David J. Phillip/Associated Press
While it’s become popular to criticize James Harden for chasing fouls, Kevin Durant doesn’t think the reigning NBA MVP is doing anything wrong.
Per ESPN’s Nick Friedell, Durant said Harden is “not cheating the game” because “he’s playing within the rules of the game.”
Generating foul calls has been a huge part of Harden’s success since he was acquired by the Houston Rockets prior to the 2012-13 season. The seven-time All-Star has averaged 10.2 free-throw attempts per game over the past seven seasons, including a career-high 11.0 in 2018-19.
In November, ESPN.com’s Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright shared thoughts from players and coaches about Harden’s ability to get calls from the officials.
“He flops on offense just like I flop on defense,” Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart said. “He’s been in the league a long time, and he’s built that reputation. It’s hard to guard him knowing that, at any given moment, you can get called for a foul.”
Harden and the Rockets were vocal in their criticisms of the referees following their 104-100 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series.
“I just want a fair chance,” Harden told reporters. “We all know what happened a couple years back with Kawhi [Leonard]. Call the game the way it’s supposed to be called, and we’ll live with the results.”
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On the play Harden referenced, in Game 1 of the 2016-17 Western Conference Finals, Leonard injured his ankle when Zaza Pachulia appeared to undercut him on a long two-point jumper.
Per the NBA’s last-two-minute report, officials were correct in not calling Draymond Green for a foul when he made contact with Harden on a three-point attempt with 10.1 seconds to play in Game 1 on Sunday.
The Rockets and Warriors will return to the court Tuesday for Game 2 with all eyes on the officiating.
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