I've become very interested in james Hardens gamely. So I wanted to take a look at it from its beginning. 08-09 OKC: 9.9 PPG 40%FG 37% 3FG 80%FT 09-10 OKC: 12.2 PPG 43%FG 34% 3FG 84%FT 10-11 OKC: 16.8 PPG 49%FG 39% 3FG 84%FT Averages of 12.9 PPG 44%FG 36% 3FG for his time in OKC where he avg 27 minutes a game Those numbers get Harden his big contract from the Rockets and is proclaimed the superstar that Houston has been looking for. Last two years in Houston 11-12 HOU: 25.9 PPG 43% FG 36% 85%FT 12-13 HOU: 24 PPG 45%FG 29% 3FG 85%FT He is averaging 38.5 minutes a game last two seasons. Total career numbers 16.6 PPG 44%FG 36% 3FG 84%FG So my question: is 16.8 PPG 49%FG 39% 3FG 84%FT enough to be considered a Star or Superstsr and to justify a 80 Million dollar contract. Don't get me wrong I love Harden as the prime option on the team. Just thought he numbers coming from OKC would have been a little higher. People were calling him a superstar when he first got here. Just thought that was interesting.
Plus they didn't call him a superstar when he first got here. But when he went off for 37 and 45 points in his first 2 games as a Rocket everyone's eyes perked up. Then he went off for like I believe like 15 straight games of 30+ points beating Tracy McGrady's (a known superstar) consecutive 30 point game as a Rocket. Then he ended the season averaging 26 points per game. Plus he gets calls like a superstar. That pretty much solidified his status as a star and as a rising superstar.
Yeah I get that. But was Harden a legitimate star or superstar when the Rockets signed him or did he become one when he stared avg 38 minutes as a stater. Was 80 million based in his 10-11 season justified? It's worked out wonderfully for the Rockets but I distinctly remember people saying Harden was a Star/ Superstar when he got here.
Yeah...he was the 6th man for one of the deeper teams in the league. If anything, him being selected to Team USA for the olympics was pretty telling about how he was valued around the league IMO his complete numbers dont exactly do him justice
So was he a legit star when he signed for the 80 mil is the question. He is undeniably a star now but was he then ?
80 million was based off Morey's genius and realizing that Harden had this potential he just needed more minutes and oppurtunity (a chance to start on his own team) Analytics played a huge role in this. For example True Shooting Percentage (TS%) Harden averages around 60%. Most superstars average in the 60's. Most Superstars can do what? 1.) Get to the free throw line (Check) 2.) Get to the basket and create easy shots (Check) 3.) And hit the three point shot effectively (Check) Based on that sample size in OKC. Morey knew it was a no brainer.
Listen to Daryl Morey talk about it. He's very smart. His per 36 averages in OKC were about as good as his averages are now. Morey plugged him into all his equations and had no doubt that he'd be a superstar. So to answer your question simply: yes those okc numbers enough to prove that he's a superstar
Not to mention he can rebound at a fair clip and he is a very willing passer. Now if continues to play defense as he has in the last couple of games he can become a mega superstar. i.e Lebron James and Kobe Bryant level. (he is not there yet... a ways to go)
So you are asking "Was it stupid for Daryl Morey to be a better evaluator of talent than me?" Who cares if the decision seemed bad at time time? We have a dominant team. You have no room to complain.
To score 16.8 points coming off the bench on a team where you have a Russell Westbrook a shooting guard masquerading at the point guard position. Whom loves to jack up a bunch of shots (tops in the NBA every year) and the Kevin Durant (annually the league scoring title champion). Made the decision very easy! Need more information?
All he needed were minutes and shots, anybody who actually paid attention could project. He wasn't a star, but it was clear to Morey that he was gonna be given the opportunity.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say the OP is drunk judging by the time posted. Go with it Truth, it will set you free.
I never said it was a bad decision. Why are some people always so defensive and antagonistic round here. Jeeze. My point is this 16.8 is a solid season but 80 million dollars solid... Just was curious why people were saying Harden was a Star when he signed here. Let me put this in perspective for you last year JR Smith averaged: 18.1 PPG 42% Fg 35% 3FG 76%FT for a 54 win team If some signed him to a 60 or 70 million dollar contract and heralded him as a star or superstar you'd call them freakin crazy. Or better yet let's take Lin since everyone likes talking about him Right now he is avg 15.5 PPG 6 APG on 49%FG 39%FG 80%FT If the Rockets or someone else signed him for 50-80 million dollar contract if he put those numbers up for a season every who be losing their minds saying it would be crazy. Just wanted to know why every was so accepting and ok with the big contract he got given the numbers and their automatic presumption I superstardom. Which did come to pass. But was unknown at the time.
Someone needs to introduce advanced stats and metrics to the op. Box scores should never be considered morey stats when he is giving out contracts
Yeah sorry about that it's one year off. First year was 09-10 First year with Rockets was 12-13. Stats are correct just adjust the year up one
James Harden was 22 (maybe 23 but I think 22) coming off a breakout season in which he won the sixth man of the year and came up HUGE in every playoff series that year except the finals. I mean it was kind of obvious to anyone that watched basketball. Harden was a 3rd pick in the draft. He's a lot bigger, taller, and stronger than a guy like J.R. Smith. He was far more efficient. His true shooting percentage was high. I mean it wasn't just morey that wanted to offer him a max contract. There were at least 4 or 5 others teams that would've offered him max if he became a free agent.
