- 76ers star confronted about his reputation as a flopper and foul-baiter.
- Harden says the new rules do not impact his game
- Harden’s future remains unknown amid ugly breakup with 76ers
76ers star James Harden has accomplished a lot as a 10x All-Star, 3x scoring champion, and 1x MVP but he’s also built up a very particular reputation in the NBA world. Dating back to his days with the Rockets, Harden has been accused of being a regular flopper, but it’s something he has always denied.
In fact, when recently asked about the NBA’s anti-flopping rules, the Beard was taken aback that anybody could think they applied to him: “Are you calling me a flopper?” Harden asked. “Honestly, it doesn’t affect me.”
James Harden was asked about the new flopping rule, per @mackenziesalmon.
His response: “Are you calling me a flopper?… Honestly, it doesn’t affect me.” pic.twitter.com/KTeWVljQ8D
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 19, 2023
Needless to say, NBA fans were less than convinced of Harden’s claim. Over the years, the Beard has proven to be an expert at drawing contact, and while Harden would say it’s all completely legal and okay, some fans and experts would call it manipulating the game.
Obviously, Harden is not the only star guilty of using the rules to his advantage, and the NBA is working hard to combat the growing trend. For the 2022-23 season, a new rule will take effect that when a flop is called during the game, the offending player will be charged with a non-unsportsmanlike technical foul, and the opposing team will be awarded one free throw attempt. It’s an extreme response, but it could just be one of many rule changes to the NBA in the future.
Is James Harden A Flopper?
Today, Harden isn’t the same player he was in his prime. With a focus on playmaking and ball handling, Harden is much more of a floor general now than a leading scorer. Even so, he still uses the same tricks to get himself to the free-throw line, and he ranked within the top 15 in the league for total free-throw attempts last season.
At this point, it’s inarguable that Harden likes to manipulate the officials for free points at the charity stripe. “(The Sixers) are tough. Their pick-and-roll is hard, depending on how they’re officiated in the game,” said Celtics star Brown after Game 7 of the Conference Finals against Harden and the Sixers. “I thought they did a good job tonight by not letting some of those guys flop who are known to do that. They didn’t give them some of those plays, and they thought they were going to get ’em because they were at home, and the refs stayed solid.”
Harden’s NBA Future Is In Doubt
Whether he’s a flopper or not, James Harden is facing a lot of uncertainty about his NBA future. After a disappointing season with the 76ers, where they lost in the second round, Harden cut all ties with the franchise and is now trying anything he can do to play somewhere else.
So far, his attempts to force a trade have been in vain, but it’s not too late for the Clippers, or some other mystery team, to step up and make a last-minute offer. “I don’t think we’ve seen the last of those talks,” reported Zach Lowe. “I have a feeling those talks will be reignited at some point.”
It remains to be seen how this saga will play out for Harden, but after publicly exposing 76ers GM/President Daryl Morey, it’s going to be near impossible to reconcile the relationship now.
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