It's not that the Hornets are too strong, but the Nets are really not good enough, Durant's 38-point output is still a death performance, but Joe Harris is not playing as well as Ade, how can the Nets win? Of course, there is also the second giant harden of the Nets, as a former MVP and scoring king, the beginning of the season in the three games, Harden's data performance is indeed a little embarrassing, averaging 18.3 points per game, and the gap between 36.1 points and 34.3 points per game in a single season is too obvious, from harden scoring like the era of probing, but only a year or two ago, I believe this is not Harden's problem, but other factors, so that Harden's current offense and scoring have become somewhat difficult.
The Nets lost to the Hornets game, Durant 38 points, Harden is 16 shots 6 cut 15 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, while 8 turnovers and 5 fouls, Harden can say that the game is very messy, although the data is very comprehensive, but Harden's offensive efficiency is very low, the assist-to-error ratio is also very high, the defense is also struggling because of 5 fouls, this is not our familiar Harden, the most unfamiliar is that Harden actually has only one free throw opportunity in the whole game, if this is just an accidental phenomenon can be understood, The performance of Harden in this game is not very good, the problem is that Harden has actually averaged 3 free throws per game so far this season, it is incredible, Harden once averaged 11.8 free throws per game in a single season, and the average number of free throws per game was double-double, and now Harden, who has averaged 3 free throws per game, has been beaten back to his original form?
Now people are ridiculing about "Harden without free throws", and at the same time the league's new rules have been taken out to say things, Harden has become a typical case, after losing to the Hornets, Harden was also asked in an interview about the impact of the new rules on him, Harden said toughly: fouls are fouls, this is not an excuse and it is very difficult to have a stigma.
To put it simply, Harden does not want to be caught up in the negative teaching materials of the new rules, and his play style is indeed limited by the new rules, unless Harden can adapt to it earlier. In the face of Harden's problem of not getting the whistle, netizens also frantically ridiculed that "from now on, there will never be a game of 9 shots and 27 points." Harden used to be able to score in double figures with free throws, and now Harden wants to play like this, it may be a little difficult.
Rather than the question of whether Harden can create a foul, I am more inclined to the view of another netizen: the biggest impact of the new rules on Harden is not that he can no longer create fouls, but that defenders will no longer dare to force him because they are afraid of making fouls.
Yes, we look back at harden's single season average free throw double era, Harden was also named the strongest player in history, even Chris Paul once thought in the post-game interview that Harden may be the strongest player in history, the famous Barkley said that Harden is the strongest player in history 1V1 single-handed, it can be seen that following the previous blow penalty rules, Harden always can make the opponent feel desperate when holding the ball, not on the defensive intensity, Harden can play very easily, on the defensive intensity, Harden can stand on the free throw line, This eventually led to some bizarre defensive images in the league.
The funniest thing is Snyder's defensive strategy for Harden, Rubio goes around the back defense, ending Harden's retreat, while avoiding Rubio being fouled by Harden, almost using the tactic of abandoning the defense of Harden, luring Harden to attack the penalty area and then surround Harden.
The most helpless thing is the Lakers' defensive strategy, James and others have to take a passive defensive action against Harden, they actually put their hands behind their backs to defend Harden, which is really funny.
Now with the new NBA regulations, Harden's opportunities and space for making fouls have become narrow, but it does not mean that Harden cannot create fouls, but Harden needs to adapt to the new rules, but Harden wants to continue to be able to slash 27 points in a single game of 9 shots and 2 in a single game as before, and it has really become a thing of the past, and the title of the strongest offensive player in history can only be hehe, it is no longer the standard of Harden's domination game.
In short, Harden, who averages 3 free throws per game, does not have the previous offensive threat, those defenders who face Harden, no longer tied their hands and feet, dare not dare to defend Harden,If Harden cannot adapt to the intensity of defense, then oh, Harden in the regular season is really going to become Harden in the playoffs, dominance will be greatly reduced, whether Harden is a superstar, the top three in the history of scoring guards, will be greatly tested.