Lebron and KD are elite defenders. Kobe seems like he can be a very good defender when he is motivated or on a big stage. Harden's gotta improve the other side of his game before he can be considered top 3.
Harden has played phenomenal defense too. But on the matter of Kobe have you seen his defense lately? Its gotten to the point where it is just age. Ariza was lighting him up yesterday and getting that step on him over and over...
Kobe doesn't belong anywhere near the top 5 any more. Harden is better than him. Neither plays defense and Harden is a more efficient scorer. Also, Harden passes the ball.
What?? Kobe is 34, shooting the best FG% of his 16 year career, and averaging his 3rd highest season in APG. I have no idea what's wrong with the Lakers, but its not Kobe's play on the court. He may not be top 5, but most definitely Top 10. As for Harden, not top 3, not yet. Remember Kevin Martin was actually one of the top players for scoring efficiency at one point in his career. Would anyone have him ranked Top 20 in any season?
the only thing that holds me back from saying harden is top 5 is experience, and he has been given the reigns to be "the man" on this team. while i have been surprised by the amazing season he has given us, i am still skeptical and want to see him in this league a couple of more seasons before i journey to say top 5. i know he can get there, but will he get there? he is such a versatile player which sets him apart from pure scorers out there, but i still question his consistent ability to take over games like LBJ,Wade, Durant, Kobe, Melo, CP3 and maybe even westbrook. those guys are hard to defend, and pose a threat each night to any given team. He has definitely stepped up his game, and has shown that he can make those tough clutch shots. Although i think sometimes he is too reliant on the refs, dont get me wrong many players are too but it is not something i would want to rely on. i think harden has a unique skill set that not many players have in this league, IMO he will be a top player in this league for a long time. but being top 5 is pretty hard to accomplish and fluctuates by season.
I'm not saying he was. I meant scoring efficiency, the OP's original premise for ranking Harden #3, isn't the whole picture
wait, how can you make a statement and it becomes the absolutely truth? who are you? and where did you get this kind power?
Scorer? Yes. Player? No. You gotta play defense to be one of the best in the league and his is just above average at best.
Top 3 offensively, his FTs made and attempts is Michael Jordan territory. I pick LBJ #1, higher effiency in FGs and he pretty much can do anything. #2 Durant higher than Harden because higher effiency in FGs. Harden is tough to beat offensively. If OKC knew Harden was like this, they would never traded him.
i sure wish they had parker yesterday. i can't find a big enough rolling eyes smilie for that stupidity. tony parker really?
People have to consider this when you are looking at efficiency and stats like that. Harden had 66% TS last season when he got to play considerable minutes with Durant and Westbrook. That is insane. That's higher than LeBron has ever got. That's higher than Durant's ever got. That's higher than Jordan's ever got.
Kmart isn't a go-to scorer, and he isn't the passer Harden is. Kmart's also a bonafide 2nd banana, he can't handle being the focal point of an offense like Harden can. Anyway all these yokels not giving credit where credit is due is ridiculous. Outside of LBJ which elite offensive player plays elite D? Does KD play elite D? Does CP3 play elite D? Does (old) Kobe play elite D? Harden isn't an elite defender, but he isn't a defensive sieve either. He below average at worst and average most of the time. Honestly defensive ability for guards are pretty much overrated here, there is NO ONE for Harden to guard outside of Wade and Kobe. Most of the NBA sgs are defensive guys with decent offensive ability, think guys like Mayo or Courtney Lee. The real killers are at the pg and SF spot, if you want a defender that should be on those positions (like Parsons). Harden doesn't belong in the top 3 yet (LBJ, KD, CP3), but IMHo he's already top 5.
