James Harden's comments on Giannis game: "takes no skill"

[tpols]

"I wish I could be 7-feet, run and just dunk. That takes no skill at all," Harden said. "I gotta actually learn how to play basketball and how to have skill. I'll take that any day."


link (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2878413-james-harden-on-giannis-wish-i-could-be-7-feet-tall-and-dunk-takes-no-skill)


Womp womp....

Where's blaze at?

[MaxPlayer]

Basketball isn't golf or darts. Raw athletic ability is equally important as skill.

[ROCSteady]

he's mad that Giannis will see the Finals as the main guy before him

[Kblaze8855]

You need me to come explain why people with beef don’t make rational observations?

Obviously if genetics and lifting weights could make you Giannis his 2 brothers would be what he is. You need it all.

You really gonna spend the next 10-12 years as one of those idiots who pretending Shaq wasn’t good because he needed his physical gifts to dominate?

Why you’re good and being good are not the same thing. You called a soon to be back to back mvp bad at the game. It’s moronic and that’s all there is to it.

Youre gonna watch people dribble and shoot better while being worse for a long time. James Harden being one of them largely because basketball is still being played when you don’t have the ball. But somehow you shoehorn a total disregard of defense into the idea that you are a serious basketball fan so....this really isn’t going anywhere.

[LoneyROY7]

You need me to come explain why people with beef don’t make rational observations?

Obviously if genetics and lifting weights could make you Giannis his 2 brothers would be what he is. You need it all.

You really gonna spend the next 10-12 years as one of those idiots who pretending Shaq wasn’t good because he needed his physical gifts to dominate?

Why you’re good and being good are not the same thing. You called a soon to be back to back mvp bad at the game. It’s moronic and that’s all there is to it.

Youre gonna watch people dribble and shoot better while being worse for a long time. James Harden being one of them largely because basketball is still being played when you don’t have the ball. But somehow you shoehorn a total disregard of defense into the idea that you are a serious basketball fan so....this really isn’t going anywhere.

Total disregard for defense, huh?

Harden has been a very good defender this season. Top 50 in the league in DRPM. The best statistical post defender per possession in basketball.

Giannis has 57 blocks this season. Harden has 52.

:oldlol::oldlol:

[Kblaze8855]

Not Hardens disregard Tpols. Harden vs Giannis on D isnt a serious discussion.

[Bronbron23]

link (https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2878413-james-harden-on-giannis-wish-i-could-be-7-feet-tall-and-dunk-takes-no-skill)


Womp womp....

Where's blaze at? one of the worst takes ive ever seen from someone like harden who obviously knows the game. Him and anyone else who believes this is underestimating how difficult it is for a 7 footers to do the things that smaller people do. Greek is extremely skilled given his height and length.

All harden did here was make himself look stupid. You did the same by agreeing :facepalm

[Phoenix]

Shots fired.


YJames Harden being one of them largely because basketball is still being played when you don’t have the ball.

:lebronamazed:

[tpols]

I just found it funny because he used the exact same verbiage I did when you and others were flipping out over it.

The shaq analogy is a poor one...saw that coming a mile away. Shaq was a very skilled center.

[juju151111]

Giannis is a very skilled player. Lmao why dont everyone get has big has him and do it who is 7ft? Why doesn't his brothers do it? Lmao

[iamgine]

It is true that Giannis and Shaq didn't have the skill that's even comparable to someone like Spencer Dinwiddie. Think about it, Dinwiddie shoot much better, pass much better, dribble much better. Almost everything that takes skill, Dinwiddie does better than peak Shaq. If Dinwiddie has Shaq's body while keeping his skills, he'd easily be GOAT. The key is, it's much much harder at Shaq's size to acquire those skills. So Harden, while technically correct, is incorrect in implying doing what Giannis does is easy.

[Kblaze8855]

You have had the argument 15 times of course you have seen Shaq mentioned.

You can bring it up 30 more times the idea that he’s bad at basketball simply can’t be defended. He’s simply too good far as defense and rebounding to be bad in total even if he couldn’t score 30 points a game. All you keep doing is showing you evaluate basketball like a child.

Theres never been a player as good on D as Giannis while being bad in total and very few of those who were as good on D could do what he does on offense. You make the list it’s first ballot hall of famers without exception.

You realized long ago your bad at basketball claim was stupid and not evaluating the total game you’re just too far down the rabbit hole to say so.

[tpols]

My comment was always in regards to the way they play offensively.

As is James hardens...

You just pivoted it to something else because you knew it was true.

[highwhey]

He's kind of right. Giannis fouls his way into the paint and the league lets him do it.

[Kblaze8855]

My comment was always in regards to the way they play offensively.

As is James hardens...

You just pivoted it to something else because you knew it was true.

No you simply said something stupid because you think like a 3rd grader watching Kyrie highlights not an adult evaluating basketball. I asked you how he could be bad in total considering D the first time and you simply kept at it. Acknowledging that when you say “bad at basketball” you don’t actually mean the game of basketball....you mean dribbling and shooting...makes it clear how shallow your evaluation was to begin with.

I didn’t need to pivot. You said basketball. I talked basketball...you now pivot to not meaning total basketball to begin with. I never changed a thing. I took your words to mean what they did and explained to you how much of an idiot you were being.

The change has been made by you.....because there is no way to keep up your true fan persona while claiming you actually believe he’s bad at basketball. You mean he’s bad at offense. Almost equally idiotic but a very different statement.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

First Giannis said he wanted passers on his All Star team. That's a shot. Harden might "over dribble" but he definitely passes. After the ASG, though, Giannis said they went at whoever Harden was guarding lol

I mean...Harden had to clap back right?

[RRR3]

No you simply said something stupid because you think like a 3rd grader watching Kyrie highlights not an adult evaluating basketball. I asked you how he could be bad in total considering D the first time and you simply kept at it. Acknowledging that when you say “bad at basketball” you don’t actually mean the game of basketball....you mean dribbling and shooting...makes it clear how shallow your evaluation was to begin with.

I didn’t need to pivot. You said basketball. I talked basketball...you now pivot to not meaning total basketball to begin with. I never changed a thing. I took your words to mean what they did and explained to you how much of an idiot you were being.

The change has been made by you.....because there is no way to keep up your true fan persona while claiming you actually believe he’s bad at basketball. You mean he’s bad at offense. Almost equally idiotic but a very different statement.
:roll: :roll: :roll:

Never seen ttrolls summed up so perfectly.

[BigShotBob]

The audacity.

[meat]

First Giannis said he wanted passers on his All Star team. That's a shot. Harden might "over dribble" but he definitely passes. After the ASG, though, Giannis said they went at whoever Harden was guarding lol

I mean...Harden had to clap back right?

Exactly. Let's not overthink things. Giannis disrespected him on national TV. He had to respond.
Harden being 10th in assists kinda makes Giannis "joke" stupid anyways.

[bigkingsfan]

Never heard of trash talking eh.

[imdaman99]

Team Harden checking in :pimp:

*** Giannis. Don't even know how to say his last name.

[tpols]

We saw it in the all star game too fellas.

How pathetic team giannis was at trying to score when both teams actually started playing in the 4th. The man was running wild until a wall was built around the only area he can score in.

Meanwhile harden hit the gamewinner.

Ain't nobody counting that Lowry flop. Or the anticlimatic ending.

Skill baby. Respeck it.

[Mr Feeny]

Is Harden insane? Giannis is a much better player - both offensively and especially defensively - than Harden is.

And it most definitely does take skill to be a man that size who can move the way Giannis does.

I'm not sure who Harden is trying to convince here. The general public or himself. He comes across as bitter.

[Meticode]

Giannis has 57 blocks this season. Harden has 52.

:oldlol::oldlol:

Interesting. Giannis still has more blocks, while playing almost 400 less minutes over the course of the season than Harden. 1606 minutes played for Giannis this season compared to Harden's 2020 minutes.

[Meticode]

First Giannis said he wanted passers on his All Star team. That's a shot. Harden might "over dribble" but he definitely passes. After the ASG, though, Giannis said they went at whoever Harden was guarding lol

I mean...Harden had to clap back right?
Giannis was just clapping back from what Harden said last season when he said Giannis MVP was media driven.

[Mr Feeny]

Interesting. Giannis still has more blocks, while playing almost 400 less minutes over the course of the season than Harden. 1606 minutes played for Giannis this season compared to Harden's 2020 minutes.


It's such a stupid statement either way. Basketball is much more than just blocks even though - as you pointed out - Giannis is a much better shot blocker than Harden is.

Giannis is a much better on ball defender, off ball defender, and shot blocker. He is much better at anchoring a defense.

[Meticode]

It's such a stupid statement either way. Basketball is much more than just blocks even though - as you pointed out - Giannis is a much better shot blocker than Harden is.

Giannis is a much better on ball defender, off ball defender, and shot blocker. He is much better at anchoring a defense.

In the end it's just two players being butt hurt. Harden's salty over Giannis' MVP last year feeling it was "media driven". And Giannis is salty because Harden felt he didn't deserve the MVP. It's obvious Giannis has put in hard work over the course of his career and still does. So he probably felt disrespected when Harden said that. Did we all really think that this 19 year old 5 years ago was going to be averaging 30/13/5/1/1? Probably not. 7 feet, athletic and long only gets so you far.

[Smook A.]

Is Harden insane? Giannis is a much better player - both offensively and especially defensively - than Harden is.

And it most definitely does take skill to be a man that size who can move the way Giannis does.

I'm not sure who Harden is trying to convince here. The general public or himself. He comes across as bitter.
Are you slow or something? Did you not see the shots Giannis threw at Harden? Harden has every right to clap back. First Giannis said he wanted a passer, so he picked Kemba over Harden. Harden is a much better passer than Kemba is. Right after the ASG, Giannis said his team was trying to pass it to the player that was being guarded by Harden towards the end of the game when it was close. Guess what? Harden stopped whoever he guarded

Don’t come around here and say Harden sounds bitter when Giannis is the one who threw the shots first and honestly they were really petty

[warriorfan]

It’s always been recognized as guards being more skilled. It’s math, there is a lot bigger of a pool to be selected from when you are 6 to 6’6” tall. You are going to have to be more skilled to make it. However the evolution of big skilled players has come along way, not saying there weren’t skilled bigs in the past, but it’s safe to say there are more today. The other part about this that is pretty funny is that Harden isnt exactly a slouch athletically himself.

[Smook A.]

Giannis was just clapping back from what Harden said last season when he said Giannis MVP was media driven.

He didn’t specifically say Giannis’ MVP was media driven. He was saying that in general, which is right. Before the 2018-19 season even started, look what Zach Lowe said about Harden. He said now that he finally has his MVP, the voters won’t care to give him another one

[tpols]

Are you slow or something? Did you not see the shots Giannis threw at Harden? Harden has every right to clap back. First Giannis said he wanted a passer, so he picked Kemba over Harden. Harden is a much better passer than Kemba is. Right after the ASG, Giannis said his team was trying to pass it to the player that was being guarded by Harden towards the end of the game when it was close. Guess what? Harden stopped whoever he guarded

Don’t come around here and say Harden sounds bitter when Giannis is the one who threw the shots first and honestly they were really petty


and the ultimate irony was kemba was straight garbage in the 4th, with team G spotted a big lead.

They wouldve won if they had harden.

[Derka]

He's kind of right. Harden fouls his way into the paint and the league lets him do it.
This statement is equally true.

[DCL]

@3:12


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReYDA5CKzoM&feature=youtu.be&t=192

[Tking714]

Exactly. Understanding and using length(and positions on the court to utilize it in) is a skill; otherwise Javale Mcgee would be the goat. But Javale plays hunched over like he's no taller than 6'1" sometimes, and is never in the right spots.

Understanding his length is why Kawhi is so good. He realizes he's only 6'7" but essentially 7'2" with his arms.

[sdot_thadon]

Not sure I'll ride with the no skill commentary, but in relation to what Harden has developed? Sure. And Giannis pretty much was asking for this with his previous jabs. Crazy shit not many will realize is big ball handlers got a huge pass a few years back. There was a season where i recall Kd being called for carrys like all big guys attempting to do too much with the ball did, Giannis faced a similar struggle. Once the refs respect them enough to let that slide their games and profiles flourished as a result......just an honest opinion from an anonymous observer.

[Kblaze8855]

I’ve said for years much of the supposed improvement in big man handles is allowing them to carry to change direction. There arent 5 guys Giannis or Durants length with tight enough handle to not carry. You have like....Tmac, maybe Lamar Odom, Darius Miles perhaps....add Grant Hill if we count him. Joe Johnson for sure. And most of those guys aren’t the full 6’10” KD and Giannis are.

Its tough....but it is what it is. The nba looks the other way on big guard handles....and let’s Harden do literally whatever he wants. Don’t like it....but that’s the game now.

[CelticBaller]

he's right

[Meticode]

I’ve said for years much of the supposed improvement in big man handles is allowing them to carry to change direction. There arent 5 guys Giannis or Durants length with tight enough handle to not carry. You have like....Tmac, maybe Lamar Odom, Darius Miles perhaps....add Grant Hill if we count him. Joe Johnson for sure. And most of those guys aren’t the full 6’10” KD and Giannis are.

Its tough....but it is what it is. The nba looks the other way on big guard handles....and let’s Harden do literally whatever he wants. Don’t like it....but that’s the game now.

Paul George, Ben Simmons, Karl Anthony-Towns...probably could throw Blake Griffin in there, he's probably a hair under 6'10".

[Kblaze8855]

Yea I’ll throw George and Ben in there though Ben doesn’t do the kind of moves that often require quick changes in the half court. He Magic Johnsons it a bit.

[Pipes2.0]

I disagree with Harden. It definitely takes a lot of skill to do what Giannis is doing. But he has to respond to Anus' obvious hate. :confusedshrug:
And I disagree with Anus too. Harden is a hellova passer and man to man defender.

Beef between players is always welcome in this buddy buddy league.

[Kblaze8855]

I don’t think he means Harden can’t pass. I think he means:



https://thumbs.gfycat.com/FloweryNeighboringFrillneckedlizard-size_restricted.gif





isn’t fun to play with.

I assume most would agree. The rockets don’t seem like a fun environment to play in like the Bucks do.

[Manny98]

I don't think they have actual beef, they're just trolling eachother because they know social media will eat it up

[meat]

I don’t think he means Harden can’t pass. I think he means:



https://thumbs.gfycat.com/FloweryNeighboringFrillneckedlizard-size_restricted.gif





isn’t fun to play with.

I assume most would agree. The rockets don’t seem like a fun environment to play in like the Bucks do.

He created about 5-6 feet of separation there. This doesn't happen every play. You mofos don't even watch the Rockets/ Just cherry pick gifs from the internet. Anyways I'd love to get paid millions to watch him do all that work. MFers act like he's a ball hog and any one else could do it. People hate on Harden because nobody's ever seen anything like him and he broke this silly ass game. I know I know ... wait til playoffs. I get it. But Harden is a unique talent and I've never heard anything about his teammates having a problem with him.

Please provide a citation where someone doesn't like playing with Harden. Never heard anything like that.

[fourkicks44]

Harden says he doesn't see any other play get double teamed?

Obviously he is not very observant.

[imdaman99]

The rockets don’t seem like a fun environment to play in like the Bucks do.

Pocket Rockets are playing kinda like the Bucks with Westbrook playing the Giannis role. 4 shooters and Russ attacks. Rockets are hella fun since, tune into a game or 2 some time.

[tontoz]

Very cringeworthy comment. There have been plenty of tall/athletic guys who weren't in the same zip code as Giannis.

His ball handing is seriously underrated. Being able to weave through a crowded lane and get to the rim over and over absolutely takes a lot of skill. He also seems to be developing a midrange game this year

Also let's not overlook how much time he put in the gym to build up his body. He came into the league skinny af.

Wow i just noticed he is averaging 16 rebounds per 36. :bowdown:

[Kblaze8855]

I’m always amazed when people think other fans don’t see incredibly popular players play. The rockets are on all the time. And two of their next 3 games are national big time matchups. I see the rockets all the time. They don’t entertain me.....but they exist on my tv. Talking about cherry picking gifs from the internet like I’m not the one making them.

If there is anyone to go all “You don’t see them play!” on it damn sure isn’t James Harden.

Shit like that belongs in a Joe Ingles discussion or something. No real basketball fan doesn’t see James Harden all the time.

[imdaman99]

It wasn't about whether you have watched the Rockets play. It was all about their recent game plan... which is similar to the Bucks. Giannis with 4 shooters around him, Westbrook with 4 shooters around him.

https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/35/44/18995507/3/gallery_medium.jpg

[meat]

I’m always amazed when people think other fans don’t see incredibly popular players play. The rockets are on all the time. And two of their next 3 games are national big time matchups. I see the rockets all the time. They don’t entertain me.....but they exist on my tv. Talking about cherry picking gifs from the internet like I’m not the one making them.

If there is anyone to go all “You don’t see them play!” on it damn sure isn’t James Harden.

Shit like that belongs in a Joe Ingles discussion or something. No real basketball fan doesn’t see James Harden all the time.

James Harden can put up some of the worst games you've ever seen in your life as we know
but he is fun to watch in my opinion. Partially for that reason.
He doesn't make any damn sense.

/And the whole defense narrative died about 4 years ago and was fueled
by one you tube video. he's not the best but he's doing ok

[Kblaze8855]

I suppose it depends how recent you mean.
Not like I track it but looking at it I’ve seen all or some of 8-9 games of theirs lately. They have a lot of matchups. I didn’t even realize how many till now but it does always seem there’s a rockets game on. And as I said they play the big ABC game tomorrow. And then they are on tnt vs the clippers. You can’t get away from rocket games.

[meat]

I suppose it depends how recent you mean.
Not like I track it but looking at it I’ve seen all or some of 8-9 games of theirs lately. They have a lot of matchups. I didn’t even realize how many till now but it does always seem there’s a rockets game on. And as I said they play the big ABC game tomorrow. And then they are on tnt vs the clippers. You can’t get away from rocket games.

Well they have 2 MVPs and they know irrational people like you will watch in hopes that if they suck
you'll have some ammo to say "told you so" on ISH tomorrow.

[Kblaze8855]

James Harden can put up some of the worst games you've ever seen in your life as we know
but he is fun to watch in my opinion. Partially for that reason.
He doesn't make any damn sense.

/And the whole defense narrative died about 4 years ago and was fueled
by one you tube video. he's not the best but he's doing ok


Hes not entertaining to me good game or bad. I just can’t get into 9 step back 3s. It just doesn’t interest me to watch. I watch it because it’s the nba but it bores the hell outta me. He’s taken it to such an extreme point the last 3 years or so I’ve lost a lot of the appreciation I had for him when he was first on the rockets and mixing it up a bit more attack wise.

Its just tough to enjoy no matter if he has 23 or 55.
19 threes, 10-13 step backs and 20 free throws really aren’t that unlikely and I’m just not gonna have a great time seeing that. If it works he’s right to do it....but I can’t make myself love it.

Its just not the game I learned to love.

[Kblaze8855]

Well they have 2 MVPs and they know irrational people like you will watch in hopes that if they suck
you'll have some ammo to say "told you so" on ISH tomorrow.


If you knew me you would know I’ve always supported Westbrook. And I’ve always watched everything nba related. And I don’t do too much “told you so” especially for some regular season game.

I think it’s funny to read Harden fans talk shit year after year then go ghost in the playoffs but that would be the case for anyone acting an ass and being proven wrong over and over and over and over.

[meat]

Hes not entertaining to me good game or bad. I just can’t get into 9 step back 3s. It just doesn’t interest me to watch. I watch it because it’s the nba but it bores the hell outta me. He’s taken it to such an extreme point the last 3 years or so I’ve lost a lot of the appreciation I had for him when he was first on the rockets and mixing it up a bit more attack wise.

Its just tough to enjoy no matter if he has 23 or 55.
19 threes, 10-13 step backs and 20 free throws really aren’t that unlikely and I’m just not gonna have a great time seeing that. If it works he’s right to do it....but I can’t make myself love it.

Its just not the game I learned to love.

It's silly. It's ugly. It's weird as hell but it is singularly unique. If it was that easy everyone would do it.

I hate the way the game has gone. I'm old. Grew up idolizing Hakeem, but the way things are going
is not James Harden's fault.

[Kblaze8855]

Who said it’s easy?

But a lot of difficult things are still boring to watch.

It’s not even threes. Steph Curry isn’t boring when he takes 15 threes. Neither is Lillard.

Harden is just....a mess. Great obviously....but that shit is just brutal to sit and watch. And I’ve read more than once he doesn’t even disagree. He plays to the system Mike asks him to...but he’d like to mix it up a bit. And I believe it.

[BigShotBob]

I’ve said for years much of the supposed improvement in big man handles is allowing them to carry to change direction. There arent 5 guys Giannis or Durants length with tight enough handle to not carry. You have like....Tmac, maybe Lamar Odom, Darius Miles perhaps....add Grant Hill if we count him. Joe Johnson for sure. And most of those guys aren’t the full 6’10” KD and Giannis are.

Its tough....but it is what it is. The nba looks the other way on big guard handles....and let’s Harden do literally whatever he wants. Don’t like it....but that’s the game now.

Penny never had to carry

[LoneyROY7]

It wasn't about whether you have watched the Rockets play. It was all about their recent game plan... which is similar to the Bucks. Giannis with 4 shooters around him, Westbrook with 4 shooters around him.

https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/10/35/44/18995507/3/gallery_medium.jpg

Correction.

Westbrook with 3 shooters and 1 Iso God around him.

:applause:

[Smoke117]

Correction.

Westbrook with 3 shooters and 1 Iso God around him.

:applause:

It must kill you to Harden isn't even the best player on his own team anymore. Westbrick has been far more impactful than your hero Haren since january :oldlol:

[Smook A.]

It must kill you to Harden isn't even the best player on his own team anymore. Westbrick has been far more impactful than your hero Haren since january :oldlol:

Who cares who the best player on the Rockets is. As long as Russ and Harden are balling every game, the role players show up, and the team stays healthy, I'm content. They've looked fantastic since switching to small-ball and I'm absolutely loving it. Harden looks to be out of his slump, and Russ continues to play at a very high level. It's great

[Axe]

In case the rockets don't get any deeper in the playoffs, does this mean that D'Antoni will be fired after the season?

[insidehoops]

Not used to hearing James Harden express a clear opinion on anything

[highwhey]

Not used to hearing James Harden express a clear opinion on anything

gotta ask the right questions man.

start with strip club recommendations.

[insidehoops]

gotta ask the right questions man.

start with strip club recommendations.


Ha, good suggestion

[LoneyROY7]

It must kill you to Harden isn't even the best player on his own team anymore. Westbrick has been far more impactful than your hero Haren since january :oldlol:

Remember when you said Westbrook wasn't gonna be succcessful in this offense during the off-season? Remember when you said he couldn't score in the halfcourt?

:oldlol::oldlol:

You're a f*cking idiot.

[sd3035]

James is finally figuring out how the world works

Good for him

[fourkicks44]

Who cares who the best player on the Rockets is. As long as Russ and Harden are balling every game, the role players show up, and the team stays healthy, I'm content. They've looked fantastic since switching to small-ball and I'm absolutely loving it. Harden looks to be out of his slump, and Russ continues to play at a very high level. It's great

Let's not pretend Covington is not the man and is not having a huge impact on the Rockets.

I seen him send Gobert's shit flying and the rest of the team stand around like little f@ggots in awe of defense the like they have never seen.

[fourkicks44]

https://youtu.be/pfyv4fN-m14

[tontoz]

In case the rockets don't get any deeper in the playoffs, does this mean that D'Antoni will be fired after the season?


Not exactly. Pretty sure this is the last year of his deal. If they flop in the playoffs they probably just let him walk.

[highwhey]

Giannis backing down like the little beta bitch he is. Harden must have struck a nerve.

Ha.

[tpols]

I wouldn't say giannis is a beta... He's actually got a G demeanor warrior like.

[Nike D'Antoni]

Its Giannis who started the trash talk,and taking cheap shots. So he had this coming to him

[Axe]

I think it started during the recent all-star game.