Actually Tmac at the time(Orlando) was better than Kobe. It was later when one became shelf of an athlete due to injuries and the other elevated his status to being legendary. Kobe end up better but talent wise they were like brothers
McGrady was good at the end of close games? Let's check: 2005 round 1 - playoffs vs Dallas - In clutch time (last 5 minutes, 5 or less point difference) McGrady - 22.3.fg%, 0% 3pt% and 24.2 TS% 2007 round 1 - playoffs vs Utah - In clutch time (last 5 minutes, 5 or less point difference) McGrady - 40% fg%, 0% 3pts% and 55.8 TS% 2020 round 1 - playoffs vs OKC - In clutch time (last 5 minutes, 5 or less point difference) Harden 54% fg%, 40% 3pt%, 67% TS% 2019 round 1 - playoffs vs Utah - In clutch time (last 5 minutes, 5 or less point difference) Harden 60% fg%, 33.3 3pt%, 85.1 TS% Those are the two first round series that you cited for McGrady. They aren't even close to Harden's last two first round series.
Did you watch both prime McGrady and Harden live game in-game out? It makes me wonder how someone watching prime Tmac can write things like that. You would never see Ginobli blocking biggest shot of Tmacs career matter of fact he scored 13 in 30 on prime spurs with Duncan, Bowen etc. Not saying he is better than Harden, they played differently but you cant write things like this with straight face. Harden is no Jordan/LeBron/Kobe. Hes not even Dirk bro. Hes just another AI/Carmelo with great stats and no chance at the title as main dog(its cemented now as he went to form his little super team with Durant)
You forgot to write Rockets were heavy favourites in 2019 and 2020 and underdogs in 2004-2007. You just cant compare Dirks Dallas to team led by Rudy Gobert or 90year old CP with gang of rookies
Lebron ain't **** without help. Dirk was special that year he won the chip, but he did play with a lot of help at the peak of their game. All-in-all, Mavs are a great organization with exceptional coaching. I watched T-Mac and Harden live. I'm picking Harden 10 times out of 10 opportunities to choose. Harden would've killed with Yao too, especially with Ron Artest. That one year, we should've won the chip, but T-Mac had already checked out by then. There's ANOTHER factor nobody has talked about here -- longevity. Harden wins that category hands down over T-Mac.
If we were talking about a fantasy comparison, no injuries, both at their prime, same teams, I would go TMac by a longshot. TMac is Kobe and MJ talent w/o their mentality. Harden might be greatest scorer ever, but also lacks mamba mentality. But TMac had the edge on decisive moments IMO. I am sorry to say, but if it was TMac in that game 7 against GSW, we would have won a chip.
I was responding to the statement that McGrady hit big shots down the stretch in those series. He didn't. He was horrible in the clutch vs Dallas and very average vs Utah. Fact is Harden's last 4 years with the Rockets were all better than any single year of McGrady's career.
There are if you look for the highlights. As a fan you've seen McGrady create but he was not any near Harden which is why when posters claim Tracy was a better passer......
I can actually name 3 Harden Big Moments off top of my head that are better than anything TMac did Dort block. Game winning walk off jumper v GSW, 2016 (In a first round loss - very TMac!) 20 something points in 50 point 3rd quarter that turned halftime tie of 2-1 series vs Minn into a Gentleman's sweep What is TMac - dunk on Shawn Bradley?
I'd say it's closer than most of you guys think. In the end, neither one could bring a championship home. Tmac was way more fun to watch.
Harden and it’s not even close. Only someone with extremely low BBIQ would think peak T-Mac is better than Peak Harden.
Tmac was easily the better player. Tmac is top5 most talented players I’ve ever watched. But his heart didn’t match his body
