James Harden moved into 20th place on the NBA’s all-time steals leaderboard, passing Andre Iguodala
Honestly underrated part of Harden’s career. For someone known mainly for offense, that’s a crazy defensive counting stat. With his size and instincts, he clearly had real defensive upside.
Harden has such a weird defensive reputation. He’s described as a traffic cone by half the people on this sub but also has an all-time steal highlight reel that makes him look like he’s the best defender at guard ever. Not sure what to make of it lol
Both are somewhat true.
He has pretty much always lacked the lateral movement to stick with quick guards specifically, but he’s always been able to guard up reasonably well, especially if he’s in the post.
Despite his lack of lateral movement, he’s always had REALLY good hands defensively, which is why he gets so many of those steals and swipe downs (I think they are usually counted as blocks)
People don’t like to admit that he was a big reason why the 2018 Rockets switching scheme worked so effectively. Strong as fuck, low center of gravity, great hands, good IQ when he was locked in. People need to watch the 2018 WCF again bc he defended his ass off
Yeah, and his build helps a lot too. He’s strong enough to guard 1s and 2s and even switch onto some 3s at times, which is why he was good in the post and at reading passing lanes.
Yeah. He’s extremely hard to post up so that shuts down a lot of players who aren’t tall enough to shoot over him. With minimal effort his presence at his size and strength make him a passable defender. When he does lock in he’s actually good. I truly think he smokes weed before every game though.
This also doesn’t include deflections right? He has a ton of those too but won’t show up in stats
Yeah exactly. Deflections and digging in passing lanes don’t show up the same way, but that was always one of Harden’s underrated strengths. That DeRozan play where he just reads it in transition and pokes the ball without even looking is a great example of his instincts.
Quick hands
His no look block/strip is one of my favorite defensive highlights ever.
Yup, that’s the one. Every time I see it I laugh, Harden did it so casually it looks fake.
Best combo guard of all time?
I’d probably say Prime Steph, but Harden is really really close. If MJ counts, then I would say MJ immediately.
Naw Jerry West clears both
Yeah definitely don’t consider MJ anything of point. Depends on how you want to classify Steph but I still have him more of a 1 than a 2.
Yeah that’s fair. If MJ’s out and Steph leans more 1, then I’d probably go Harden as the best true combo guard. Wade and Kobe could handle and create, but they felt more like dominant 2s than actual hybrids.
It really seems that being a 1 or 2 is based off of playstyle… Steph is the defacto primary playmaker on his team but because he get’s blitzed it allows Green to rack up assist playing 4-3.
Harden also has been a PG since Mike took over the Rockets and has been a PG since but because he’s such an elite scorer they slot him in as a 2
Jeez, LeBron having a chance at finishing Top 5 in three different categories is insane.
And to potentially do it by passing The Glove, whose calling card was his pocket-picking and who had a very long career in his own right. Crazy stuff
Tbf Payton was washed post-Sonics.
Yeah didn’t put up the same crazy numbers as when he was a perennial DPOY candidate, but still added a couple hundred steals to his total post-Sonics
I mean barring injury he will definitely surpass it.
Agreed. Though I am very surprised Jordan is still ahead of him in assists.. given Bron’s reputation to facilitate first, score second.
? Jordan isnt. Jordan isnt even top 50
Totally misread this list as assists leaders……… 🤦🏻♂️💀
All good 😂
Alas, one more distraction from our Martian savior
I WANT IGUODALA
wtf was john stockton on?
He was really good at basketball and is probably the league’s ultimate ironman. He only missed 22 games in 19 years.
He was really good with the reach around.
Asterisk indicates member of the Hall of Fame.
In the year 2030, LeBron will lead all the major statistical categories, right? With five years to go until his retirement.
Harden is equaling dwade but y’all not ready for that convo yet
3 rings vs 0 rings.
Neither is harden
Huh
This is one of those untouchable records that isn’t brought up often
Crazy that Jordan is high up there despite playing only 15 seasons.
needs 538 to move into 1st place
No, you’re not reading this right, Chris Paul needs 538 to get to first. Harden needs 1500
Besides Dyson last season, individual steals per game have not really seen an uptick despite the fast-paced game nowadays.
Better spacing means wider passing lanes. Point guards don’t have to thread the needle for entry passes anywhere near as much as they used to have to with multiple non shooting bigs.
If he makes 19th, 18th is basically a gimme
James Harden, defensive dynamo
He’s getting close to TOP 5 ALL TIME in blocks by a guard only about 5 away!
it will be funny when harden and doncic are both in the top 20
Looks like LeBron will move into 5th place is he plays next year which is cool.
Shout out Russ since he gets ignored by everyone on here
His 1.5SPG isn’t crazy, but he’s on pace to finish the season top 50 in games played.
Stockton is so underrated lmao. He’s on every important PG record list. The Wilt of his position lol.
Jordan has that many in like 4 or 5 less years than bron
LeBron is top 10 because of course he is.
why is CP0 still considered active?
Because he has yet to retire? Just because he isn’t signed doesn’t mean anything
