Can he surpass the Rockets record, held by Olajuwon I guess, of 13 straight 25+ point games? James Harden has scored 25+ in 10 straight games now.
Because back in the day teams played real defense, not these pansy fouls, like being touched on the arm.
Its harder. Athletes are better in todays game and defense in general is much tougher. Defenses have been improving a lot, its just that offenses have been as well. Thats how it works in all sports, as time goes on and the population increases, along with better technology and training regimens, the sportsmen get more athletic. Thats why in sports like running, for example, the world record times from the early 90s wouldn't even be fast enough to qualify for the olympic finals today. Many NBA stars from the 20th century would be role players in todays game, if that at all.
Much more difficult I would say. The numbers bear it out too. No one in the previous 2 seasons has broken 10 games aside from Kobe. And only 4-5 players have streaks longer than 10 games in the last 5-6 years.
I find it completely opposite. If anything, the lack of talent nowadays compared to back then is huge. Besides, if harden came down the lane with the ball low during bulls/pistons era, he'd end up with a broken nose every night. Hard flagrant fouls today were common statement personal fouls back then. It's been stated many times that the shooting guard in today's game lacks midrange, whereas back then, they actually had to shoot the ball because euro stepping down the lane would have them flat on their touchas. More like how many 21st century stars would get a spot on the bench in the 90's...
If the game was called differently today, Harden would figure out some other way to score. The 90's weren't better or worse, but they were different. Every player in today's game is a great athlete. Thin, strong, fast. No one looks like Anthony Mason any more because you'd be too slow to play the modern game. Today's players would get backed down in the post every possession by the 90's players and would have trouble locating a rebound. 90 basketball ≠ 2012 basketball thus cannot be compared fairly.
Never fails to amaze me how people continue to romanticize the past. "lack of talent" It was easier to score during the late 80's, early 90's.
HAND CHECKING. Common guys, do you homework. It was not easier in the past when this was allowed. The league has made it much easier for offense to heat up in order to entertain crowds. Yet another move by Stern and Co.
Great point... Every era is different... Back then, there where more true centers in the game _ now there are very few... And true there are no more HARD fouls, but that doesn't mean the defense was better because if you look at the numbers they scored more points back then.. Was it because they where better jump shooters...??? Maybe... But at the same time players where not as long and lengthy and as athletic as they are now... In today's game you have guys playing shooting guard and small forward that whould have been power forwards back then which makes it more difficult to get a good shot off. It's hard to say which era is better when good cases can be made by both. But in any case what Harden is doing from a guard position at his size is an accomplishment.
Don't get me wrong, I loved the trade for harden, and he is uber efficient, a sure-fire star. I just think the X straight 25 ppg is a bit skewed. I would honestly not like my team (thus, our last few years) if we didn't have a bonafied go-to guy who can get that each night comfortably. But quite a few people can get that 25 points in today's game that I just do not believe are stars. The 2000's have been littered with chuckers, harden is not one of them. It's a nice run, and even better when we win, but, it's not an earth shattering record. And on the Kobe side note thing, he scores at will, 25+ all the time, but like Melo, neither of them can hit a clip of 50%, so, that's another reason it's been kinda not happening in this day and age, pure scorers just can't f'n shoot anymore.
Also, disbanding illegal defence and allowing for zones. The NBA honestly should of told the Supersonics what illegal defence was back then.
Hahaha, and back in the day, politicians were honest and kids respected their parents, right? Teams had a higher scoring output during Hakeem's time than they do now...
No such thing as jinx just utter skill and hard work. All it ever is but what goes around does come around but I think James Harden has been a good boy.
Rules have been changed to favor scoring guards instead of defenders. Things like the hand check rules, the level of physicality allowed before foul calling, etc.
