916fan wrote:ItsThatEasy wrote:GimmeDat wrote:
A better way to look at it is that Harden doesn't play 'above the rim'. 'Isn't a good athlete' is a way too broad and inaccurate statement.
I just don't understand how anyone could call Harden unathletic. He's an absolute bull with the ball in his hands. I've guarded the guy a few times at the Drew League, impossible to move him and he's fast. Not "deceptively fast" either, just fast.
No one called him unathletic. I don't think he's quick on-ball. He relies on his 1st step and dribble moves more than his overall speed, acceleration, and burst. He doesn't get a good shift when changing directions either.
He's one of the most physical players despite getting the soft label. People underrate how much of his game revolves around his big body and strength. In some of his drives, he uses his body to shield off defenders while driving, instead of relying on pure quickness. I think Harden is an above average athlete, but I wouldn't say he's a good one.
I don't think vertical=quickness alone. Steph isn't much of a vertical leaper, but he's still one of the most athletic players in the NBA. On the contrary, Grayson Allen is a great vertical leaper with some explosion, but he's probably a slightly-below average to average athlete because of he lacks the other stuff. A good athletic SG would be DeMar DeRozan for me.
My entire point was that you don't need to be a great or even good athlete to excel in the NBA. There's lots of players who aren't good athletes but are still good in the NBA. If you guys disagree with me on Harden, there's still Devin Booker, Klay Thompson, Malcom Brogdon, etc.
You just said "Harden is not a good athlete".
