James Harden is known for his deadly step-back move, but it has already received mixed reactions from fans and players over the past several years. And on Monday night, the Houston Rockets guard stirred controversy anew with the vaunted move.
Harden tried to evade Utah Jazz guard Ricky Rubio with a step-back. However, based on how it looks, it seems there is something wrong with the move. The reigning Most Valuable Player did a double step-back, and appears to travel without the referees calling it.
“It looked like he did two step backs.”
pic.twitter.com/k0V0AQLStB
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) December 18, 2018
The move gained a lot of reactions online. Denver Nuggets guard Isaiah Thomas had an interesting take on it. The former All-Star was surprised by the non-call, and added that he will be unguardable if the referees will allow such move in the league.
.@isaiahthomas had something to say about the Harden step-back video
— ESPN (@espn) December 18, 2018
Rubio was also asked about the controversial step-back jumper. The Spanish point guard did not give a direct answer, but pointed out that most fans can tell whether or not it is a legal move.
“You watch the play? What do you think?” Rubio told reporters via ESPN. “I’m not going to answer, but I think 100 percent of the people know the answer.”
James Harden had another step-back jumper late in the game. But unlike the controversial move he had earlier in the match, the 29-year-old forward did it legally. The high-scoring guard used his lethal weapon to knock down a clutch three-pointer, which gave the Rockets a 102-97 lead with 13.3 seconds left to play en route to the win.
The Harden stepback that gave him 47 PTS on the night!#Rockets pic.twitter.com/FLviQ1efZ0
— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2018
Harden ended up with 47 points and six rebounds to go along with five assists and five steals. The Rockets have now won their last four games. Houston is now 15-14 this season, slowly recovering from a dismal 1-5 start, and are now 10th in the Western Conference standings.
The post Isaiah Thomas reacts to James Harden’s double step-back move appeared first on ClutchPoints.
