Rockets
Rockets PG Chris Paul says defenders have to be ‘disciplined’ to guard James Harden
Houston Rockets All-Star point guard Chris Paul says defenders have to be “disciplined” to guard superstar shooting guard James Harden.
Harden gets to the free-throw line at will. A lot of people complain that The Beard flops a lot, but Paul disagrees and says his backcourt mate just understands the game very well.
Chris Paul: “I think a lot of times people complain about the free-throws and all that, but (James Harden) knows the game. This is a game that we play, and you have to be disciplined. When he goes and puts the ball out like that, you have to keep your hands in.”
— Alykhan Bijani (@Rockets_Insider) March 23, 2019
James Harden is averaging 11.2 free-throws (9.9 makes) per game this season. The reigning MVP leads the league in free-throws and free-throw attempts.
The scoring tear which Harden has been on this season has been spectacular. Sure, the seven-time All-Star does score a lot from the free-throw line, but let’s not act like Harden isn’t a monster from the field as well.
While averaging 36.5 points per game, Harden is shooting 43.8 percent from the floor, 36.3 percent from beyond the arc and 87.8 percent from the free-throw line. He has two games of 61 points and six games of at least 50 points.
Chris Paul is one of the best one-on-one defenders in the game and sees Harden in practice every day. The Rockets’ floor general knows better than anyone what it takes to guard Harden and make things difficult for him.
But at this point, there really isn’t anything a team can do to stop Harden. He’s just been in a zone all season.
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