League: NBA Sport: Basketball Country: United States Category: Transactions

Tony Allen criticizes James Harden's ball-dominant style on podcast

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 21, 2026, 11:47 AM

Last updated Sep 21, 2026

Tony Allen criticizes James Harden's ball-dominant style on podcast

Summary

James Harden is facing criticism for his ball-dominant style from former NBA player Tony Allen. During an episode of 'Out the Mud Podcast,' Allen highlighted how Harden's heavy dribbling often sidelines teammates, contrasting his approach with Dwyane Wade's sacrifices during his career. Former teammate Patrick Beverley also noted that Harden's high usage leads to fatigue in crucial playoff moments, impacting his performance. The discussion underscores ongoing debates regarding Harden's role and effectiveness on the court.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Tony Allen calls out James Harden's excessive dribbling on a podcast.
•Allen compares Harden's style unfavorably to Dwyane Wade's teamwork.
•Patrick Beverley mentions Harden's fatigue impacting playoff performances.
•Harden's ball-dominant playstyle leads to teammate disengagement.

Latest Updates

11:47 AMYahoo Sports — James Harden Faces Brutal Criticism as 6x All-Defensive Star Calls Out His Ball-Dominant Style

What they're saying

"
NBA star guard James Harden is one of the best offensive players. However, not everyone is a fan of his ball-dominant style of basketball. One of the people who isn’t fond of how Harden plays is former player Tony Allen. Allen and Harden faced each other countless times. A former six-time All-Defensive selection was renowned [...]
— Yahoo Sports

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