The NBA has implemented a new rule that limits non-basketball moves and maneuvers to draw fouls, and James Harden isn't benefiting from the change.
Through five games this season, the Brooklyn Nets' superstar guard has yet to score more than 20 points, and he's been to free-throw line just 15 times. Call it a shock to the system, as Harden averaged double-digit shots at the charity stripe from 2018-2020.
Following the Nets' loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, Nets head coach Steve Nash told reporters that Harden has "unfairly become the poster boy" of the NBA's initiative. Harden concurred with Nash, but also admitted that he needs to play better while working back from last season's hamstring injury.
"This is an adjustment. It's not just the referees, it's James Harden, it's his leg as well," JR said during Thursday's edition of the JR SportBrief show. "When it comes to his injury, this is something that started last year in the postseason. He had to go through the offseason. He didn't play ball, he had to rehab. Now he's picking things up... Harden is one of those players who gets a bad rap...
"Everybody is up for criticism. This is what happens in the NBA. And because Harden isn't walking around with a championship, his style of play is 'terrible, it's awful.' And I'm not talking about the fouls. People question his work ethic, talk about how skilled he is and whether his style will ever win. Harden is one of the best scorers to step onto a floor in the NBA..."
Harden isn't the only player adjusting to life with fewer free-throw attempts. According to NBC Sports writer Kurt Helin, so far this season, league games have averaged 40 free throws, which is down 2.6 attempts from last season and 6.2 attempts from the 2018 and 2019 campaigns.
Brooklyn (2-3) will host the Indiana Pacers (1-4) on Friday at Barclays Center, with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. According to FiveThirtyEight, the Nets have an 83-percent chance to make the Eastern Conference playoffs and a 13-percent chance to reach the NBA Finals.
JR's complete thoughts on Harden and the NBA's rules can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow the JR SportBrief show on Twitter @JRSportBrief and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.