James Harden: The Step Back King

Harden's step back looks to be vastly improved. I'm diggin' it!

 

borrowed this from another thread @justtxyank

 

It's freaking beautiful.

I've said it multiple game threads now, but if Harden is going to be a good-great 3 point shooter this year it isn't going to be fair to the NBA. When he his hitting a high clip of 3s the Rockets just drown teams.

 

curryesque

 

He's 21 of 38 on step-back 3 pointers this season.

 

That's just insane. I hope it's a long time before he comes down to earth. Like maybe next July. The guy looks to be in the best shape of his career and he's really having a great time. Hell, everyone looks like they're having fun. Ariza has a grin on his face half the time that I don't remember seeing before. I don't know what's going on, but it looks like it's contagious. Maybe it's CP3 Disease? This ride is getting ridiculously far out. This is special.

 

9.8% of his 3-pt attempts are "wide-open" (defender 6+ feet away) this season, and he's shooting 43.6% on those wide-open attempts. Last season it was ~5%. It will probably trend higher with CP3 back in the lineup. He's also taking some Ryan Anderson/GorDon-esque 3s as well, so that's part of it as well.

31.4% of his attempts so far have been "open" (4-6 feet), and he's shooting 45.6% (2.9-6.3). Only 19.9% of his 3s were "open" last season (1.4-3.8)

https://stats.nba.com/players/shots-closest-defender-10/?sort=PLAYER_LAST_TEAM_ABBREVIATION&dir=-1&Season=2016-17&SeasonType=Regular Season&CloseDefDistRange=4-6 Feet - Open

 

whats the stats after Indiana game?

 

According to the NBA, 21 of 39. However, I remember seeing a step-back during the Indiana highlights.

Here are the official details from the last game.

http://stats.nba.com/player/201935/shooting/?Season=2017-18&SeasonType=Regular Season&LastNGames=1

 

He's got a lateral version of it as well when he's on the wings/corners that effectively clear the same space for him. I recall at least one of those in those 3 he hit in a row in the 3rdQ but those might not be counted as a 'step-back'. Either way the footwork on display every night is amazing.

 

I love his step sideways... Do those get lumped into this step back category?

 

There is the answer right there.

He's been one of the best spot up 3pt shooters in the game for a while he just didn't get many.

Now he's getting double than usual and his % is at 40% rather than 35%.

 

Rocket River

 

I think it has . . . . .. *grin*

Rocket River