Only 1 statement for that one....12-time NBA-All Defense??? C'mon man.... Defense definitely trumps offense...imo
The Rockets can push the pace all they want but at the end of the day the Rockets averaged 82 field goal attempts per game and the Pacers averaged 80. And of those 80 George averaged 2 more shot attempts than Parsons while scoring 2 more points. Sure the system Parsons plays in may be better for him. But teams use different systems so it is what it is. But if you're going to hold the system against Parsons it's only fair to take into account that George is on a veteran team that's been together for longer than a year with a few players that have been starters for more than a year. And those numbers you stated for West are better than the numbers Bosh put up (is he not an all star...?).
Curry? For all his talent, his ankle is made of glass. If you can get somebody near his value (second-tier star), you should go for it.
I like Harden but I like George more. It's because I love defense and defense wins championships. That is true yesterday, and still true today and will still be true tomorrow. If I'm going to draft today, I'll draft George ahead of Harden but still I won't be unhappy if I get Harden instead of George. It's like, "Ok, I'll take George... Oh, you've taken him already, then I'll take Harden. No problemo.".
I set the mark at 20 because most teams that win championships have one or two 20 ppg players. So consistent 20 ppg scorers are hard to find. But you could be right depending on your definition of a stellar defender. But It's plenty of guys who are very good defensive player. Heck, look at the scores in the NBA compared to the past. Look at the scores in the playoffs. A lot more team defense going on and that's what I think is important when it comes to defense and having a shot blocker in the frontcourt. Just my opinion though.
If you can't explain why Parsons #'s are inflated just say so or don't respond. Don't try to use my homerism as an excuse to punk out...
This is funny because I see you running around comparing Jeremy to Steve Nash and John Stockton...Lol. We'll just agree to disagree buddy
Watch both teams play and you'll see that Parsons benefits from open transition 3s and fast break dunks/layups. Pacers play a half court game with set defenses and less opportunity for easy baskets. He is also the top dog to game plan for. He thrived as a number 1/2 option on that team. This isn't even looking into the defensive aspect of the game of which there is really no comparison.
Lol, I'm not holding the system against Parsons. Just pointing out that a run and gun offense is more conducive to padding stats than a half court offense (even a veteran team) for a high motor, slashing type player who can finish well (which category both Parsons and George fall under). And that's all I was pointing out. Interesting point about Bosh. But very misleading since: 9 PFs score more than West 22 PFs have more rebounds per game than West 23 PFs have more blocks per game than West If we're going by your definition then technically you can say around half the PFs in the league are putting up all-star #s. So that makes West's production kinda average.
Does it? Memphis and Indiana were the better defensive teams in the conference finals and odds are that neither will be making it to the finals this year. Balance and superstars are what wins in the NBA.
Memphis' problem was mainly perimeter shooting. Pop took away their big men. If the Pacers had Danny Granger healthy they could at least challenge the Heat and make it a 6-7 game series IMO.
I disagree that consistent 20 PPG are hard to find. Everyone in the NBA is high calibur as far as basketball skills go. I played high school ball and played some pickup with a couple of second rate division 1 players one time and it was amazing how large the gap is from high school to college. Now these guys didn't play for an ACC school either. Take the creme of the crop from all of the top notch basketball programs and every player in the NBA is extremely talented at basketball. Unless you have a super balanced team...not likely in the NBA today, you will always have someone that will be able to fill the box score in the scoring department even if the team doesn't win. Good defenders are harder to find because a lot of players don't focus on improving that end. I read someone above throw Kobe in the list of scorers who don't defend. WTF with that? Not sure Harden will ever be a great defender or even a good defender, but until he does, I will always see him as another Agent Zero Gilbert Arenas. Before the playoffs, I would have said Harden over Paul George easy, but after the first few games vs the Heat, I have to say George has a higher ceiling.
If the DPOY finishing 4th amongst centers in the defensive team voting, Kobe stands as a monument of how ridiculous reputation takes its place. It's not that Kobe can't defend, he's an extremely good man to man defender when he puts in the effort, but his effort has been scarce for a decade, and his team defense mediocre since forever, it defies logic of any description that the lakers have used a defensive wing stopper for god knows how long for the opponents best scorer and yet kobe gets the defensive team nominations.
So it seems like offense does have place in basketball, unlike what the previous poster was insinuating. To me the whole "defense win championships" have no standing after I watched the Rockets flame out year after year to lesser defensive teams with JVG. Give me my 25/5/5 playmaker and I'll let Morey find some cheap, defensive-minded players to surround him with.
After Gm. 4 of the Spurs/Grizzlies, Harden > George for the fact that you can play defense all you want, you need some scoring punch. Agree on defense, but strongly disagree that defense/defense wins because you need a creator, or a scorer, so Harden > George. Grizzlies and Nuggets fell very hard because they didn't have a big-time scorer like we do in Harden. Liking this. Gasol- Defensive Player Of The Year and with Tony Allen, as well as M.Conley. They were ineffective because they don't have a player who can create his own shots, but importantly is that the Spurs are as good defensively. It is still a shock that the Grizz fell harder than hard.
