ClutchFans Game Thread: Rockets @ Knicks 11/2/2016

Good back to back road win!! Harden is turning into Lebron 2.0 this season. Hopefully we add a few pieces this season to strengthen the rotation and make a run at the WCF!!

 

You can rewatch the game here for free: http://tvrex.net/houston-rockets-vs-new-york-knicks-november-02-2016/
Along with every other nba game.

 

Welcome to my take on him when he was in Denver.

DD

 

I'm assuming you're being sarcastic correct?

 

The "Harden is just another Melo" take that floats around here is one of the more laughable ones.

 

Obviously.

 

anyone have eric gordon highlights?

 

Harden is at a fork in his career...be like melo or be like lebron....let's see and come back to this in 5 years.

 

Melo is what, 6 years older than James? He's also been slowed down by injuries. Need to see what Harden looks like when he's 6 years older and doesn't have the athleticism he once had.

 

Agreed but don't let the curry cult jockriders hear you say that

 

That's not my point. Nor the point people who claim that Harden is just another Melo were/are trying to make.

Of course comparing the 2 at this very moment is just plain stupid.

Harden has been better than Melo ever was and appears to still be getting better. He isn't a team killer, me first, stats chaser and doesn't get his points by mostly inefficient volume shooting.

Comparing those guys even looking just at their peaks, in my opinion, is pretty much a waste of time. Harden is on a different level.

 

I don't think this has much to do with it. Carmelo has always had an amazing skill set , but never properly utilized it. Instead, he turned into a selfish chucker.

Harden is playing team ball while showcasing his talents across the board. Harden could have chosen to go the Melo route (selfish) to get his numbers. Hopefully Harden stays the course.

 

this knicks team will implode before turkey day. Roster is a joke. GM needs to make some magic and trade Noah and Melo

 

If Harden could just stop the gimmicks and play ball, he would be so much more liked and effective. The falling down when he gets hit, looking for calls on threes, getting into a jockeying for position and then backing out, flailing when he gets even a little bump etc. If you don't get why opponents and people who look for pretty basketball just cannot stand Harden because of those things, you're a homer sorry..he has a very pretty game, good looking stroke, crazy assist guy, deep range, throw down dunks, the attitude and the clutch factor outside of the nonsense. He doesn't need it. I'm really surprised by these assists and how easy he makes it look. Just stop with the gimmicks James, please.

 

*Harden posts historic statistics with elite efficiency*

"Ugh! Stop with the gimmicks, James!"

 

One does not exclude the other smart ass

 

Great game Rockets keep it up! Now lets go get Howard and the Hawks!

 

So the same gimmicks that wade Lebron manu and Steph curry have been using for years those gimmicks?

People don't like harden because the media makes the casual fan think he's a no defense ballhog. Harden was loved his first year in houston and he didn't play any different he's actually better now. If you know basketball you appreciate his game and how great he is period.

 

People like you still don't get James. What he does is not a 'gimmick', he sometimes exaggerates contact, but very rarely flat out flops as haters claim. Harden is a master of utilizing change in speed and direction to his advantage- all of Harden's patent moves are based on sudden shift in momentum, such as step backs, crossovers and the euro step - forcing defenders get off-balance, leaving them no choice but to foul him. Most of the time Harden actually does draw legit fouls; what he does that you don't seem to like is just making it more obvious to the refs.

This ESPN articles explains very well why Harden is so successful in what he does.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/17636581

In short, Harden has one of the best 'bracking' systems we've ever seen in the entire sports history, not just in basketball. Again, it's all about catching defenders off-guard with sudden change in speed and direction.

BTW, I do get that Harden's game is less 'pretty', so I have no problem with him being less popular with the regular fans. But you cannot question his basketball IQ or integrity based off of how he plays, because it's all well within the league rules and norm. LeBron, DeRozan and CP3 also frequently accentuates contact, but they simply don't possess that unique ability to put defenders in jail as masterfully as James can, hence the discrepancy in the FT rate. Believe me, all NBA players are taught and encouraged by their coaches to do what Harden does on a regular basis, it's just that they can't deceive defenders as well as James does.

So fans can b**** about Harden's style all they want, players are still gonna have mad respect for Harden - a.k.a. Player's MVP - because he actually does what they wish they could do themselves but can't. Tony Allen said Harden was the most difficult guy that he had to defend when Curry received his first MVP a few years ago, and I'm sure that other great defensive players and coaches echo that sentiment.