James Harden locks down Giannis Antetokounmpo in the clutch (Video)

James Harden actually played great defense on Giannis Antetokounmpo down the stretch.

James Harden is not known for his defense. Actually, he’s kind of known for his defense, in the sense that he’s known for how notoriously bad his defense is.

However, as is the case with many longstanding NBA narratives, the truth is nowhere near as overblown as all the chatter would lead you to believe. Harden is prone to defensive lapses and bouts of laziness, but when he’s locked in — particularly in the post — he can be as stout as they come.

Just ask this year’s MVP frontrunner and the reigning league MVP, Giannis Antetokounmpo:

In the game’s final two minutes, Harden — a former MVP himself who’s finished second in MVP voting multiple times, including once to the Greek Freak — stripped Giannis leading to a Russell Westbrook layup to put the Houston Rockets up one; stifled him in the post with a deflection; and served as the first line of defense on Antetokounmpo’s final drive in the game’s closing seconds.

True enough, having P.J. Tucker right behind him as a second line of defense is what actually convinced Giannis to get rid of the ball and deliver the game-sealing turnover, but Harden’s defense on the best player in the NBA this year should absolutely be commended.

Before anyone goes reading into this, this doesn’t mean Harden suddenly deserves MVP. It doesn’t mean Giannis is overrated, that he’s not immensely skilled, or that the final minutes of this game actually mean anything. The Milwaukee Bucks are still playing without their starting point guard in Eric Bledsoe and basically have the 1-seed in the Eastern Conference under wraps. This game meant a lot more to the Rockets due to playoff positioning than it did to the Bucks.

But before anyone goes disrespecting Harden for his lackluster defense again, it might do them well to remember the time he put the clamps on the reigning MVP late in this seeding game in Orlando.