He should be top of SG I would put Harden at 1st and 2nd should be Kobe then Kyrie Irving at 3rd. Harden has the same tools like everyone listed to be the best SG plus the Euro steps that are only few of players in NBA has.
Kobe and Wade I would say are the better SG's RIGHT NOW, and would be more trusted to take their team to the promise land in a championship type of game where they have to put their team on their backs. However as far as value to a franchise as a building block, there is no question that not only is Harden hands down the most valuable SG in the entire NBA, he might be a top 5 player as far as value as a building block for the future given his age, current dominance, ability to make everyone on his team better, health(knock on wood), and upside. If you were going to create a draft where you are taking the player you want for the next 10 years to build your franchise around Im pretty sure it looks something like this- 1. Lebron(even at his age) 2. Durant 3. Rose(given he recovers well) 4 through 7 debate- Howard, CP3, Melo, and Harden 8 through 15- Young All-Stars like Love, Westbrook, & co. 15- 20- Young prospects like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, Lillard etc. So IMO its debatable that as far as value in building a franchise goes, Harden could be as high as 4th in my rankings as a franchise building block, and maybe even as high as #3 if Rose's health is in consideration although Im hopefully he comes back at full strength.
WoOW! Interesting statistic there! I was also SHOCKED when Tony Parker got his first triple double of his career earlier this season. Just goes to show how hard it is to compete that hard every single night. James Harden also has everything on his back. The others have a much stronger supporting cast, although I am not complaining about our players because I LOVE THEM ALL. Just the thing is LBJ has Dwade. Kobe has Nash and Howard, and Pau. PP has KG and had Rondo. JAMES THE BEARD HARDEN!!!! James also tore apart LBJ in the 4th qtr. the other night when we almost came back. Like James said "I should have taken the three" (In regards to trying to drive and get the possible AND 1, which instead sealed the game, and the charge was called) James is just learning, and guess what HE IS NOT AFRAID of taking the last shot like LBJ even back when he had his Cavaliers supporting cast!
Very well said. I'd put Harden at #3 if i was building a franchise. Derrick Rose relies on athleticism and his style is very shifty especially when attacking the rim and a major acl injury would almost certainly have a huge effect on him. He will never be the same, IMO. He would still be really good don't get me wrong.
Saying that Harden's career is better than Kobe's career is ridiculous. Saying that Harden is CURRENTLY BETTER than Kobe is not.
That's a interesting stat. He really is like a mini-Lebron James. If his defense improves (which it has been) the Rockets really have netted themselves a special player. Still 23 and still a long way to go blah blah blah but we should be excited right now and just enjoy it.
If you're playing with another great player, like say Dwight, then Harden is a better player to have.
The thing about Harden is his athleticism. He is even more of an elite athlete than I thought before he came to Houston. His leaping ability even in traffic is the most surprising, and I'm impressed with his ability to both initiate and absorb contact while keeping his balance and getting off a good shot. His first step is much quicker than I thought. He may not be sculpted like an Andre Igoudala, but I would put him right up there with the most elite athletic players in the league.
if he carries this team to the playoffs...how could he not be? he can obviously score at will but he makes "the others" better and still gets his. this roster should in no way be a playoff team but if we get there it won't be ALL because of him, but he will have done something that i know for a fact kobe can't do with this squad... and thats get us in the dance
Statistically, he's actually one of the least clutch players in history. If you're talking about end of game shots. The other team basically gears a defense around the idea that Kobe will never pass up the last shot and he's never, ever proven them wrong except with Derek Fisher.
Not trying to derail the thread but it just hit me. Can you imagine what OKC would have looked like if the current bearded one is still with them?
