Harden And The Top Scorers In The League Assisted and Unassisted FGs

Also a part of my point.

 

We had that high of an offense cuz of Harden.... Which has greater value and impact individually.

Team defense >>> individual defense... Always.
And you could easily argue offensive liabilities get exploited even more... Look at how teams played Brewer this year... Look at how teams exploit Roberson on OKC... And Tony Allen in the playoffs especially last year.

Did we lose in the WCF the previous year cuz of Harden's defense? Not even close... Harden thoroughly outplayed Klay in every aspect.... But.... He didn't have the help offensively... No one else stepped up or provided some consistent offense or playmaking outside of him and GS was able to key in on him with MULITPLE defenders in Iggy, Klay, and Green.

You see how often you can surround great offensive players with great defenders in the past and succeed in winning it all.

Look at Dirk in the past... Look at Curry now.. He has multiple great defenders at every other position and on the bench... Which is exactly why you'll see primary offensive superstars win as the guy, but you won't see the same with primarily defensive ones.

Ever heard the saying great offense beats great defense every time? Elite individual offense is more valuable and more impactful than elite individual defense from a perimeter player every time.

When it comes to the elite offensive players... They aren't "stopping" Durant, Lebron, Harden, etc.. sure they can make it harder on them, but elite 1v1 perimeter defense does not mean much or more than the team D... If you look at both ends of the spectrum.. You'll always take a Curry over a Tony Allen. There's more than one reason for this, but for one when Curry gets hot.. You can't stop him.

Yes defense does win championships... BUT that is TEAM defense... You still need an individual that can and will take over games.. hit the big shots when needed and lead the teams offense.

Some foolishly think perimeter defense has a similar value or is equal to perimeter offense, when the value difference is closer to 3 or heck maybe even 4 to 1.... the opposite can be said when referring to big men and interior defense.

The center spot is probably the only position where defensive worth is comparable to offense and it very well may be more valuable there.

When it really comes down to it..
Defense especially on the perimeter is very team based(good rotation, recovery, help defense)... It's reliant on that much more so than offense, where a single elite player could carry an offense... Which is why we're so highly ranked. You won't see this with a single quality defender.

Harden has had rough nights, both offensively and defensively but you could count on him to contribute something if his shot isn't falling. He will get to the line; or if he isn't getting to the line or he can't get a shot, he can get you 6-8 assist and you can run the offense through him. And lately whenever the Rockets have needed a big play, he is the one making the shot or play... Curry is a great shooter, but he's also a great playmaker who can contribute as well if his jumper is off. They're also clutch, can score easily in iso situations, and excel at creating for their teammates. Curry could even be a zero on defense and he'd still be better than a Paul George just because of the relative value and impact of offense and defense from their positions.

That is not to say George is a zero on offense cuz he's not.. It's just to say that a decent or even perimeter offensive player with elite defense is not equal to or better than an elite perimeter offensive player with average or mediocre defense.

Exactly

 

^ Here ya go

 

Something mentally yes, but he's also lost a step and can barely throw it in the ocean.