Does Harden have a chance of becoming GOAT Rocket?

While unlikely, I think it is a fair question.

If we manage to nab Dwight and win say 3 titles over the next ten years with Harden as the man, it becomes debatable. It would probably have to include a win over a powerhouse like the Heat to compare with the Rockets beating the 86 Lakers and an MVP or two.

 

This thread is pretty ill-timed. Nevertheless, yea I'd give him a shot.

 

Hakeem is too legendary. At best, maybe Harden can be mentioned in the same sentence as him as second best.

 

I wish he did but no.

If you haven't seen Dream play you should go back and watch some old video. Dream could completely dominate the game on both ends of the floor. I think Jordan was the best player of all time over a career but I think Dream was the best player of all time over a few seasons, he was unbelievable.

 

that would actually require him to guard his man and play defense which is sadly something that james harden does not do.

 

Dream took us in the finals in his sophomore year - need I say more?

 

People forget how good Dream was - this is evident by "Duncan vs Olajuwon" threads. If Dream was still playing today, no one would even consider Duncan. But, he is 'out of sight, out of mind' I suppose.

Imagine someone so good on defense..but yet good on offense as well.

When we think of dominant shot blockers.. Ibaka, Mutombo, Bole.. their offense wasn't so great. But Hakeem was a dominant shot blocker, yet one of the best offensive players ever as well.. imagine that combination!

Olajuwon almost averaged 2 steals per game for his career.. AS A CENTER! This is how dominant on defense he was.

He averaged 27 ppg almost three times! (One year was 26.9)

One year in the playoffs, the first ever playoff series against the Mavericks, he averaged 36 points and 16 rebounds.. the man was a monster


Only player to ever win DPOY, MVP and Finals MVP in one year!

 

dream is great at everything. that pretty much sums up the discussion. can harden be great at everything? answer is no. don't need to look all stats. just one area, defense will separate them.

 

No just no, he would have to excel in almost all areas of the game like Dream in order to even be mentioned in the same breath. It's also unfair to Harden since he simply cannot be that guy, he does not have the tools nor the natural ability.

 

I love Hakeem as well, but Duncan also blocks shots and has really good offensive ability too. Not understanding your point here.

 

i personally believe dream is better than duncan. dream and duncan are same at all fundamental bball skill sets but dream has more creative moves on both ends.

 

i also think dream has more offense weapons than duncan.

 

As a hypothetical:

If Harden were to enter the discussion he would have to win multiple rings as the undeniable alpha dog of the team.

In doing this he would be defeating both Durant and Lebron lead teams. Not to mention whatever witchcraft the Spurs are able to muster. No small feat...


From there you can start creating a basis for argument.

 

For Harden to be considered a Rockets GOAT? Easy, MVP/DPOY/FINALS MVP.

I'd like some double clutch as well.

That'll do it for me.

 

I would love that because it would mean we would have one of the best players in history, but I doubt it. The Dream was just that good

 

He lacks Hakeem's physical gifts, so I'm doubtful, but there is always a chance. I think it's more likely that he could wind up in a "Big Three" situation, something Hakeem never really got, and win more rings as a result. But that still wouldn't make him the better overall player.

That said, there's always a chance.

 

By the way, this whole Duncan vs Olajuwon thing... you guys realize they played in the league at the same time for 5 years, and at that time everyone knew Hakeem was the much better player?

 

It's evident in that thread there are some fake ass Rockets fans and fans who NEVER saw Dream play and refuse to believe the witnesses .

 

I don't see it happening. Harden is great but he ain't no Dream.

 

For the youngsters who lack proper perspective, you should calibrate your comparison with the following question: Does Harden have a chance of having a better career than Kevin Durant?

Answer that question first, because the far more interesting question is whether Durant will ever be considered as good as the Dream, and it's by no means a sure thing, as shown by this year's playoffs.

Until Harden can be compared with Durant, you can't even begin to compare him with the Dream.