We already knew that James Harden was an all-time great at drawing fouls in the NBA.
He has led the league SEVEN TIMES in free-throw attempts, with an array of moves in which he leans into defenders or falls back when an offensive player’s elbow gets close to his giant beard, or turns what could be a little contact into a lot of contact.
But on Sunday night, we got the GOAT moment. The greatest flop of all, the one to put on Harden’s Flop Hall of Fame plaque.
With just seconds to go in the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers’ game and the Clips down two, Kawhi Leonard drove to the hoop and Harden embellished the contact from Leonard.
An offensive foul was called and the Clippers couldn’t challenge it because they had used theirs earlier in the game:
Kawhi gets called for the offensive foul. Nets win. pic.twitter.com/droTZRrtGW
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 22, 2021
Look at that thing. It’s beautiful. It’s art. Leonard has his left arm on Harden for sure, but not enough for it to draw a whistle. That’s when Harden feigns like he’s being pushed backwards.
This isn’t about whether it’s right or wrong (although I wonder if the NBA will be fined for flopping). This is about the art of the flop. From that perspective, with the game on the line and perhaps Harden knowing it couldn’t be reviewed. it’s an unbelievable play.
Here, enjoy some more Harden flops while you throw stuff at your computer screen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP9wFKh55xg
As the Twittersphere likes to say, hang that photo above in the Louvre.
[jwplayer IeJhkG2a-q2aasYxh]