Okay, so I’ve been seeing this “James Harden travel” thing all over the internet, and I was like, “What’s the big deal?” I figured I’d try to figure it out myself, you know, get to the bottom of this whole controversy.
First, I watched a bunch of videos online. You know, the ones that slow it down and highlight everything. I watched them over and over, trying to count the steps, see the footwork, all that stuff. It’s tougher than it looks when it’s happening so fast!
My Little Experiment
Then, I decided I needed to get hands-on. I grabbed my basketball and headed out to my driveway. It’s not exactly an NBA court, but it’s got a hoop, and that’s all that matters, right?
I tried to mimic Harden’s move. The gather, the step-back, the whole thing. Man, it’s awkward! I kept stumbling, losing the ball, feeling totally uncoordinated. I recorded myself a few times with my phone, just so I could see how ridiculous I looked.
- First attempt: Total fail. I practically fell over.
- Second attempt: Slightly better, but still definitely traveled.
- Third attempt: Okay, I think I almost got the gather right, but the step-back was a mess.
I spent a good hour out there, just practicing. Sweating, tripping, looking like a fool. But you know what? I started to get a feel for it. It’s not easy, that’s for sure. It takes a ton of practice, and even then, it’s so easy to mess up.
After all that, I went back to my videos. This time I used what I felt from the practice.I watched Harden do his magic again, and then looked at my own clumsy * gap between them is very huge,but I am clear about how to do next.
So, my conclusion? It’s complicated. I can see how it looks like a travel, but I also see how, with enough practice and body control, maybe it’s not. I’m still not 100% sure, but at least I have a better understanding of what’s going on. And I got a good workout in the process!