James Harden is in the news again for questionable traveling … again.
One of Harden’s signature moves is his step-back to create space for a shot. However, there have been a few questionable step-backs with him recently. The newest incident came in a 102-97 victory over the Jazz, when he knocked down a shot using his signature move.
But just an eye-test alone tells you that this move was indeed traveling. Don’t take our word for it, though. Just look for yourself.
The offensive player gathers the ball while on his right foot. He then takes a step with his left foot (step 1) into a hop step, landing first with his right foot (step 2) and then illegally with his left (step 3). We missed this one – it is a traveling violation. https://t.co/BqMAoZHgIu
— NBA Referees (@OfficialNBARefs) December 18, 2018
The move caused Jazz PG Ricky Rubio to foul Harden, in which he went on to make two free throws just when the game was a one-possession lead for the Rockets.
“What do you want me to say? Tell on myself?” Harden told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon after the game.
Rubio was upset with the non-call, to say the least.
“You watch the play? What do you think?” Rubio told reporters. “I’m not going to answer, but I think 100 percent of the people know the answer.”
Regardless of a travel or not, Harden still had a pretty big night with 47 points, six boards, five assists and five steals. He’s currently leading the league in scoring (31.5 PPG) as well, while adding 8.2 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals per contest.
