VIDEO: This Montage of James Harden Committing Offensive Fouls Against the Nuggets is Infuriating
James Harden is currently averaging 38.4 points-per-game, eight points higher than the guy behind him. That's incredible. In fact, if he maintains this average, it'll be the highest since Michael Jordan's 37.1 points-per-game back in 1987. So why does nobody seem to care? Well, it might have something to do with how he plays. Just look at these egregious offensive fouls he committed against the Nuggets Wednesday night.
This compilation of the Rockets guard blatantly hitting his opponents in the face, hooking their arms, and kicking out his legs on shots is embarrassing to watch. But what makes it even worse is how often he gets these calls to go his way, usually resulting in free throws to boost his scoring average.
It's really a shame, as Harden is much too talented to have to resort to tactics like this. If anything, it hurts him in the long run. The refs allow more physicality in the playoffs. So when Harden doesn't get that whistle, he tends to come up short.
There's little chance Harden will change the way he plays at this point in his career, so it looks like we'll have to take the bad with the good.