With the Rockets visiting Toronto for a game Thursday night, Raptors guard Fred VanVleet offered a passionate pregame defense of Houston guard James Harden, adding that he tries to learn from watching him.
The 25-year-old VanVleet, who averages 18.7 points and 7.4 assists per game for the defending NBA champions, had this to say at Wednesday’s practice when asked by reporters if he understood why Harden’s game is seen as polarizing by fans:
No, because I’m a basketball player. I haven’t met a basketball player that doesn’t appreciate it. It’s the casual people that watch the game or a tied into some fantasy of what they think the game is about.
VanVleet, asked if he understands why Harden's game is so polarizing: "No, because I'm a basketball player. I haven't met a basketball player that doesn't appreciate it. It's the casual people that watch the game or a tied into some fantasy of what they think the game is about."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 4, 2019
Harden is averaging 39.5 points, 7.8 assists, and 6.1 rebounds per game. That 39.5 total would be the third-highest scoring season in league history, and the best since Wilt Chamberlain (44.8) back in 1962-63.
His scoring output has come on an average of 14.9 free-throw attempts per game, which easily leads the NBA and often draws the ire of opposing fans. But, as Harden reminded a heckling fan in San Antonio on Tuesday night, there’s a fairly simple solution for defenders. Don’t foul him.
As for other NBA players, VanVleet said it himself: “Every player dreams of drawing fouls the way he does.” He also went on to call the former NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) “kind of an alien,” with regards to his scoring prowess and what it forces opposing defenses to do.
Fred VanVleet on facing James Harden and the Rockets tomorrow: "We've already pretty much played every defense you can think of or dream of, so it won't be the first time we do anything, other than just James is kind of an alien out there, 1-on-1."
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) December 4, 2019
The Rockets (13-7) and Raptors (15-5) tip off at 6:30 p.m. Central time from Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena on Thursday night.
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