James Harden is a creative scorer with an unlimited repertoire of moves. From 2016 to 2020, he had an exceptional offensive run in the NBA because to his excellent isolation game. One of the hardest players to cover on the perimeter is still the Beard. After playing alongside Harden for four seasons in Houston from 2013 to 2017, Patrick Beverley believes that Harden was one of the most inventive players of all time during his peak.
The former NBA player’s assistant coach Rico Hines of the Philadelphia 76ers joined him on his Pet Bev pod. Hines has worked closely with Harden and organizes intense summer private basketball programs for NBA players.
Patrick Beverley explains why James Harden is so highly rated by him
He talked about a few years back, during a pickup game, when The Beard made an incredible one-legged three-point jumper from the corner, which became one of the most viral moments for the 2018 MVP.
Harden started the play by turning his body to face the corner rather than the rim. He then dribbled slickly behind his back to return his gaze to the hoop. Harden concluded by lifting his right foot off the ground and attempting a few quick dribbles to create separation before shooting the ball with his left foot alone.
Hines remembered the former top player for the Rockets telling him he was getting better at the one-leg shot. The seasoned coach was equally amazed at how he’d pulled it off in a real-life game setting. Beverley stated,
“The funny thing about the James shot is he told me he was going to be working on that shot. And he did in the game, it was crazy,” “At that time, probably one of the most creative basketball players offensively I’ve ever seen in life. Creativity, not like the best player, but creative-wise, he was doing sh** that no one else was doing.”
One day people will give James Harden his flowers for his contribution to the game pic.twitter.com/GCgoICQj1O
— Pat Bev Pod (@PatBevPod) August 20, 2024
Beverley has seen some of the league’s most skillful scorers since he consistently drew the hardest perimeter assignment. His praise for Harden thus demonstrates how the latter is a unique genius deserving of his flowers.
The Beard has many tricks under his sleeve, but his step-back jumpers usually get the most attention.
