James Harden’s Kinesiology Tape– Who Cares If It Works?

James Harden wears the kinesiology tape (KT) on his shoulder–and that’s enough to make kids all over the place want some. Indeed Harden’s healthy but taped shoulder could do for kinesiology tape what Allen Iverson did for the sleeve and Michael Jordan for the wristband on the forearm. The items may not actually do anything, but then Bill Russell played a career without major injuries in rudimentary canvas Converse Chuck Taylor All-Stars while today MVP Kevin Durant hurts his foot constantly in his zillion dollar 21st century Nike Air space shoes. Much can be said for perception. Harden wins the MVP kids are gonna get taped. They’re gonna line up for KT.

Writer Brett Pollakoff tracks the kinesiology tape believers, including Harden’s trainer Jason Biles, at probasketballtalk.com. The New York Times is more skeptical about whether the tape does anything. Trainer Biles admits the tape helps athletes “psychologically” and that’s plenty. Harden says the tape “gets the blood flowing and circulating around” his body. The heart also plays a part in this, but who’s quibbling with The Beard? He’s unstoppable.