3567]

If it works, it works.

[@edgeofbigiggy1311]

It’s easy buckets why wouldn’t you cherry pick points are points

[@lobsanggemona3671]

edgeOfBIGIGGY yea but it’s just not fun if they keep on doing it

[@sharifbrown3567]

@@lobsanggemona3671 Do you wanna win, or have fun?

[@oliverglen6042]

I guess his defence took a”step back”

[@omnipepper3665]

...ha I get it

[@justsayin669]

That would be a good joke but it's outdated. The whole point of the video is the opposite of what you said haha

[@mr.kopdabest1572]

@@justsayin669 actually in the context of the video it makes sense, Kobe spoke highly of James's defense when he was on OKC so technically his defense did take a "step back" because the steps forward he took were in a bad direction

[@justsayin669]

@@mr.kopdabest1572 But it doesn't make sense within the context of the video. The video didn't show a single OKC clip therefore what you said isn't valid. If it did show good defensive OKC clips then I would see what you would be saying, but this joke doesn't make sense within the context of this particular video

[@stefanocanicchio7278]

Epic comment

[@judgey3231]

He’s good at defense when he wants to be

[@Rock-sz9hn]

But he never wants to be...

[@rondabon6737]

@@Rock-sz9hn lol

[@mandark5789]

He's lazy defender.

[@LimitlessJA]

Stop

[@chazer7800]

I love how harden looked at his hand after blocking giannis like “that was me?”

[@itzisolation6942]

At least he good at scoring

[@LeBronJames-uz6mt]

Itz Isolation cause if he wasn’t he would be Kwame Brown

[@rayserna639]

But your points dont matter if your man scores the same amount of point you score

[@GodlsAFK]

@@rayserna639 pretty sure it does lol because if they scored and you didn't this thought process makes no sense

[@YouArentThatImportant]

He's been playing Good defense lately. Great player. Not the best character.

[@LeBronJames-uz6mt]

I am seeking God haven’t seen him laugh in months

[@zachrayy288]

"Half the defense double the offense"

[@zenitsuagatzuma8353]

Game of Zones 😆😆😆

[@michaelcrotty2632]

Who is here after Game 7 against OKC after harden’s jump

[@sjmakesit9968]

Me

[@hxrout4688]

Me

[@hecroz92]

Damm imagine if james harden was a cop and a criminal trying to get through him, james harden:

[@gameimprovements4347]

Criminal: officer can I not be arrested/guarded Officer Harden: me? Sorry, yeah. I was just standing here. Sorry to confuse you

[@davis3273]

Olé

[@Betroid]

I missed the part where that’s my problem

[@karstenk9467]

He defends likes he’s trying so hard not to draw a foul

[@glorioushotwingsjr5080]

I am actually happy to see he has improved

[@ayhanceliktas3288]

his defense was actually good back in OKC

[@StevenCkoba]

@@ayhanceliktas3288 that's right. I remember him guarding Kobe very good in OKC days. He's not a bad defensive player.. it's just a matter of his will.

[@keif9447]

@@StevenCkoba Why does James Harden always look high in court?

[@StevenCkoba]

@@keif9447 because he probably is 😂😂

[@jatinkulkarni2428]

Harden always had active hands to deflect, steal, and sometimes block the ball, but he always lacked effort. In the early part of his career, he was tasked with being the offense so he spent his energy there and relaxed on defense. The past few seasons, he has been on his A-game with his offense and putting more effort into defense. With the line-up they have now, it is necessary for him to put effort on defense and can rely more on his teammates on the offense.

[@archellegon7903]

James harden always leaving assignment 😂

[@psychedelicpsychosis6954]

Remember at one point in OKC harden was seen as a defensive stopper and had battles with Kobe and wade where he made them struggle mightily. It's a effort thing when it comes to him. He has shown the ability to make guys work for their shots , but decides to conserve energy on the defensive end

[@akymbo9588]

he’s actually gotten good at defending at random times last year and a lot this year it’s just not talked about because people like to portray that he has weaknesses

[@sharifnasser7635]

Its a real weakness. Actin like theyre making it up

[@xv9307]

Tyler B lol good at defending random times? Lmfao I’m done

[@Arl-es]

@@xv9307 It true tho

[@jsnel43]

@@xv9307 right. Not how defense works. You give it all or you ain't worth spit

[@wookey-2083]

When He's trying he is a good defender When he got drafted he had a 9 in defence (Same as Kawhi)

[@jookie4207]

1:53 my 2k character when I need to scratch my nose

[@Santacruz27]

Lmaooo even when he defends, he still be looking at the ball like it’s bouta go in

[@Hesteverest]

Azrael2aw it’s called being in the NBA

[@FrostDzNz]

Damn bro you didnt put in THE clip???

[@forantoncollo7881]

His 2k teammate grade is suffering from "defensive breakdown" Edit: 46 likes! Wow.

[@stephendavis9472]

46 likes isnt that much

[@forantoncollo7881]

@@stephendavis9472 I mean now yes but lol back then that was a lot for me.

[@broly7407]

Harden was known for his defense when he was in OKC. That's how he gain minutes he's first two years

[@kumilerr8116]

He is like Arsenal F.C he can't protect own Goal at all

[@FOY43]

Wait till we get our defense sorted this summer😂😂

[@daniellee8299]

at this point, mustafi's ankles retired already with the amount of times the've been destroyed

[@iFLeXgames]

Man put F.C at the end💀💀💀

[@oliverdennis3115]

You can just say Arsenal you don’t need to say fc, it means football club.

[@oliverdennis3115]

daniel lee have you ever watched football?

[@xiaoyiyuan11]

i remembered Harden did have some solid defensive moments in western conference final against Warriors with KD in the team. There was a highlight he stripped the ball from KD and posterising on Draymond Green. Next year his dunking rating in 2k went over 80.

[@DeaDAss-gi6vp]

cause he does get posters so they gave him an 84 dunk

[@saadabdullah8294]

He only have good defense in the paint and not the perimeter. I would say he has slightly above or above average defense in the paint. Man can hold his ground.

[@blinkmeever]

True. He’s got quick hands and a strong core. He’s just lazy on the perimeter.

[@andreaprelestian5443]

He great at post defense but average on parimeter, i know that when he guard kobe in the post, last season kobe play

[@baileygeorge9439]

He’s in the 92nd percentile in post defense. That’s elite post defense. Also he a solid on ball defender on the perimeter. He’s just lazy off ball

[@Alex-op8kt]

Hardens the most underrated defender in the league and it’s not cuz he’s crazy good just cuz everybody thinks he’s terrible

[@innocence3156]

Bailey George he may be 92%but he is a gaurd and there are many great centers and power forwards in the league. plus his post defense was good enough to get the win against the bucks and thats good enough. i wouldnt call his post defense elite but it is good enough and thats all you need

[@sadzacsesh3478]

When he got elbowed by Artest is when he gave up 😂

[@brandenbarnett6093]

In all fairness he’s expected to expend all energy on offense, getting up 40+ shots lol

[@happybust5d]

Yea, by basically standing for 15seconds running down the clock. Smh

[@brandenbarnett6093]

Yep, hate watching rockets play. Reminds me of watching a pick up game where best scorer holds on to ball, only passes up a shot when absolutely has to

[@veonnoire3768]

He average 1.4 something steals in okc of the bench...idk why hes like this now...

[@paytonlo]

So? Kobe played just as great offense with worlds better defense

[@brandenbarnett6093]

And most of us know that Kobe was one of a kind w that

[@rolanmagallanes1598]

Who's here after james harden's game winning block?

[@connorwhitaker8578]

Me

[@kyled5724]

The move by Livingston at 2:18 is filthy. Even good defense ain’t stopping that

[@alangarciata6046]

James "mild incovenience" harden

[@anthonygibby8162]

I love James Harden as a player he is one of my favorites. But this video is so true to his defense.

[@timkondo9844]

He played finally defense on Giannis cause of his interviews and their beef, just for that🤣

[@Feddy99]

He needs all his energy for offense that's why so he can spam that step back travel

[@mightdai7489]

When we saw him strip the ball from Giannis, we knew this video was coming

[@mrthirdparty4861]

he's literally averaging 1.8 steals and last year 2 steals, year before 1.8

[@troychristensen4646]

That is just stats, he doesn't play physical defense, the kind of defense that actually maters.

[@troychristensen4646]

Matters

[@mrthirdparty4861]

@@troychristensen4646 true

[@bballsummary7306]

I love how you started the vid with the interview shows this mans defs has something he is trying to prove

[@Staunchy123]

Harden plays defense like he wants to be back on offense asap by letting them score on him

[@shinkansenpilot502]

"Defensive Breakdown" C-

[@markanderson6350]

Underated comment 😂😂😂

[@minecraftman4769]

There’s two reasons he doesn’t defend Ron Artest smacked the defense out of him He saw what happened to Paul George when he went for a chase down block

[@Triqkshot]

Should’ve started this from his OKC days and called it the Devolution of Hardens defense.

[@hast0408]

Nice to know he decided to play defense at the end of his career

[@probablyenzoh]

when the youtube recommended brings me to a video quicker than the lads in the notif squad

[@snakeeyes7907]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/gWO8fKebg8SUhLs

[@wv4776]

DiAntoni: James I’ve been running some sims and I’m stuck I can’t find out any way to make us score more points than the other team Some janitor: maybe make the other team score less?

[@deadringer2349]

*throws the janitor outta window*

[@Spoon47863]

Ikr playing defense? Just draft another James Harden. Two is better than 1

[@HelpMeFindMyDad]

It's amazing how he tries to blame his team for his every mistake

[@joe_omama]

Shaun Livingston really kickstarted his defensive career

[@zachvarbel]

Right before the world ended Harden finally played defense

[@deonnelson9780]

He's been playing defense for last 3 seasons

[@zachvarbel]

Deon Nelson dude was drafted in 2009. Took him 8 years to play defense?

[@deonnelson9780]

@@zachvarbel Well he's always played defense he was known for that in OKC for a while. The things is Harden has never been a bad defender someone just made a compilation of his bad moments and it went viral. But everything clicked for him in 2017 where he took it to another level.

[@kasperrieberg3495]

@@deonnelson9780 No !!!

[@meattooth1303]

could you imagine MJ allowing even one of those plays during his career?

[@et5740]

Charlie Park Nothing like any of these plays in any way, and he recovered and got a contest to the shot.

[@gyui1091]

Meat Tooth mj had a solid team to depend on with competent coaching and decent role players. The fuck are you talking about

[@meattooth1303]

@@gyui1091 i am talking about how many times I have seen harden give up on plays, especially defense. not just in this video. mj did not give up on plays. that is what the FUCK i am talking about.

[@gyui1091]

Meat Tooth he’s not a perimeter defender he doesn’t have the lateral quickness nor the footwork to keep up with shifty guards

[@et5740]

G Yui He won a defensive player of the year as a guard? What are you on

[@nicksink8997]

He is that one guy who didn’t make a 2 way build

[@pkim23]

@2:24 “…WATCHED… by Harden…” LOL 😂

[@drewallen9006]

At least put the "steal" he got on DeMar DeRozan on here.

[@killerx1466]

People clown him a lot but he actually was an above average defender after the all-star break. Give the man credit

[@ErenJaeger13]

he the reason they didn’t win the western conference finals

[@kishorhegde7218]

@@ErenJaeger13 And he's also the reason they got there in the first place.

[@ErenJaeger13]

Kishor Hegde getting there doesn’t mean shit if you’re just gonna throw the whole series because you refuse to play defense

[@kash125]

@@ErenJaeger13 Playing defense doesn't mean anything if you aren't going to make the playoffs in the first place.

[@ErenJaeger13]

Kash He literally made the playoffs already and lost because he didn’t play defense what are you even talking about

[@vibhorkashyap]

He used that lockdown time very efficiently

[@daripper4u]

Being the second in the mvp voting for 4 years and winning the mvp one time with such a defense speaks volumes about his offense.

[@princejawfree447]

The fact that this man got voted onto the 75th anniversary team still baffles me

[@alessandrocasalini2747]

He still sucks in D, if he did a good defensive play (very lucky) doesn’t mean he’s improved, watch the whole game and other rockets games

[@iminpain4770]

*cough cough* multiple but ok

[@topherflynn3762]

I did watch the whole game he got six steals

[@youtubeaccountfromthephone5827]

You should tell yourself to watch the whole game

[@agreatquestion8830]

hes actually good a t deffense back when he was in OKC and Collage when he was traded to the houston it all changed

[@parkslolly8398]

Josh Gamer nah artest took out the defensive part of his brain and giannis knocked it back in

[@14rs2]

Harden wanted to get traded so he started playing defence so teams would actually want him haha 😂

[@ICYV_R]

2:41 " *SEX* knocks it down" is what I heard Edit: This dude hearted my comment😂😂

[@pleaseboi3410]

Lost it.

[@UCrjhmrVAvDXjApQo4EH]

Oh boi

[@ICYV_R]

@@pleaseboi3410 I'm sad

[@ICYV_R]

I'm happy now 😂

[@ICYV_R]

@Erick Mandujano I know he literally put it in text

[@1438Thejames]

He just lazy.

[@Eduardo-lo2vs]

Gotta save the energy for scoring

[@1438Thejames]

@@Eduardo-lo2vs yeah. But you can't win a trophy without solid defend.

[@user-mz8cs9oz9s]

@@1438Thejames you cant win a trophy when you meet prime gsw every playoffs

[@blublockent4413]

Literally saving all his energy for offense

[@austinlan6803]

He just did that against the Lakers game 4 just sat and watched

[@milart12]

I have never seen Harden get into a true defensive stance. With all the NBA advanced metrics, I wonder if anyone has calculated what a liability Harden is on defense.

[@markcubanz43]

I really admire Hardens Brain. He’s got offense down. It looks like he’s getting defense down a bit

[@alphawolffe5744]

He literally went from not being able to guard anybody to guarding giannis

[@StrengthFromGiving]

Lock Down?... Ya lets not over play his improvements here. He has progressed from "Actively ignoring defense" to... "I guess I can try to poke the ball or something"

[@adobotravels]

Garden’s defense is practicing social distancing.

[@ianki1]

theory: harden never had a solid team by his side for the past decade or so. after he came to houston, i feel he had to rely on his own power to score points quickly and efficiently, therefore not paying much attention to defense. i think this may be a reason as to why harden’s defense is ass

[@callumdann6073]

“Was” ass not “is”

[@ianki1]

Callum Dann Is* is correct here

[@tinidor08]

Harden defense: if they score 2pts, i'll score 3.

[@mechamach8873]

i can confidently say I defend like an nba star

[@briellestone7161]

Harden is the king of stepbacks and travels 😂😂

[@ireofficial6314]

Harden: What do you want for Christmas? Kid: I want 2 dragons! Harden: c’mon be realistic Kid: Then play defense! Harden:... Also Harden: what color do want the dragons to be?

[@randomcat5262]

He's been one of the top stealers in the league, this season. He is a skilled defender, Unfortunately he is also a careless and low-effort defender. What's important is whether he can bring a high defensive intensity to the playoffs.

[@EE-ie9gm]

Skilled? Hahaha

[@Chef_JRod]

Never. That's why he's never made it out of conference finals. Offense doesn't win championships, defense doesn't. He can average 50 points a season for everyone to see. But if he isn't putting effort on defense he's never going to win a championship. I don't even think it matters to him anymore. Think he's resigned himself to being ringless.

[@saifstrapsyt3011]

He’s been able to play defense the last two years.

[@switch-_-out6571]

Do ppl forgot that harden played rlly good defensive in okc and even against Kobe in his prime harden locked him up (but only for a couple of games bc Kobe went off after those games lol)

[@songsofwar6966]

This now deserves to be elongated...positively for Harden!

[@Rj-er4bo]

He was around for that long with that kinda play. Great he loves his game. Never gave up.😊

[@wat5513]

2:20 He will never be posterized in his career. I'm smaaaaaahhhhht!

[@ILOVEGOOOOOOLD]

*lets defender run right by him* "I wonder what's going through his head?" - Announcer "Should I buy another lime green suit?" - James

[@ono3869]

Harden plays D a couple of possessions in an exhibition game and people are ready to give him the DPOY award. LOL!

[@MoeBomba]

People that think harden just started playing defense just stick with a narrative. That’s what harden said. Because of what people see on bleacher report instead of watching full games they think harden is garbage at defense. Now harden ain’t all that but he is a average defender. He is one of the best post defenders in the league, top 5 in steals, and has the most blocks by a guard since 2012

[@jbwitda]

He led in steals this year And number one in post Defence stoppage

[@Chiiip420]

He's always been an underrated post defender tho

[@ala2417]

Harden: offense only! Defense! What is that? 🤣🤣🤣

[@jinsangdre591]

I’m glad he is putting more effort into defense now

[@onohcollins522]

Legend has it james hated guarding his idol kobe so much he vowed he'd never guard another player again

[@svenfold979]

Everytime someone says a player is a liability on defense, i point to harden as a real liability. Also, only reason he tried against Giannis is because of their beef tbh.

[@localstreetsbatman]

Everyone's gangsta until he gets 2 free throws for opponents sneezing

[@stefanocanicchio7278]

Harden logic at least before 2020: you don't need defence if you make 30+ points for game

[@yaramovasseghi6578]

He is the Most improved player of the year

[@millenniummind5593]

0:33 Harden did a full James Brown split 😂😂😂😂

[@scizorbullet8185]

2:16 omg 😂

[@aitlin]

In 2020 he looks like "Ayo are you scared to play against me? I hope so"

[@matijaarnaut4792]

That livingston crossover was FIRE

[@briankelly8624]

2020 best defensive year for harden

[@user-yv4xx2nw9f]

2020 Rockets vs Thunder playoffs Game 7 : Harden block Dort to secure the game at the buzzer

[@ajslaughter3141]

u posting legendary vids keep doing ur work

[@lanelurkerr]

My man's did the splits on the first clip