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#1
Yes, it is an article by a homer journalist, but it does a good job explaining the reasons behind the vitriol against Harden by those who don't always like his game. So far, Harden has shot 16 ft, making 14. That's an average of 8 attempts and 7 makes. During the postseason he has averaged 10 and made 9. The Dubs won both games by a combined 5 points. If Harden gets 4 more free throws (per his avg) that could make a big difference in a tight game. So far, in the playoffs, when Harden has shot more than 10 free throws, the Rockets are a perfect 5-0.
By Kevin Lynch
"Its difficult to admit, but ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy was right when he took on Warriors guard Klay Thompson for fouling Houston’s James Harden in game 1 of the Western Conference playoffs.
Replays showed Thompson hitting the forearm of Harden as he was going up for a jumper. Thompson complained bitterly about the call and Van Gundy complained bitterly about Thompson challenging the call. Van Gundy said if he was the referee he would be ticked off, because Thompson clearly made contact with Harden.
Van Gundy is right, and more importantly, the Warriors complain too much about fouls. Draymond Green is downright theatrical when he doesn’t get a call he should, or gets slapped with a foul when he thinks he is innocent. Andre Iguodala looks utterly bamboozled when he commits a foul, and he does it every time.
Steph Curry can even put on a bitter face when he doesn’t get a call. But most of the time, it’s legitimate. He has to be the most fouled superstar in the league that doesn’t get the call. It’s mystifying.
But overall, complaining about calls could be key in this series with the Rockets because of Harden. Somehow he has created a caveat in the minds of all NBA referees that he is getting constantly fouled. However, Harden backs into defenders all the time and never gets called. Also, on every left-handed drive to the basket, Harden’s first move is to fire a right forearm into the defender’s mid-section so he has the few inches of precious space he needs to drive to the hoop.
Referees’ reaction to complaints about fouls against Harden is just to call more of them. That didn’t happen in the Warriors’ Tuesday night win, but the potential is there and often it can cause a team to melt down.
It makes watching Harden a challenge at times, particularly when he stuffs the ball in a defenders’ face, and the defender reacts by knocking the ball and Harden’s hands away. It is a cheap way to draw fouls; Harden does it constantly, and it’s difficult to watch.
Conversely, when Harden is driving for lay-ups over defenders, or better yet, executing his balletic step-back jumper, He is a marvel to watch.
For the Warriors sake, fans have to hope the Warriors only complain when there’s an actual officiating injustice. And, secondly, that they don’t get into a frustrating round of Hack-a-Harden, because it’s not only unwatchable, it’s a good way to lose a game."
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