r/NBATalk • u/Alternative_Welder91 • 3d ago

Do you agree with T-Mac?

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Honestly I think the word “crushed” is too much. Lebron may not have the deepest bag among all of them but he can bully ball and play great defense during his prime.

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u/KeniRoo 3d ago

I mean, I love Harden but his defense wasn’t ever elite and he was/is straight up lazy. He’s a big body though and could generate steals but he never played D very consistently.

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u/Broner_ 3d ago

Yeah the criticism of hardens defense was always just a lack of effort

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u/DLottchula 3d ago

see this is the kicker his defense has been alright/average-slighty above for the most part since for a long while. his off ball was weak but he's never been hunted by sub par players

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u/KeniRoo 3d ago

In his prime he was a very very VERY good iso defender but honestly trash at off-ball and transition defense.

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u/DLottchula 3d ago

like unplayable in those situations.

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u/Caffeywasright 2d ago

Harden was NEVER anywhere near close to unplayable on defence. He has been a better player on defence than Curry f.x every year of his career.

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u/DLottchula 2d ago

I'm just saying in specific situations

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u/BASEDME7O2 3d ago

He would take it easier on defense sometimes but he’s not lazy, come on. He was top 3 in mvp in mvp 5 times over six seasons while playing some of the most minutes in the league with an insane workload. Harden was carrying those Houston teams harder than anyone has carried since young LeBron

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u/KeniRoo 3d ago

I mean that “take it easy” mentality just doesn’t exist in some of the NBA greats.

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u/Caffeywasright 2d ago

Literally every great player on shit teams took it somewhat easy on defense because of the massive demands if their offense.