JAMES Harden may have lost the 2019 NBA MVP award to Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the Houston Rockets superstar is still the king of step-backs.
The Beard has developed a step-back jumper that’s as deadly as his Euro step and which he has made into his own. And with opponents doing their own versions, as well as kids trying out the somewhat complicated move early in their basketball journeys, Harden has realized that his patented move has grown to the level of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s Skyhook and Michael Jordan’s fadeaway jumper.
“It just dawned on me recently,” Harden said on Wednesday. “I look at the step-back in the level that I’ve taken it similar to like the skyhook or the MJ fadeaway. That step-back you just see everywhere, especially kids who are being more creating and trying and exploring like you’ve never really seen in AAU basketball.”
“But now it’s taken over,” he added. “It’s something that I have enjoyed, so that allows me to get back in the gym and try to figure out more moves to keep impacting the game.”
But while most have been impressed with his slick offensive moves to ward off defenders, some have criticized his “double” step-back for being overboard to the point that it’s bordering on a traveling violation – and sometimes he does escape with the call.
Harden, though, is just taking all the criticism in stride.
In a press conference where was asked a follow-up question about people emulating his unique fashion style – evidenced by the vibrant colorway of his new Harden Vol. 3 shoes, Harden strayed off a bit as he incorporated the people making his step-back controversial.
“That’s when you know you’re doing something right,” the 29-year-old playmaker said. “And then you have the haters who talk about, ‘Is that a travel?’ ‘Is that too many steps?’ or ‘Why is he wearing this?’ ‘He doesn’t look right.’”
“That’s the haters,” he added. “That’s when you know you’re doing something right when you got people talking about you.”
Instead of getting discouraged, Harden is motivated to even add more to his ever-growing arsenal.
“So it just drives me to keep doing what I’m doing, keep creating moves, keep wearing whatever what I’m wearing. I let the haters keep talking.”
Harden lets his game do the talking: he produced nine 50-point games, including a record five 50-point triple-double performances last season.
With his moves on the court and the unique wardrobe off it, expect more dazzling performances for Harden next season.
“Hopefully going into that game, if I got the right outfit on, I can give you fifty, sixty points, and it’s a good day.”
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