Nuggets' Michael Malone: Defending Rockets' James Harden like a horror movie

PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) reacts after being called for a foul against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, in Houston. The Rockets won 132-108. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip) Browse through the photos to see how the Rockets have fared in each game this season. less PHOTOS: Rockets game-by-game Houston Rockets' James Harden (13) reacts after being called for a foul against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, ... more Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press Photo: David J. Phillip/Associated Press Image 1 of / 110 Caption Close Nuggets' Michael Malone: Defending Rockets' James Harden like a horror movie 1 / 110 Back to Gallery

DENVER - Nuggets coach Michael Malone laughed off the idea that he might come up with “a new wrinkle” to defend Rockets guard James Harden. Beyond the impossibility of that, Malone said coming up with a defensive game plan for the league’s top scorer is the most difficult of his tenure in the NBA.

“Yeah, a new wrinkle,” Malone said. “I think he’s seen every single conceivable defensive coverage and he demands that kind of attention. He’s a great player. I’ve been in the league 19 years and no disrespect to all the other great players in those 19 years but he’s I think the toughest guy to prepare for.

“He can hit the 3. He gets to the foul line a ton. He makes his teammates better. He can create his own shot. If you want to force him left, he’s going to beat you. If you want to force him right, he can still beat you. He’s one of those guys when you’re watching film it’s like you’re watching a horror movie.”

Harden leads the NBA in scoring, going into Wednesday’s game averaging nearly nine points more than the second-leading scorer Giannis Antetokounmpo. He leads in shots attempted, 3-pointers attempted, and free throws attempted, with his average of a career-high 14.5 attempts from the foul line making defending without fouling the first line in most game plans regardless of the rest of the scheme used.

“He’s a master of drawing the foul,” Malone said. “They changed NBA rules because of James Harden, so you know he’s doing something right. You have to show your hands. You can’t get caught with your hand over the ball. He does a great job of drawing contact and raking the ball through. When he’s shooting 3s you have to give him room to land. It’s a challenge.”

GO BEYOND THE GAME: Go inside the breaking news and box scores with insights, detailed analysis and metrics in our Texas Sports Nation newsletter. Subscribe here.