Team USA Getting, Needing James Harden's Best Right Now
Another slow start. Another decisive second half.
The only difference between Team USA's 96-68 semifinals victory over Lithuania and the FIBA Basketball World Cup tournament games that came before it?
This time it was James Harden who took over, scoring all 16 of his points in a third-quarter rout that broke the game wide-open.
As the AP notes (via Ultimate Rockets), Harden's third frame was, "a near carbon copy of the Americans’ quarterfinal victory over Slovenia, when he awoke from a scoreless first half to help turn a close game into a blowout in a split second."
He set the tone from long range, nailing two three-pointers in the third frame—the first of which helped spark a run that proved insurmountable for the Lithuanians.
To be sure, Harden has been steady all tournament long. The 25-year-old averaged 12.7 points and 3.9 assists per contest entering Thursday's game. As one of the United States' most dangerous and versatile scorers, Harden's contributions haven't been especially surprising.
But they have been desperately needed—especially against Lithuania.
The U.S. led by just five points after a first quarter characterized by turnovers, foul trouble and missed jumpers. The second quarter included more of the same, leaving Team USA with a tenuous eight-point lead at the half.
With Toronto Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas and his Lithuanian compatriots controlling the tempo and exploiting a marked advantage at the free-throw line, there appeared to be a very real danger the United States could follow in Spain's similarly favored footsteps. The vaunted Spaniards were knocked out of the tournament by France on Wednesday.
With the Americans' finals fate hanging in the balance, Harden and Co. flipped the script after halftime and won the third quarter by a lopsided 33-14 margin.
From there, Team USA glided to the finish line on autopilot, much as it has throughout a tournament in which it remains undefeated after eight games.
Kyrie Irving scored a game-high 18 points, and Klay Thompson added another 16 off the bench—marking the third consecutive game in which the Golden State Warriors swingman has scored at least 15 points.
Big men Anthony Davis and Kenneth Faried weren't the headliners on Thursday, but they've certainly done their parts in getting head coach Mike Krzyzewski's club this far.
Indeed, the United States has relied on an ensemble effort throughout its World Cup march, and all the more so without some of the familiar faces who anchored its gold-medal-winning performance at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
There's no LeBron James, Chris Paul or Carmelo Anthony this time. No Kevin Love, Blake Griffin or LaMarcus Aldridge. An untimely (and gruesome) broken leg suffered during training camp in Las Vegas removed Paul George from competition.
Kevin Durant subsequently withdrew from Team USA, saying, "I need to take a step back and take some time away, both mentally and physically in order to prepare for the upcoming NBA season," per ESPN.com.
The absence of the NBA's usual suspects has in turn created both the need and opportunity for others to step up.
Thursday it was Harden's turn.
Though the bearded shooting guard has remained productive throughout tournament play, it hasn't all been smooth sailing—and no, that's not just a reference to his recent Segway crash in Barcelona.
Harden's much-maligned defense has been on full display for all the world to see. Long a source of angst for Houston Rockets fans, the lack of defensive effort was again evident on Thursday.
At least it wasn't as bad as his quintessentially lost disposition against Turkey earlier during tournament play.
Perhaps some things will never change.
That said, Harden remains good for more than timely scoring barrages. One of only two holdovers from USA Basketball's 2012 iteration (Davis being the other), this isn't his first global go-around—and it shows.
"Just being around those guys really helped me improve," Harden said after advancing past group play, per Ultimate Rockets' Chris Kudialis. "I think 2012 really molded me for this moment."
In turn, Harden's teammates have noticed a penchant for leadership.
"James is huge for us," Faried submitted, according to Kudialis. "He coaches up guys who are down and coaches down guys who might be too high on themselves. He levels the team out and makes sure that everybody stays focused and locked in."
"James doesn’t really do the whole yelling thing," added U.S. center Andre Drummond. "He brings you aside and talks to you personally. And he shows leadership with his game, too."
Krzyzewski even argued that Harden (and point guard Stephen Curry) are setting an example with their defensive effort, saying, "People don't talk about their defense, or they talk about it in a negative way. But they're busting their butts here and they've played outstanding."
Maybe we'll have to agree to disagree on that last point.
But there's little doubt Harden has made an impression all summer long, earning high praise from high places.
"Right now, I think I would look to Harden as that leader," USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo told reporters in the wake of George's injury. "Harden is kind of a natural leader and he seems to be willing to accept that role. And you can just kind of feel it and sense. He's the one."
Whatever you make of Harden's suddenly touted leadership ability, he's displayed plenty of confidence from day one—even on a squad that isn't quite as star-studded as the outfit he joined in 2012.
"It gives other guys opportunities to showcase their talents," Harden said earlier this summer, per The Washington Post's Michael Lee. "Those guys dropped out or are not playing, but you still have other all-stars. We're rolling with what we got and this is going to be enough."
So far, it has been.
And Harden has had plenty to do with it.
With either France or Serbia awaiting in the World Cup finals, odds are he'll have something to do with claiming that gold medal too.
Harden can score against anyone, and there's nothing France or Serbia can do about that. The big question is whether he'll do his part on the defensive end.
The Serbs boast a solid swingman in Bogdan Bogdanovic, who's averaging 11.4 points per contest and making 49.2 percent of his field-goal attempts. Harden could also find himself checking 6'5" point guard Milos Teodosic, who's tallying 12.6 points and 4.3 assists per game in the tournament.
Meanwhile, length will be the primary concern in the event Harden and the Americans face off against France. The NBA's very own Nic Batum (6'8") and Evan Fournier (6'6") could make things interesting on the wing with their size, athleticism and shooting ability.
The United States can't take anything for granted against either opponent. But it can take some solace in the fact that someone like Harden is on its side.
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