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James Harden Says He Will Be Better Defensive Player

By Bryan Rose

Apr 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) following the end of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) following the end of the game against the Portland Trail Blazers in game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Richardson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Rockets guard and NBA All-Star James Harden says he’s now committed to playing better defense.

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There probably isn’t a bigger star in the NBA who plays worse defense than Houston Rockets guard James Harden.

The former Arizona State product is obviously one of the best offensive players in the league but when it comes to defense, it’s become embarrassingly bad. Things have become so rough the Houston Rockets allegedly asked James Harden to recommit on the defensive side of the ball which he says he’s planning to do this season.

For what it’s worth, James Harden told Sam Amick of USA Today that’s he’s not a poor defender, just that in the past he hasn’t given his full effort.

“It’s not a matter of whether I can or can’t play defense,” Harden stated. “It’s just a matter of me focusing for 48 minutes throughout a game and making sure that I’m always alert on both ends of the floor … It’s up to me to go out there and show my leadership, to show that I can play both ends of the floor at a high level and just do it. If I have that approach, we’re going to go a long ways.”

It probably would have been better for Harden to admit that he was woeful on the defense end as most probably aren’t going to look too kindly Harden essentially admitting he wasn’t giving a full effort.

Still, it should be interesting to see just how truly committed James Harden is to becoming a better defender. It would certainly be a major boost for the Houston Rockets on that side of the floor, though you wonder how it would impact his offensive game.

So many times we see star offensive players take defensive plays off or simply guard the least offensively talented player on the opposition to preserve their energy. Will that be something the Houston Rockets do with James Harden or will they let him attempt to ball out on defense?

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