The Houston Rockets were in a must-win situation when they faced the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA bubble in Orlando for Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals. Needless to say, everybody expected James Harden to step up and help his team tie the series.
Harden has a history of choking and underperforming when it matters the most. It’s been like that since he made itto the NBA Finals in 2012 with the Oklahoma City Thunder and he just can’t seem to shake his postseason woes.
The Rockets were undermanned as Danuel House was suspended for breaking the NBA’s safety protocol, and that obviouslywas a major blow for Mike D’Antoni’s team. Then again, it meant Harden had an even bigger load on his shoulders.
However, the Beard was a massive no-show in the first half with just 10 points and finished the game with 21 on 2/11 shooting and 1/6 from beyond the arc. He did have 10 assists, but also piled up 5 turnovers.
The Los Angeles Lakers dominated this game from the jump. They led foras much as 16 at the half and Harden continued to struggle with their pesky and suffocating double-teams. Obviously, the internet had a lot to say about his performance.
NBA Twitter blasts James Harden after Game 4 loss to the Lakers
I DEFENDED YOU ALL SEASON CALLING YOU THE MVP AGAINST GIANNIS FANS AND YOU EMBARRASS ME LIKE THIS @JHarden13 pic.twitter.com/stpMsWp2rV
— Ahmed����/I need HOES (@big_business_) September 11, 2020
James Harden in the Rockets locker room after losing 3 straight pic.twitter.com/uFj8twFZLm
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) September 11, 2020
Me with any “Harden is actually better than Kobe” takes for the rest of my life pic.twitter.com/og4j3mSrP9
— Daman Rangoola (@damanr) September 11, 2020
JAMES FRAUDEN WOKE UP FEELING DANGEROUS ����
– 21 Points ����
– 2-11 FG ����
– 1-6 3PT FG ��������
– L ����James Harden proving us all that he’s better than Wade and Kobe������ pic.twitter.com/XtyMGOmgmQ
— ������������__ (@ShawSwervoo) September 11, 2020
James Harden made two shots in a must win playoff game. TWO.
Yet we hear this BS about him being the “greatest offensive player ever”
����
— Justin Termine (@TermineRadio) September 11, 2020
Streets saying Harden is Larry Hughes with glitter residue
— Bruschetta Scott King (@PBS_Impulse9) September 11, 2020
James Harden shooting terribly in a must-win playoff game??? pic.twitter.com/XZCk5qilGq
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) September 11, 2020
Harden time in Houston is over let’s discusspic.twitter.com/eY6U2UMAlF https://t.co/zYYKByg0JY
— O3MaR (@KILLIO_JALEN) September 11, 2020
Rockets fans finally realizing they’re never going to win shit with Harden leading is hilarious because they’ll be back talking shit next year LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOO
— 8️⃣ (@CindtriIIella) September 11, 2020
James Harden Game 4 vs. Lakers 2020: 2-of-11 from the field.
James Harden Game 6 vs. Spurs 2017: 2-of-11 from the field.
James Harden Game 5 vs. Warriors 2015: 2-of-11 from the field.
James Harden’s favorite playoff line is 2-of-11 from the field.
— Samuel H. Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) September 11, 2020
James Harden in a crucial game 4:
• 21 points ������
• 2/11 FG (18.2%) ������
• 1/6 3PT (16.7%) ������
• 5 TOs ������ pic.twitter.com/wQjAZznEbZ
— Jαყ�� (@HoodieCurry) September 11, 2020
Harden Alexander Hamilton
��
Missing wildly at the
worst possible moment— Bruschetta Scott King (@PBS_Impulse9) September 11, 2020
James Harden really made Danuel House risk his marriage by taking the fall for him sneaking a woman into the bubble, when all he had to do is wait like a week until he went home. pic.twitter.com/pEVMoijeB5
— Colb (@___Colb___) September 11, 2020
The Rockets are now against the ropes. They were 100% committed to the small-ball and while it seemed like a great idea in the regular season, they lack the personnel to make the adjustments they need to match up with the Lakers.
PJ Tucker has done an outstanding job but you can only do so much when you’re that undersized and guarding a player as talented as Anthony Davis. Tonight, he finished with 29 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks.
Houston paid a lot (both in money and draft assets) to pair Russell Westbrook with Harden but thatwill definitely backfire if they fail – again – to go the distance. Harden’s legacy is in the line now more than ever.
