When will the NBA suspend James Harden?

Summary

The article discusses the dangerous flopping tactics used by NBA player James Harden, which not only manipulate foul calls but also risk injury to other players, prompting a call for the NBA to take action.

Abstract

The article critically examines a specific incident involving James Harden's playing tactics, where he is accused of employing a new method to draw fouls that could potentially harm other players. The author breaks down a play where Harden appears to jump straight up for a three-point shot but manipulates his landing to induce contact, despite the defender being at a safe distance. The article argues that Harden's actions are not only a form of gamesmanship to get favorable calls from referees but also a safety hazard that could lead to serious injuries, as demonstrated by a previous incident involving Brandon Ingram. The author emphasizes that Harden's behavior undermines the integrity of the game and calls on NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to implement suspensions for players who cause injuries through such "dirty tricks," suggesting that this would effectively deter such conduct.

Opinions

James Harden is criticized for being the NBA's worst flopper and for developing new, potentially dangerous tactics to draw fouls.
The author believes that Harden's actions are a deliberate attempt to exploit the rules and gain an unfair advantage.
There is a concern that Harden's flopping technique poses a significant risk of injury to other players, akin to a flagrant foul.
The article suggests that the current penalties for such behavior, which at worst result in a flagrant foul, are insufficient to protect players.
The author advocates for the NBA to start suspending players, including Harden

The NBA’s worst flopper has become a danger to other players

Here’s a play that happened at 8:33 of the first quarter of a game last night in Houston.

For context, Harden drove to the basket 9 times, but shot 19 free throws, while getting fouls awarded on two three point shots. LeBron James drove to the basket 10 times and shot 9 free throws. Kyle Kuzma made a three point shot, was knocked to the ground and no foul was called. Instead, Luke Walton was given a technical foul for complaining about the discrepancy in the way the game was being called.

In the following play, James Harden jumps straight up in the air for a 3-point shot. Because the league has started to crack down on players who kick out their legs to draw fouls, Harden has developed a new refinement in his bag of dirty tricks.

Let’s break down the play…

Frame 5: Harden begins leaning backwards to go into his flop, while Hart’s right foot is just above Harden’s outstretched left foot. There is still a clear space between their hips.

If Harden had landed normally, there is no foul.

If Harden had kicked his foot outward, to draw contact, this is either a no-call, or an offensive foul on Harden, but there is no danger to Hart, whose feet would be below the level of Harden’s leg.

By extending his leg outward, Harden’s foot now presents the same danger to another player that results in a flagrant foul being charged to a defender who walks under a shooter, preventing them from landing safely.

(NOTE: That is exactly what happened in the first quarter of a game on December 5th, when Lamarcus Aldridge walked under and injured Brandon Ingram. Ingram will have missed seven games when he is re-evaluated this weekend. and it is still unclear when he will be able to play.)

Fortunately, both of Hart’s feet miss Harden’s left foot and he avoids a serious injury.

When is the NBA going to start suspending players who cause injuries?

What does it do to the integrity of the game when a player can cause a serious injury and the punishment is, at worst, a flagrant foul?

This is no different from the days when players would flail his arms in the hopes of drawing a foul. In one game, Kobe Bryant made this move and hit Manu Ginobli in the nose, giving him a concussion. Even though no foul had been called, the league reviewed the play, concluded Kobe’s move was intentional and suspended him for one game.

Come on Adam Silver, it’s time to start protecting the players from these dirty tricks. Suspend Harden and other players who cause injuries for a game and these types of plays will disappear from the NBA.

When will the NBA suspend James Harden?

The NBA’s worst flopper has become a danger to other players

Frame 1: Harden jumps straight up in the air to make his shot. His legs are perfectly balance beneath him.

Frame 2: Harden begins to descend after releasing the shot. His back (right) leg is still under him to provide for a balanced landing, but his front (left) leg is moving forward.

Frame 3: Harden’s back leg comes down directly under his body to support the landing, while the front leg continues moving forward. Notice the location of the defender, Josh Hart, who is at least a foot away from Harden’s body.

Frame 4: Harden has landed safely on his right foot, while his left foot is now directly underneath Hart’s body. Hart is coming down vertically, with almost as much clear space between their bodies as the frame before.

Frame 5: Harden begins leaning backwards to go into his flop, while Hart’s right foot is just above Harden’s outstretched left foot. There is still a clear space between their hips.

Frame 6: Harden falls down, while Hart’s leg makes incidental contact with Harden’s leg underneath him, causing him to lose balance.

James Harden has become one of the league’s dirtiest players.

When is the NBA going to start suspending players who cause injuries?