James Harden’s style of play has made him one of the more polarizing players in the league, but has also made him arguably the greatest offensive player in the game. One year after winning the NBA MVP award, Harden led the league in scoring by a huge margin, averaging 36.1 points per game – the highest total since Kobe Bryant averaged 35.4 in 2005-06.
Harden is constantly dribbling past defenders and getting to the foul line – his 11.0 free throw attempts per game led the league – or using his controversial step-back move to create space and launch a three.
Harden is expanding his arsenal for the upcoming season to include a new move that, according to him, will look like a travel (and likely ignite NBA Twitter).
At an Adidas event on Friday, Harden was asked by a young fan about his “traveling step-back,” and Harden revealed that he’s working on something new to make life even harder for defenders.
Via ESPN:
“You got to find ways to create an advantage every single year. And that’s what I’m doing. It’s not a travel.
This year, I’m going to come up with something more creative, and it’s gonna look like a travel but it’s not. Honestly! Even when I was on a tour, in Europe or China, or even when I’m here in the U.S., I see kids your guys’ age that are working on step-backs, working on moves, because it’s going to gain you an opportunity to be better than the rest of your peers. And that’s what I’m going for.
So until they call it a travel, if they start calling it, I’ll continue to find ways and find ways to get creative and make my impact on the game.”
