Cousins was better last year tbh, his defense after being quite good last year has dropped off again. In all honesty, watching him, it feels like he's in the same passive "this is a waste of my time, so i'm not playing defense" protest that Harden did against Mchale in those last few games. He's not working for rebounds, he's not working for turnovers (something that was always his strength for a center). The only thing he's really increased is his shot attempts, he's playing slightly less minutes too, so you'd expect some efficiency/defensive improvement upturn too.
Cousins was way better last year than this year the Forsure. He's never been nor will he ever be better than Harden. This isn't the 80s/90s big men even as great as cousins or dare I say even Davis just can't be the best player on a championship team. The NBA is a guards/wing player league now. You gotta have a curry/Harden/ lebron/KD type talent to win a championship nowadays. I'd even take Paul George and Leonard over cousins and prob George over Davis if I'm being honest. PG is getting awfully close to being on that first tiers level. If he keeps it up the whom season I'll be sold that he's a true championship level number one like lebron/curry/harden/KD.
Cousins is shooting 42% from the field. That is just awful for a center. Harden will be up around 45% by the end of the season. Are you for real?
Based on what? Dwight Howard? LOL The problem is, there currently aren't any centers nearly as good as 80s/90s.
It's because of how they call the game. But a big man with good handles and an outside touch (shooting) would easily be getting calls that guards if he shows the dexterity to handle and drive and shoot the way a guard does. The NBA will change because I believe in Adam Silver. He takes action really well.
If you are going to raise Harden's current 40% shooting (which is "just awful" for a SG) to his career average, then why wouldn't you offer Cousins the same respect? Cousins is over 47% his previous 3 yrs. He's not going to stay at 42% anymore than Harden is staying at 40%
Not really even sure why are we are discussing Harden vs. Cousins. Harden is unquestionably more accomplished both team-wise and individually. It's an embarrassing comparison for anybody who claims to be a Rockets fan.
I feel bad for Sacramento, the way cousins is holding them hostage is sad... They know he is a elite talent but he has a horrible head on his shoulders. I mean when he was just driving from the three point line I was at a loss for words. And than he goes an commits a horrible foul to Harden to foul out. Just amazing to see such a bonehead be so talented.
This is the era of Clutchfans we're in. Idiocy runs rampant. and not just from newbies but from long-established posters. Look at DD.
You missed the entire point of my post. Yung-T claimed Cousins was 'much improved' and enjoying a better season than Harden. Hence why I quoted the shooting percentages. Of course, you are right and I absolutely agree with you. But that's not what I was arguing.
Agree to disagree...... Davis is The so called best player in the league by many media ppl and fans. His team currently is sitting at 5-16!!!! I don't care how many injuries they have that's just a bad team and it starts with him. It's really hard for a big because at the end of the day he's not running the offense. He still has to be fed the ball by Tyreek, jrue and Gordon. Cousins? Don't get me started the dude is 7 ft and shoots worse from the field then any elite wing in the game has never had a winning record in 6 seasons. It's on him can't keep making excuses on coaches players ext. there's a lot of talent on that roster and he's the leader. You said there's not elite bigs around and you sight howard? Who ironically was the last big to be the best player on a contender and lead his team to a finals berth. The way the game is played with more 3s and less post ups since their largely being proven as ineffecient is the reason for why I think the days of big men being the best player on a conteder are over, Not because of talent. The game is just differnt now, bugs are still super important but there not the focal points they were even 5 years ago. Davis can be the best talent in the league but until he teams up with a George/Harden/curry type player he's not winning a championship. Those teams with those player (elite wings) will always have the advantage over a Davis lead team. Imo.
Harden takes a lot of threes and free throws, this deflates his FG% so the career 45% FG is lower than it seems. 3s lower FG% while fts where Harden is automatic isn't counted in FG%, in this case I'd look more in TS% where you see Harden is actually elite for his entire career. I haven't watched Cousins play a lot but honestly a career 47% FG is horrible for a big man who should be in the post most of the time. He has been expanding his game and taking more 3s but given his amazing ability to rebound, pass and score in the post I don't think its a good idea to have him out in the 3 pt line, the only reason they're doing it is because Rondo their pg has a broken jumper.
Look Harden is obviously better than Cousins but at least it's somewhat of a debate. That's nowhere near as bad as claiming he's level with Rondo & Lawson. Honestly one of the most pathetic posts I've seen on here. I cannot take that poster seriously anymore. That's pure irrational hatred coming from a supposed Rockets fan. Hell, I doubt even Harden's biggest hater outside these boards would make such an egregious claim. Completely disrespectful to Harden.
Easier to win titles with former MVP runner-up than a player who's never even led his team to the playoffs, let alone WCF. Just sayin.
Lol anyone saying cousins over Harden is a complete basketball moron. No Gm would take Damarcus Cousins over James Harden. Factor in the guy can't lead, is a head case shoots to many jumpers and always finds a way to miss 15 games a year from some random injury. The James Harden hate is getting out of hand around here. Let's see.... bash the player who's gotten the rockets to 2 straight 50+ win seasons and 3 straight playoffs berths while getting a better seed each year and going to the WCF. Keep in mind it had been 17 years since any of that was done smh. Or hype up the next scrub Allstar who hasn't made the playoffs in 6 years gotten 2 coaches fired bout to be 3rd. Been suspended by his own team multiple times. Ppl need to get over it Kyle Lowry and scola were fun and played hard but never got us further than a 14th lottery pick 3 staright years. (The worst place to be in baskeball). I think some around here are scared to have championship aspirations and woukd rather go into the season knowing we just don't have it.
Honestly if the debate is "Cousins has equal value to Harden." then okay, fine. That's a debate you can have. Value is value. Ben Simmons can come into the NBA and average a triple double while leading his team to 10-0 and I'm sure the team that has him at that time would say they wouldn't trade him for anything. Lebron's value drops since he gets older, he's still a top 3 player in the NBA though. Would the Kings straight up trade Cousins for Harden? I think they would because I think everyone knows he's gone ASAP so they have to get something for him. The Rockets wouldn't trade Harden for Cousins though. Again, that is debating value. Debating who is the better player though? Easily Harden.
