Oh, so you're saying George doesn't benefit from having a legitimate all star caliber power forward on his team and being on a team that runs set plays...? And it can be argued that David West is the top dog on that team to plan for because they run an inside out game which makes it easier on the perimeter players. All your doing is picking and choosing specific aspects that support your argument but they are not making it right. But if you feel Parsons scored all of his points on easy uncontested layups and shots and never was guarded and Paul George was constantly double teamed in the defense concentrated solely on him _ okay...
I agree completely that offense obviously has a place in basketball, but my point is that it is much harder to find an elite defender than an elite offensive player. I don't know of the last time a team has won the championship without a good defense.
The shooting charts paint a slightly different story. Both George and Parsons seem to shoot a fairly similar number of shots close to the rim. George attempted over 100 more 3 pointers, at a slightly worse %. Now it is fair to note that Parsons was assisted on more of his shots. He was assisted on 73% of his shots, vs. jut 58% for George. I would certainly take George's upside right now, especially as a go-to type player. But don't think it's that far of a difference. One must also consider sometimes players dictate style. George might actually not thrive as much in a Rockets type style. But again, playoffs do slow down, and if you're viewed as a go-to player you have to have the ability to create your own shot... something George does better (though he's a step - or two - below other allstars in that category anyway). Also, I think they are closer defensively than you make it seem. Do I think George is better? yes, but just as pace can impact offense, it can impact defense. I think Parsons is a more than capable defender. Fair comment about the discrepancy between DPOY and all-defensive teams. but if there's one to focus on as being better, then, its the all-defensive teams, which are voted on by coaches, not the media. Which Kobe has been voted onto many many times.
One more point in Harden's favor, Harden is a good post defender against players of all size. As you can see in Paul George, he couldn't stop Lebron who really only had one move in his post game.
Well, not many teams have won a championship without a 20 ppg scorer. 04 Pistons are the only team I can think of off the top of my head. But all defensive teams usually don't win championships. Look at Memphis. That team is loaded with defensive players but they couldn't score and they couldn't stop San Antonio from scoring either... Look at Paul George the other night. Can't expect anyone to shut down LeBron but George was only able to get off 10 shots in a game his team was getting their @** beat in... ONLY 10 SHOTS... Not only was his defense useless but he couldn't score any points to help his team. That's a double whammy. That's why I say George isn't much better than Parsons. Not only is it harder to score in the NBA but it's not easy to get off good shots either. That's why players who can create their on offense are important because half court plays don't always work in the playoffs. Rockets are in a good position. And they have good defenders in Asik, Parsons, and Beverly. A two way power forward would do wonders for the defense and Harden's scoring average and assist would probably go up.
Last 10 NBA Champions and their Offensive Rating Ranking/Defensive Rating Ranking Miami Heat - 8/4 Dallas Mavericks - 8/8 LA Lakers - 11/4 LA Lakers - 3/6 Boston Celtics - 10/1 San Antonio - 5/2 Miami Heat - 7/9 San Antonio - 8/1 Detroit - 18/2 San Antonio - 7/3 From the last 10 NBA Champions the average Offensive Rating Rank is 8.5; the average Defensive Rating Rank is 4. The numbers are close, but yet the trend still shows through, in order to win a championship you need a good defense. Not saying that if you have a good defense you will win a championship, but if you do have a good "D" you're 1 step closer to it. Since 1990, there have only been 2 teams that won the title without ranking in the top 10 in overall defensive rating: The "We don't try until we have to" 2000-2001 LA Lakers (21st) & the "We didn't get on a roll until late" 1995-1996 Houston Rockets (12th)
Tim, understand I'm not saying a team that plays no defense can win a championship. But I am saying more times than not YOU HAVE TO HAVE A DOMINANT OFFENSIVE PLAYER (at least one) to win a championship. On the list you gave all those teams had that but Detroit (but Detroit did have 4 guys on the court who could make jump shots all day long). A good defensive team without a go to scorer more times than not won't win a championship. Like I said _ look at Memphis. The Rockets ranked 16th in defensive efficiency this season and they have a decent point differential and that was with a new team and no real defensive system. They didn't even extend their defense out to the 3 point line and the guards cherry picked for steals for the most part and their rotation (or lack there of) wasn't good either. Their defense will get better with some good coaching and more time on the court together and plus they have a dominant scorer and plenty of cap room _ they're in a good position.
Harden couldn't even stop PJ Tucker from having his best game as a pro in one the Rockets most important games of the regular season. And nobody is stopping LeBron one on one. Let alone James Harden lol
Elite defensive talent at the center position(or pseudo centers like KG)? I agree. Wing players? No so much. Bowen, Artest(fairly good comp for George perhaps), Prince, Battier, etc. all were much, MUCH easier to find than your Melo, AI, Nash of the world. They're paid a hell of a lot less because teams don't think they're tha valuable.
There is a misconception regarding Harden's defense. People think he actually can't play defense and sucks at it. The reality is that Harden can actually play good Defense. When we played Miami he actually guarded Lebron pretty well. The thing is he is either tired or got lazy. I do think being the first option and being the bulk of the offense he just got tired out. Harden can play Defense everyone. It's just the matter of him wanting too in my opinion.
Well, that's even worse. A player that can play defense but doesn't want to. What does that say about the player ... or the coach? I can't image POP letting any of his players not play defense even if they are superstars like Duncan. It's kind of "fundamental" to play defense isn't it?
We don't have Pop dude... We got McHale. And Harden probably wasn't prepared for the fast pace system the Rockets run. He was training to come off the bench in OKC's system last off-season... McHale knew this and is probably why he cut him slack on the defensive end but leaned on him offensively. We'll see if he trains like he's the number one option this off-season and go into next season with better conditioning. All of our players got things to work on. Haven't seen too many young players that didn't though.
Well like others have said we dont have POP we have Mchale. I really think most of the time Harden was just really tired. This was his first season as a number one option starter. He has expressed playing good defense before. If we get a good FA star we will see him improve on both sides of the ball.
Yup I agree, harden was exhausted... he was not conditioned to play 38+ mins let alone being the primary ball handler... it was a miracle that he stayed healthy this season... Next season will be different though, they will be more prepared... I predict they will win 6-8 more games... with or without howard...
I do feel other players got fed up with James' all-glory O lazy D by the end of the season, evidenced by the few rifts such as delfino or ppat comment. I expect coaching staff to address this as well as beard himself. I don't believe the team needs his one man offense except a few plays. He's wasted so much energy on ISOs at the expense of the team offense as well as his effort on D.
You are finding Rocket homers on a Rocket fan board? I can't fathom that this is possibly the case, perhaps you should point some more out for us.
