Efficiency does make you a better scorer when the volume of taken shots are about the same. And this is moot point, because I agree that Jordan is a better scorer than Harden. But offensively as a whole? That's debatable.
Harden currently ranks first in ORPM, OWS and second in OBPM (which is less accurate.) Harden is clearly the best offensive player this season, and having one of the best offensive seasons of all time. So, it's really not that ridiculous to compare Harden with the likes of Jordan or Magic, if we are talking about just this season. That's what many people did with last year's Curry too.
I never claimed we had as much talent as GSW or Cavs. I think we clearly have more offensive talent than Spurs. The question is how much better is our offense compared to their defense. I also never claimed we were better than GSW or Cavs although I would give us about 20% chance to beat them given how we're playing. I just said we are not as one-dimensional as you think, and the fact is harden is so good that stopping him frees up other attack areas that we now that we have much better personnel. Btw I think that Gordon is a better shot creator than anyone on GSW other than curry and Durant. Neither iguodala or Livingston are true shot creator. And Anderson can create shots better than draymond - that's not his strong point. I'd love to have another star. But that star is not Rubio. I actually am in the camp that thinks chandler would make a huge difference on this team (nerlens too but I think he will cost too much).
Is Harden the closest thing we have had to Magic Johnson? If so, Harden's nickname should be Magical Johnson.
Meanwhile, if we only had Ricky Rubio as the efficient point guard that Harden really needs, we'd be up to our asses in Larry O'Brien trophies. How do I know that? Because I know that. You don't need evidence or details, just accept it. But because I'm feeling extra-generous with my evidence tonight, just check out the fine defense Señor Rubio played in this last-second loss to the Wolves tonight: First Ricky hops in place, then he bounces in place as Covington blows by him, then he continues to hop and bounce as he watches the lowly Sixers beat his team. Anyone who doesn't want this stellar example of PG masculinity running our team instead of the Bearded Imposter needs to have their private newsletter subscription revoked.
You don't know that I can guarantee you that MDA doesn't want the ball out of Hardens hands. You know how I know that? Because the rockets offense rating is top 3 of all time. He might want another playmaker, what team doesn't want good players but MDA knows James is the best player and unless your bringing Lebron James here than nobody coming in should take the ball out of harden hands period. The rockets are really good I don't know what they have to do to prove to people that there for real. Do they have enough to beat the Warriors and Cavs? Prob not because those teams have 7 all stars combined the rockets have one. But the Spurs? The rockets will beat them in the playoffs just like every other team has beat them the last few years. The Spurs are not better than houtson the rockets gifted them that last one and pop and that whole team knows that. We had a 13 point lead with 4 min to go and we're shooting 38% for the game while they had one of there top 5 shooting games of the season. Do we need a Paul George to be on the Warriors level ? Absolutely. But harden is the man and the guy who needs the ball in his hand. He's a fantastic playmaker one of the best of the last 15 years. His 5-6 TOs a game are not going to be the reason the Rockets don't win a chip.
I know MDA likes Rubio a lot. I also know MDA isn't about to rock the boat with Harden. I also know Harden doesn't want to play with any point guard that can't go to the wing and shoot up and shoot effectively. Harden wants to play with a subordinate point guard, a player that will stand in the wing and catch and shot and won't take the ball out if hardens hands at all. So plainly, we're not trading for Rubio because the whole organization from Les to Daryl to Mike all the way down to the janitors see giving Harden what Harden wants. Even if we trade for Bledsoe or Dragic or Chris Paul they're going to be spotting up on the wing and will only be up top when Harden sits.
We would not have to sell out for either player. By the same token if the Spurs get their mitts on Rubio they're going to beat us to death with him. We really should acquire a great from-the-top distributor. There's more than enough minutes for that guy, whoever he is. Here's what many clutchfans don't understand. They accuse me of wanting to move James off the ball like I never want him to play at the point. I have never said that nor advocated that. What I have stated repeatedly is Harden needs to be the second distributor. That means he should be running the point with the second unit for about 18 minutes a game when the primary distributor is on the bench. And then he should be the second wave playmaker catching the ball in the triple threat in half court sets when the primary playmaker is in. In transition offense he should leak out (since he's such a poor defender anyways) and bet in position to finish more plays than he even does now. Why? Well running the point against opponent second teams instead of their first teams is going to lower his turnover count substantially. Second team defenses simply aren't as stout as first team defenses. He will score and dish even more efficiently against them than he does against opponents defensive starters. Secondly by catching the ball in the triple threat in half court sets he becomes even more deadly. Spot up 3 ball is over 40%. Plus all the quick fakes and drives to the rim with the defense already bent. I promise you Harden would score more, be even a more efficient scorer, and also be a more efficient passer/playmaker in this type of setup because he would be finishing more.
This. THIS!!!! My hands-down absolute favorite post EVER on ClutchFans. Holic's brain explodes with confusion when someone claims Holic might have admitted he was wrong about ONE THING. I'm dying here.
