VIDEO: James Harden takes lazy defense to new level

James Harden's reputation as a terrible defender precedes him almost as much as his rep as a phenomenal scorer does.

The thing is, Harden's defensive shortcomings have more to do with a lack of effort than a lack of ability on his own end of the court. As the two-time All-Star has shown early this season, when he is fully engaged on the defensive end, he's capable of some impressive, two-way basketball.

Despite Harden's defensive improvements so far this season, however, expecting excellence from him on that end of the court at all times is unrealistic, as he reminded us all on Monday against the New York Knicks.

Check out this transition "defense."