How did James Harden go from scrub defender to a great one?

[Eric Cartman]

In just 1 year? Rockets fans can enlighten me on this fact. We see many horrible defenders, even if they're stars like Carmelo Anthony, improve little to none on the defensive side of the ball. This is why James Harden blows my mind.

Dude is everywhere, passing lanes, blocking shots, locking up his man. It would make sense if he focused all of his energy on that side of the ball, but 95% of the offense is carried on his shoulder. It would also make sense if you say he has a elite defensive big man down low, but Howard has been injured most of the season and Harden's defense hasn't missed a beat.

Rockets fans, am I missing something here? Did the team USA experience have that much of an impact on him?

[JohnFreeman]

Great defender?

[Milbuck]

http://i.imgur.com/90U6Oi4.gif

[navy]

James Harden was bad at defense because of effort and the fact that he goes through these weird mental lapse where he literally forgets he's on the court.

Usually bad defenders are just legitimately bad at defense for physical purposes. Shorts arms. Weak. Cant move fast laterally. Slow reaction time. No hops.
Harden has none of these deficits.

[Spurs m8]

He didn't

Lock Thread

Cheers

[greatest-ever]

He went from a very bad defender to an average one. It isn't a big deal.

[Eric Cartman]

He went from a very bad defender to an average one. It isn't a big deal.

Not a big deal!?

http://new3.fjcdn.com/comments/Not+a+big+deal+huh+grab+your+coat+i+m+about+_b9089 b6ab0b108609ccb92c75f67b951.jpg

[theaussieguy]

its why he should never get an MVP, opposing shooting guards go to TOWN on his weak pudgy ass.

[RightToCensor]

Effort

[bobopenguin]

there's only one great one. use ur word carefully.

http://cdn1.sciencefiction.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/The-Rock-wwe-champion-hd-wallpapers.jpg.jpeg

[poido123]

:roll: :roll:



I can't....:roll:

[ABfor3]

Hes a good defender but not a great one..he just didn't give effort in that end of the game last year

[JebronLames]

Improved conditioning

[bballbball]

I think he always had the capability, it was just effort and focus. Didn't he lock Kobe down in that one Lakers-OKC series? Kobe said he was probably the main reason they lost that series.

[Bandito]

I think he always had the capability, it was just effort and focus. Didn't he lock Kobe down in that one Lakers-OKC series? Kobe said he was probably the main reason they lost that series.
Lock down Kobe? Are you retarded? Harden was bad at defense that year too. He was just a beast from downtown and feast on the perimeter of the Lakers.

[ronnymac]

He has elite win share ratios on defense. He might not be a lockdown defender, but he is a good one these days. He actually tries now.

[iamgine]

Whats his defense comparable to these days? Tayshaun Prince? Guy's still a good defender right?

[stephanieg]

Harden improved because the viral Youtube video embarrassed him nationally. He thought he could coast.

[BlazerRed]

Harden actually showed flashes of great defense in OKC. I remember him shutting out Kobe in pivotal parts of a couple games when the Lakers were still actually good. His problem was always effort.