Fansided

25 athletes everyone hates (unless they’re on your team)

By Jeremy Lambert

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 3: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 3: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots stays loose on the sideline during NFL game action against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on December 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball against Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 23: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets dribbles the ball against Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter in Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2018 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

James Harden

James Harden is arguably the best offensive basketball player in the world. There is no denying that he’s the best isolation player in the world. He has all the moves. He can take you off the dribble and get to the hoop with ease. He pretends like he’s going to take you off the dribble, stop, leave you five miles behind, and then drain a three. He can make the pocket pass, the alley-oop, or the cross corner bullet.

You can’t stop Harden, you can only hope it’s the playoffs.

Despite being so gifted offensively, Harden’s game is less than pleasing to watch. Here’s a list of possible outcomes when Harden drives to the basket:

  • He finishes the layup.
  • He finds Clint Capela for an easy basket.
  • He gets fouled.
  • He misses the layup and complains that he was fouled.

Harden’s constant foul hunting on every drive and through every screen is one of the most annoying traits in the NBA. All superstar players complain about fouls and non-fouls. That’s nothing new. But Harden is the most fouled person in the league and still complains. He actively searches for the foul, throws his head back or flails his arm when the contact comes, and expects to get the call. And if he doesn’t get the call, it’s a crime against him.

Rockets fans love this style of play. They don’t care if it makes the game 30-minutes longer. Their guy is shooting free throws during those 30 minutes. Every other fan is wondering how much better their favorite player would be if they watched more soccer in their free time.

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