Harden takes flopping to a new level while mating with MCW

[MrBigShot]

That's not a flop it's just a blatant offensive foul that the refs for whatever reason totally botched.

[-Sammy-]

The rockets commentators are almost as bad as even worse than the flop

[Green89]

Dirty play. Harden could have injured MCW's back.

[Tim Lehrbach]

Harden is a clown and all, but that's 100% on the idiot ref who called the foul.

I can't agree with this. The game of basketball is not a test of who can most effectively exploit the fallibility of the referees. Trying to win by getting away with non-basketball plays and drawing calls on real or imagined violations is poor sportsmanship. James Harden is a poor sport.

Yes, as some posters have pointed out, other players employ trickery and flop, too. It's wrong in all cases. But Harden is on the very short list of worst offenders in NBA history, and I will never feel good about celebrating his successes. It's too bad, because he is obviously a terrific player, and I am duly impressed by what Morey and D'Antoni have done with the Rockets.

[zimpy27]

Why was MCW doing that anyway? Seems dangerous to push your body weight into a players legs while hooking them

[DubTheVanDamage]

I've seen another one from Harden that is worse than the OP post, same type of move. This is a Harden-go-to flop when he is being denied a cut.

Watch on YouTube

foul on Holiday

That one was actually a foul, unlike the MCW back jump, he started boxing Harden out and moving backwards into him for no reason, you can't do that lol look at what the ref signals, it's exactly what Jrue did

Look, I don't expect Rockets fans to burn their fan cards because of Harden's antics or disavow their star player.

But to claim that Harden was fouled by Jrue in that video is absurd. Watch the second angle -- Dwight is stationary, the camera is stationary and both Jrue and Harden are moving right to left. Jrue cannot 'back into' Harden because he's moving away from him the entire time. He never, at any point, reverses his direction. Certainly, Jrue slowed and impeded Harden's progress but he is under no obligation to move out of the way to allow Harden to pass.

It's a bit embarrassing for the NBA but it's really not that big of a deal. Just accept the truth and move on.

[GreenBloodedC]

The worst part is Harden is crying to the refs like he was being harassed or something

[ILOVEIT]

Griffin, LeBron, CP3, Harden, Wade...all time flopping team.

[BallerTalk]

Not a flop.

[MartinToVaught]

Griffin, LeBron, CP3, Harden, Wade...all time flopping team.

Don't forget Draymond, Durant and Curry.

[bondom34]

It was a flop. But if we're being honest every single NBA player flops

[Impuniti]

Griffin, LeBron, CP3, Harden, Wade...all time flopping team.

Don't forget Draymond, Durant and Curry.

You've had a rough week, I understand.

Is there ever going to be a point where refs are accountable for awful mistakes in the NBA? I understand basic mistakes and it happens, but how does something like this get by with impunity?

[ocelot17]

You can't impede an offensive player's progress.

Good call.

[BallerTalk]

Omg. Please give Westbrook the MVP, don't let this guy win it.

This is why no one likes Houston or their fan base... And to think I was starting to get used to the fact that Harden would win MVP.

... make me hope he never wins a title or MVP.

not my mvp

At first I was wondering what's with all the fuss and false labeling over a single play in a game that was poorly officiated overall. It wasn't even the worst call of the game.

But then it became clear what most of the consternation was really about.

[K_chile22]

It was a flop. But if we're being honest every single NBA player flops

If it weren't James Harden the play wouldn't even get a mention in the daily game thread.

[Patches Perry]

He was rewarded with points, so he'd do it again in a heartbeat, and so would most players. Flopping is a skill, and Harden is great at it. In order for flopping to not be a (beneficial) skill, officials need to stop falling for it.

This is 100% on the officials. Players try to win by any means necessary. Their objective is simple, try to put as many points on the board as possible and prevent the other team from doing the same. By any means necessary. It is the officials job to make sure both teams are pursuing that objective legally within the rules.

[anatomicbomb]

Harden: "Coach, did I do it? Was that defense?"

[K_chile22]

He was rewarded with points, so he'd do it again in a heartbeat, and so would most players. Flopping is a skill, and Harden is great at it. In order for flopping to not be a (beneficial) skill, officials need to stop falling for it.

This is 100% on the officials. Players try to win by any means necessary. Their objective is simple, try to put as many points on the board as possible and prevent the other team from doing the same. By any means necessary. It is the officials job to make sure both teams are pursuing that objective legally within the rules.

There were no free throws awarded on this play. It was SLOB

[bondom34]

It was a flop. But if we're being honest every single NBA player flops

If it weren't James Harden the play wouldn't even get a mention in the daily game thread.

I think a couple guys would. Harden, CP3, maybe Westbrook, maybe Draymond. That's about it. Its very selective complaining.

[cdubbz]

not my mvp

STEPH CURRY FOR A 3rd TERM AS MVP! Lol