
Just giving the defenses different looks - having a variety, a package of things that you can go to. “Sam, he had a really good career, and obviously he was known for the mid-range. “Just a mentor, man,” Harden said of Cassell. Sixers assistant coach Sam Cassell, an exceptionally smooth mid-range operator in his playing days, worked with Harden on expanding his arsenal. After being severely limited by his hamstring the prior offseason, Harden got to dive back into things this summer. He enjoys the process of fine-tuning his game. The physicality, slick deceleration and bucket-getting knowhow that help Harden beyond the arc are also nice tools inside of it. Joel Embiid had a woeful shooting night (6 for 21 from the field), but Harden was clearly comfortable anywhere on the floor. On Thursday, with the Bucks shifting to a defensive philosophy this year that cares much more about limiting three-pointers than in recent seasons, there were soft spots in the mid-range for both of the Sixers’ stars.
#Ames smart trash free
He was brilliant in the Sixers’ opening-night loss to Boston by leaning on that famous step-back and by drawing 12 free throws. That miss isn’t the story of the 33-year-old’s first two games, though. Could’ve made a second move and gotten a better shot, but I’ll take it.” I could’ve taken my time a little bit more. “It wasn’t a great look, it was a good look,” Harden said. He drove in search of a game-winning hoop, absorbed contact from Jrue Holiday around the left block, and then tossed up a runner that didn’t drop. The final shot of Harden’s evening was disappointing. Tonight, they gave me mid-range shots and I took them.” You put the work in and you live with the results.

I had a couple of threes that I missed, but I can’t control it.

“I’ve been working on my game this summer,” Harden said after scoring 31 points on a night he only took four free throws. Through the Sixers’ two losses, he’s averaged 33.0 points, 8.0 assists and 8.0 rebounds. Harden went 6 for 7 on mid-range jumpers Thursday in the Sixers’ 90-88 home opener defeat to the Bucks.
#Ames smart trash full
James Harden has heard the talk that he’s not the player he was during a prime full of devastating step-back three-pointers and unparalleled offensive production.Īt the start of his 14th NBA season, he’s shown there’s perhaps a positive, unexpected side of that.
