Somehow James Harden gets All-Star gig teaching kids defense
Oh boy, James Harden had to know this was going to make the Internet rounds. He might want to get defensive on this one. Not known for his defense on the court, Harden was supposed to be teaching young players defensive basketball at an All-Star Weekend event. Based on the video below, rather than teaching a drill, it looks like he's simply watching a bunch of youngsters dribbling while taking an occasional lackadaisical swipe.
So ... basically like in a real game ... Ba da bing!
James Harden teaching defense........ #rockets pic.twitter.com/JXGpnsHwCA
— JRSportBrief (@JRSportBrief) February 12, 2016
Now look, its not like the Houston Rockets' 27-28 record and ninth-place standing at the All-Star break is all because Harden doesn't play good defense. It is true that the Rockets' defensive rating when Harden is off the floor is more than four points per 100 possessions lower than when Harden is playing. However, Houston's offensive efficiency is more than five points per 100 possessions better when he's on the floor as opposed to off, so the Rockets would certainly rather have Harden on the floor.
Two years ago, Harden's defense was like the swinging gate you see in that video clip, and even he couldn't do much else besides poke fun at his own shortcomings with those very funny "I'm never defensive" commercials for Foot Locker.
He even spoke about the rampant criticism of defensive efforts prior to the 2014-15 season. He put in the work and last year he and the Rockets were roundly praised for their efforts. In fact, they finished sixth in the league in defensive rating, allowing 100.5 points per 100 possessions, after finishing 12th (103.1) in 2013-14.
This season the Rockets are just playing lousy defense as a whole. They rank 26th in the league in defensive efficiency (106.4). Only the Nets, Suns and Lakers are worse, and you know what they have in common with the Rockets? They're not in playoff position either.
And that's something Harden should really get defensive about.
