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Harden responds to Green's 'unnatural' comments

Rocky Widner / National Basketball Association / Getty

At the invite-only party for his signature shoe launch for adidas on Saturday, Houston Rockets guard James Harden responded to criticism of his unique style on the court - but it had nothing to do with sneakers.

Ben Golliver of Sports Illustrated queried the 27-year-old about Draymond Green's comments to Bay Area reporters that Harden's layups were "unnatural acts." Green was referring to Harden's two-handed, swooping layup attempts that frequently draw fouls.

"I wouldn’t call it unnatural," Harden said. "For me, I just go to the basket and go up with two hands like you're taught. If you grab my arm it's a foul. That's pretty natural in the sport of basketball, in any league. I don't know about whatever else (Green) has got going on."

Green, the Golden State forward, had a rule named after him due to his own repeated instances of striking other players with his flailing legs. He accidentally kicked Harden in the head during Thursday's loss to the Rockets.

"Some people are copying mine as well," Harden said of his play. "I'm not going to say any names, but you’ve got a lot of people doing my moves, going to the basket, looking for contact, all that stuff. That's what you call being a trendsetter, that's what you call being somebody people look up to. It's a great feeling for me."

Harden is shining under new Houston coach, Mike D'Antoni. He's averaging 28.3 points, 11.8 assists, and 7.6 rebounds per game through Saturday for the 13-7 Rockets.

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