Harden is not on an ALL NBA team for 2015/16

i think that other than the "stories" related to Harden defense... i start to think that there is an unconsicous judgement on Harden based on his physical appearence = his BEARD

people might not admit it but it can be a real factor

 

Harden will change his name to James Kardashian and have his beard professionally pruned in the shape of Khloe's ass. Then he will be a changed man on a mission.

 

dude got paid he doesn't care.

 

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Agree with it?

Pablo Torre: Who do you leave off? Guys at the bottom of the totem pole so to speak, Lowry & Lillard, and I think we've done an interesting thing with James Harden. We both realize there are certain things we can call empty stats. There's not the team success that correlates with it and we're skeptical about it. We're also doing this thing where we still don't respect this guy because of his game. The fact he is this ballhog type of player, even if he's tremendous and averages 29/8/7 or whatever it is, we still realize his style of play isn't our thing. We're smart about it yet still unfair in some regards.

Byron: Agree there. Look at that list, they're all 2-way players. He's getting a reputation that doesn't guard anyone or play defense on that end of the floor. He rests on that end and gives all his energy on the offensive end. He's one of the best offensive players in the game. You start naming the top ten, he's gonna be on that list. I do know this, this list we're looking at now, it's all about guys who play both ends. He's not that guy right now. He has the capability. He's underachieved on that end of the floor. People are turned off by that. They want everyone to be a 2-way player in this league nowadays.

 

There have always been deserving guys who get snubbed because of position. In the 90s, Olajuwon, Robinson, Ewing, O'Neal, and even Mutombo were all playing at an all-NBA level at the same time. But only 3 of those guys made the team each year.

 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but the idea that everyone above him plays defense is laughable. Lillard for example is a far worse player.... Durant and Westbrook didn't defend until the playoffs. There are very few players that handle a large offensive load and still defend. Kwahi Leonard; Jim Butler; Klay Thompson ... Somewhat Chris Paul.... That is about it. None of those guys carry the offensive load Harden does.

If by some miracle the Rockets defense improves the storyline will be about Harden's defense improving even if he is the same defensively.

 

Is this guy serious or plain ignorant? Deandre Jordan, Curry, WB, Lillard, etc. are not 2-way players. They are all below average to horrible on one side of the ball. Even guys like Durant, Cousins and LMA are average defenders at best.

And why not just refer to stats like plus/minus to find out the net worth of a player, instead of this obsession with 2-way thing, as if it's a 50:50 split? It's not, great offensive talent with so-so defense has always been more valuable to his team than vice versa. While players such as Steve Nash, Dirk Nowitzki and Stephen Curry have won multiple MVPs, Dikembe Mutombo or Dennis Rodman never came close. As an individual player, you're much more likely to make meaningful contributions on offense than defensively, the latter requires more teamwork and group cohesion.

 

You guys do know Clutchfans is the reason why Harden doesn't get a fair shake in the media right? Some LOF on here created that video out of spite.

Little did he know how much of a huge affect it would have on Harden & the Franchise. Harden played above average defense this year & still didn't get credit.

Only way to save his reputation at this point is to become this era's Michael Jordan. And that's no exaggeration.

 

This is laughable. He barely tried on defense most games.

He was average on defense last year and he was given credit, hence #2 in mvp voting.

He has only himself to blame for not making an all nba team. I wonder if he was even in shape at the end of the year

 

Last year was his above average defense. This year Harden defense went 2013-2014 mode.

 

That's arguable

http://www.todaysfastbreak.com/from-the-courts/nbas-lopsided-1-way-players-offensive-edition/

Not saying he played above average defense, but definitely not as bad as the media makes it out to be.

 

If he put up the same numbers on Knicks he'd be 1st team. The media is indirectly telling Harden he needs to leave Houston

 

It's a popularity contest. the media nerds are all cliquing up and being the 'mean girls' towards Harden and going with what's hot. Harden's game isnt very appealing. His reputation as a defensive mongoloid precedes him.

He's an effective offensive player and I'm glad he's a Rocket, but I can see why he gets shat on so much.

 

People get snubbed all the time.

Harden fan bois : Cherry pick stats and refute team results and what everybody around the league says.

Verdict out: "They're all just haters!!!"

 

Time to shave off the beard

and come back with a vengeance

 

Holy ****. And to think these fools are paid to spew this chit out. Have mercy.

 

Mark Jackson and JVG defending Harden during the Cavs game broadcast

 

Moral of the story? Perception matters. This holds true in any industry or society. Facts and truths are largely relevant, if the other side simply does not like you.

 

LMAO, you think the media people actually watches all 82 Rox games and examine every part of Harden's game in detail, like I do? They base much of their opinion on 'highlights' and 'lowlights', Harden just fell victim to people's implicit or even explicit bias of focusing on the latter.

10 second vine clips and edited youtube videos are the definition of 'cherry-picking'. Average stats at least tries to measure how a given player generally performs, however imperfect it might be.

 

Byron's part of the conspiracy