James Harden’s pick-and-roll defense is in midseason form

James Harden has never been known for his defense and he certainly didn’t look interested in flipping the script in his first preseason game.

Yesterday’s central protagonist on NBA Twitter was James Harden, looking a little extra thicc. Whether or not he’s actually put on a few pounds in the past few months, or the angle and warmup shirt created the illusion of paunch, the dam broke and a deluge of jokes ensues. Unfortunately, everyone kind of burned themselves out with the food puns and was busy patting themselves on the back when the game actually started.

Harden did score 12 points in 21 minutes but he needed 10 shots to do it, added 3 turnovers and looked about as engaged as you’d have expected whenever the ball wasn’t in his hands.

And then there was his defense. It’s never been his calling card but in this first preseason game, particularly in concert with DeMarcus Cousins, he looks like he’s already in midseason form.

This play is dripping with apathy. Never bothering to get into a defensive stance, at any point. His half-hearted spin around the screen, turning to his back to the ball-handler. The lack of communication with Cousins, who was frankly, putting on his own clinic of absentminded carelessness. It’s five seconds from the moment Rudy Gay crosses halfcourt to the moment he dunks the basketball with Harden about 10 feet away. Five long seconds that cry out “TRADE ME.”

What do the Rockets do with James Harden now?

The Rockets are at least playing lip service to the idea of rolling into the season without trading Harden but it’s going to be harder and harder to hold that tack if he keeps bringing this kind of energy. Harden has mentioned the Bucks, 76ers and Nets as preferred trade destinations but, honestly, all of those seem laughably unlikely and plays like this certainly aren’t helping make his case to a potential contender.

It’s shaping up to be a long season for Rockets’ fans.