[SportingNews]James Harden's new offensive weapon that no one is talking about

Where do they get that stat from? I didn't notice them cite it from anywhere.

 

Harden's floater looks awkward and odd, but it's effective and we've had the pleasure of seeing him use it more and more as the season goes on.

I'm also glad that he brought back the mid-range stepback from the 14-15 season...an already unguardable player adding (and re-integrating) elements to his offense should have the rest of the league pissing themselves.

 

It should get even better with greater use. The floater that he hit to end the game against OKC was a real beauty. Kudos to you, for mentioning the mid-range step back. It helped us out with the shot clock running down against the Utah Jazz. They weren't expecting it.

 

Rafer would love to see that tear drop.

 

It’s actually great that it’s unorthodox because it confuses defenses. You literally don’t know until the ball is mid air whether it’s a floater or a lob to Capela.

 

Yeah man, that midrange stepback is lethal.

 

Nice read. Thanks @Invisible Fan

 

Float like a butterfly, Sting like the beard.

 

Yeah he's been killing it with the floater the last few weeks. It really can be huge when there's too much traffic around the rim. He really does try to shore up any potential offensive weaknesses.

The mid-range step back is also a weapon that he needs to go to more often in crunch time. Over the course of the first 46 minutes the step back 3 has the math advantage, but late in the game when 2 points is critical it's a better shot.

 

I didn't even think of it that way. When Capela gets back, with James' new and improved floater in his arsenal, players like Rudy Gobert or KAT will have no answer whatsoever.

 

More often than not, Harden's teammates re-gift the ball to the other team, in the form of a brick. If only the others could hit at a consistent rate.

 

Is there a shot he isn’t proficient at?

Basically the only thing he doesn’t do is try to low post anybody, which would be like completely unsurprising to see him develop. In spurts it could be a good way to get him going, or to save some legs or to just get a couple buckets, give the defense yet another worry. I wouldn’t want to see a lot of it because the majesty of Harden right now is working off the 3pt line. Although, what pitcher needs a 6th pitch lol....this guy is too damn good.

 

Good to see someone else notice. The floater is not awkward and is getting better by the day. It also will prolong his career as the plowing into the big guys who half the time get away with just bashing him to the floor without a foul being called must take its toll.

 

Another weapon is use his gut and butt to bang with Centers and bigs.

 

I actually almost made a thread about this shot last week. He doesn't use it often, but he definitely brings it out when the 3 isn't falling and they're taking away the layup. I almost wish he would shoot it more just to keep the defense guessing, but I suppose it's a lower percentage shot if the layup is there.

 

He tends to use that only when he rebounds a layup he misses. If Harden was 3 inches taller and 30 pounds heavier Lebron would go down in bball history as a poor mans' Harden.

 

You know, I've noticed that floater but really hadn't thought much about it. But now that I think on it he's right; that's yet another new weapon for Harden.

How did he win MVP last year and come back even better with MULTIPLE new moves we've never seen him do before? The step back is on a new level. The side step is brand new. And now I'm realizing the floater is a new weapon he's been utilizing to great success.

I'm really starting to wonder if he isn't the greatest Rocket ever. I hesitate to say that because Hakeem is god. But I'm not sure it's even fair to compare him to Hakeem because Hakeem played in an era in which the best teams MIGHT have a superstar duo. Jordan & Pippen, Stockton & Malone, Kevin Johnson and Barkley, Shaq & Penny. Etc.

Harden is playing in an era in which the Warriors are literally running out five All-Stars as starters. Last year it was four. The few years before that it was three.

I don't know, man. Hakeem is legendary and his legacy is sacred but Harden is not of this world either. It's really becoming a discussion worth having.

 

I was talking about Harden's floater a few games ago. *wraps self in smug blanket* *is still so cold...and alone*

Harden's a total offensive player. Total. He has the tool to best you, person trying to guard him. Pick a god and pray.

Seriously, everyone on the team needs a floater. It's one of the hardest shots in the game to defend. If you have open space between the free throw line and the arc under the basket, and you pass out to the three-point line (as I've seen plenty of our guys do), I hate you for that. FLOAT IT IN.