Harden's defense, both 1 on 1 and pick and roll, is a much bigger problem than people realize. Opposing players are frequently blowing past him on drives.
LOL So you expect the coaches and Parsons to target our best offensive player and tell him to play better offensively. Meanwhile, Howard and Lin both turn the ball over more. You are living in a fantasy land and are focusing on the wrong things. His turnover rate is well within an acceptable range.
80% of Lin's turnovers consist of Jumping in the air throwing it to the other team I rage so ******* hard when he does it
THE bottom line is the +- HOUSTON ROCKETS (49-24) FIELD GOALSREBOUNDS POS MIN FGM-A 3PM-A FTM-A +/- OFF DEF TOT AST PF ST TO BS BA PTS J. Harden G 36:06 4-10 2-6 16-16 -17 1 0 1 7 2 2 4 0 0 26 J. Lin G 32:55 6-14 2-4 2-2 -14 1 3 4 2 0 1 2 0 1 16 Last night Lin played better.. hmmn.
Turnovers caused by being aggressive and driving to the lane are fine with me. All those lazy passes do get on my nerves though. I agree with other posters that his TO rate is comparable with other high production players so im not too worried about it. But if Harden wants to become a true superstar and not just a star he needs to cut down on the lazy turnovers and play better defense. If he does those things then I will be able to confidently call him a superstar. But he still has time to correct that before reaching the beginning of his prime (~27). I do feel bad for Lin and hate seeing all the excessive criticism of everything he does, but if anyone follows the game thread they would see people flame any player who makes a mistake (trashpi, etc..) I don't like any of that.
The same way he was "targeted" for his defense earlier this year and responded by playing better defensively?
The point is that Harden's turnover rate is comparable to all of the other high scoring/assist wing players. Do you also believe that Lebron and Wade need to be called out too? Did you ever see Magic Johnson's turnover%? It was almost 20. Likewise Stockton's was right at 20. If you're going to try to create and continually attack then you're going to have turnovers. Drexler, Barkley, Bird, Isiah Thomas, Ginobli and Westbrook all have a slightly higher turnover % than Harden's 12.5. The two exeptions are Chris Paul and Michael Jordan. Both are freakishly good at not turning the ball over.
If all you are going to go by is the +/- then Garcia, Hamilton and Montejunes were the Rockets best players last night. Do you really believe that?
I don't get it why do everyone here compare Lin and Harden, turnovers are turnovers, it doesn't matter who commits them it still hurts the team, comparing Harden to Lin for literally everything is like saying LeBron is allowed to make lots of turnovers because Mario Chalmers makes the same amount of t/os. You are comparing two players in two completely different skill leagues. Nobody is arguing that they are anywhere close in terms of value and production.
Lin has a microscope on him at all time because his crazy fans put one on him by praising his every little action. It is only expected that the opposite will be true as well, especially considering how hated Lin fans have made themselves. Truth is, all Rockets players get criticism when they do bad. Lin's just stands out more because his fans made sure he has a ton of scrutiny. It just so happens that now its overwhelmingly negative, LoF's don't like it anymore. I am sure if everyone were to be worshipping Lin like they do, you wouldn't hear a fart out of them complaining how other people don't get the same adulation.
Harden a super star playing like one Lin paid as a star but playing like a r****ds its insulting to compare Harden to Lin, not even close
I believe the main point being made is that Harden's turnover rate is right in line with most every other high scoring/assist wing player not named Michael Jordan. It really has nothing to do with Jeremy Lin. Basically if you're going to initiate that much of the offense then you're going to commit some turnovers. The question was posed earlier (but received no replies)...what do you think is the acceptable number of turnovers per 100 possessions for a player that handles the ball a large portion of the time?
James Harden TOV%: 15.5 Jeremy Lin TOV%: 18.8 James Harden AST%: 26.0 Jeremy Lin AST%: 22.5 James Harden USG%: 27.8 Jeremy Lin USG%: 20.4 GoRox2013 Terrible Post %: 100.0
His turnovers are atrocious just like his defense was. The type of turnovers he has are unacceptable and need to be addressed. Last nite was a prime example
I think some of his turnovers also come with his ability to draw fouls. In some of the cases if he doesn't draw a foul, its a turnover and that is up to the ref's whimsy if he calls or not. Harden benefits from this style, to ask him to stop would be like asking him to cut his beard.
Not a Lin vs Harden thread. If your going to insult, atleast try to read the thread your insulting Bringing up Jeremy Lin takes away from the conversation
