Cynthia Cooper: James Harden didn't bring over the Euro step, it was me

2 min read
Cynthia Cooper: James Harden didn't bring over the Euro step, it was me

Cynthia Cooper: James Harden didn't bring over the Euro step, it was me

Cynthia Cooper: James Harden didn't bring over the Euro step, it was me

Cynthia Cooper: James Harden didn't bring over the Euro step, it was me

Cynthia Cooper: James Harden didn't bring over the Euro step, it was me

In the world of basketball, few moves are as iconic as the Euro step—a slick, sidestepping maneuver that leaves defenders grasping at air. While many fans credit James Harden for popularizing it in the modern NBA, Hall of Famer Cynthia Cooper is setting the record straight: she was the one who brought it to the game.

"James Harden didn't bring over the Euro step. It was me," Cooper said in a recent interview. "I'm saying I was a different player, and we could complement each other."

Cooper, a four-time WNBA champion and two-time Finals MVP, revolutionized women's basketball with her creative scoring arsenal. Her signature runner off the glass and her ability to change directions mid-drive laid the groundwork for what we now call the Euro step. Long before Harden made it a nightly highlight, Cooper was using it to slice through defenses and create space.

But Cooper's impact goes beyond individual moves. She emphasized the importance of team chemistry, particularly in pick-and-roll situations. "Get off this pick and roll. You're going to pop sometimes, you're going to roll sometimes. I got you for the three-point shot," she explained, referencing her connection with teammate Tina Thompson. "Once we all came together and understood that we could bounce off of each other and play off of each other, no one could stop us. We had that recipe."

For basketball fans and players alike, Cooper's legacy is a reminder that innovation doesn't always come from the most obvious sources. Whether you're looking to add a Euro step to your game or just appreciate the history behind it, Cooper's story is a testament to the creativity and skill that defines the sport at every level.

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