We are watching an all-time great in his Prime

Media: "We don't need no stinkin' stats. We like Giannis, we don't like Harden. Case closed."

#HardenHaters

 

Was looking up some stats and James Harden leads the league in deflections, is 2nd in league in steals, and 2nd among guards in blocks (behind only Kyle Anderson). For a bad defender, he definitely does a few things to make up for it.

 

Popovich just took a shot at Harden calling his step back a travel.

I am so disappointed.

 

Shame to see we are wasting one of Hardens career years on ducking the luxuary tax.

 

I'm still thinking this thread is REALLY about Morey. just sayin'

 

I swear I came here to post exactly that, this second.

 

great minds, great minds

 

OP is right. Daryl Morey is an all-time great cost cutter.

 

Has Harden reached the 2019 guard version of Hakeem's turning point in 1994? There are some similarities in terms of having made it to the Finals early, then having heartbreaking playoff losses in advanced stages and stepping up a notch and improving yourself every time people try to say you're a choker.

 

Benefit from laying with Harden? I’d say in part yes.

 

On this overall topic, and I'm not sure if this D.I.O.T., but I've been thinking about all the incredible stats from Harden and Westbrick and even Paul George now.

If you look at league history, this season has the highest eFG% ever, and the highest Ortg ever. Over the last four seasons, the average number of 3-point attempts has risen more than 40%.

I mean no shade thrown at Jimmy, because he's absolutely phenomenal. But at some point we also have to offer a little context, right? People are simply scoring more points per shot than they ever have before in league history.

Just seems like some worthwhile context for "league history" discussions. Sorry if this has already been mentioned 100 times. But I found the actual numbers to be pretty interesting.

 

Everything you said is true. Scoring is more efficent than ever thanks to better shot selection around the league. Players now can jack up fewer shots for the same amount of points thanks to higher 3PT rates and FT rates on 2 pointers.

The amazing thing? Harden is still miles ahead of average efficiency despite his massive volume (+24 FGA!) and the league-wide increase in efficiency (55.6% TS%). Harden's relative TS% still surpasses any 35 PPG scorer in the history of the league.

2018-19 Harden: 36.5 PPG, +6.7% relative TS%
1986-87 Jordan: 37.1 PPG, + 2.4 relative TS%
2005-06 Bryant: 35.4 PPG, +2.3 relative TS%
1962-63 Chamberlin: 44.8 PPG, +6.6% relative TS%

So, no, you can't use the league's increased scoring prowess to diminish Harden's accomplishments.