Harden has been very unstable this season, during Durant's absence, Harden played well, but after Durant and Irving returned, Harden began to slump again. Harden played badly in a strong conversation against the Bucks, scoring just 16 points, 9 boards and 7 assists, delivering 5 turnovers, and shooting 6-of-15. He had a sluggish performance in the first half, and although he scored 10 points in the third quarter, it was a pity that the Nets gave up the game early in the final quarter, and the Nets had no choice but to lose. Harden did not play the performance of the giants, the Bucks 3 people scored 20+, while the Nets only had Durant, Harden did not give Durant more help.
Irving was not there, nor was Holliday on the opponent's side, and I thought Harden could play a wonderful performance, but I didn't expect him to play badly in the first half. Without Holliday to limit you, Harden can't play? Harden, is this with Durant dependence? With Durant in place, Harden became unable to play. In the first half, Harden shot the iron many times, and even when Durant went down to rest and Harden personally led the team, he did not stand up and score. Harden's initiative is even worse than Thomas, when the Nets are behind, Thomas still dares to fight and help the Nets chase points, but Harden has no performance.
Harden also repeatedly hit the basket, trying to create a foul, the result of the referee did not blow, Harden is also a two-handed stall, helpless, the Bucks immediately counterattacked to score. Durant is not there, Harden is still playing like this, obviously not ok, and the point difference is also opening. Later, Durant came back to take over the game and tried to chase points. But Harden always wants to break through to create fouls, and finally the breakthrough has fallen to the ground, taking over the referee or ignoring you. It's hard to score by foul, and Harden is obviously not good at attacking like this. Alphabet brothers have not made much effort, the Nets are behind double digits, Harden is not able to stand up, this time there is no Owen.
Harden undoubtedly understood this, so in the third quarter, Harden finally stepped forward, the outside three points can hit, and many times broke through the layup to score, Harden's breakthrough finally got the whistle. But the Nets' defensive problems were not solved, making it too easy for the Bucks to score, and harden, although scoring, did not have many assists, many mistakes, too many mistakes. The Bucks are still widening the points gap, and even though Durant is working, the Nets are still big behind. Harden's performance is still not aggressive enough, and he needs to be more open to play. But helplessly, Harden did not shoot again in the last quarter, and Nash saw that the score was still pulling, and could only give up the game early.
Judging from the performance of this season, Harden and Durant are not as well matched as imagined, and the chemistry between the two is not good. When Durant is not there, Harden can single-handedly lead the team to break out, and when Durant returns, Harden becomes unable to play. In the playoffs, Harden faced the Bucks frequent downturn, this time the regular season encountered, Harden is still not good, you can't fight a hard battle! If Irving had been there, the Nets' offense would have been much better, but unfortunately Irving was not there. Such a game is reminiscent of last season, and the Nets are also out of the game because of the lack of Irving.
And Harden needs to learn to play with Durant, and the chemistry between the two is really not as good as Curry. At that time, Curry and Durant combined to form the most threatening double giants in the alliance, but now Harden and Durant rarely break out at the same time. The cooperation between the two is still too little, and the previous Curry is willing to block Durant, willing to play without the ball, willing to run all the time. But is Harden willing? Harden is too "lazy" to play, and when he does not have the ball in his hand, he is not willing to move more. Harden's style of play is only suitable for single-core teaming, and it is not suitable for playing in groups like this now. The Nets want to go further, and Harden undoubtedly needs to change this style of play.