James Harden is unlike any weapon the NBA has ever seen, said Jalen Rose during a recent broadcast of a Rockets game. The former Fab Five great was unequivocally correct in his assessment. Harden is a scorer unlike anyone before him; it’s not simply that he can score, but how he goes about it.
Most assume that when James is dribbling at the top of the key he’s just, well, dribbling. They’d be wrong. Harden is strategically waiting for his defender to shift their body weight, to move their hips in a direction that signals they’re — even if just slightly — off-balance. That’s when Harden attacks, oftentimes digging into the defender then stepping back to create space. It’s become his signature move for which adidas honors with the latest edition of his Harden Vol. 3.
Although officially titled the adidas Harden Vol. 3 “Wanted,” the shoe is undeniably representative of James’ killer step back. Balance and footwork are central to Harden’s patented move. No different from Jordan’s fadeaway. No different from Hakeem’s Dream Shake. Form meets function.
Expect this new adidas Harden Vol. 3 in retailers soon.
