Unfortunately, in the playoffs, you can't expect to be "on" all the time v. the elite teams with elite defense. Hence, James has struggled shooting the ball in the playoffs in the past couple of years. 39% last year. Your shot won't always be on, it's what you do to impact the game when you don't have your offense going that separates you from the pack. That's the trajectory Paul George is heading towards - being a true superstar with a superstar game. Lebron didn't average 30 points in the playoffs last year. Hell, he only scored 17 points in game 2 of the Finals, but he still was the reason why they won the game. If Harden wants to be a superstar truly on just scoring, he needs to be ultra efficient like Durant (and Durant still has the overall better floor game than he does while being more efficient). But that's not the case. And his overall game doesn't match George's. And George is still "growing." The jumps he has made EVERY year in the league is admirable.
Harden wasn't a slouch on defense in the playoffs. In big games he's not this matador defender. On a random Tuesday night against the bobcats, yeah maybe...but he does more than just score. You know that, he also makes the game easier for everyone else. He's a true combo guard, playing point guard and shooting guard on offense. He's as good on the PNR as any PG and it seems no one even considers this just think he's some scorer only like Kevin Martin. Well the jumps by Paul George looks impressive because he had to take a huge jump. Harden was already top 5 in win shares last season, if Harden takes another jump it'll be into the MVP tier of Durant and Lebron...a much harder jump to take. Harden can still improve as well, defense is something that usually gets better with age and experience...but being able to take over games and win them is not something that is easily acquired.
Now here I disagree - you usually only win a championship if your superstar is on. LeBron also had Wade, Bosh, Allen, Battier... sure, that team is deep, your biggest star doesn`t need to do the heavy lifitng because you still got 2 other stars and 2 perfect role players. But else - when MJ is not on, the Bulls don`t win the championship, if Kobe isn`t on, the Lakers don`t win, if Parker is not on, the Spurs don`t win. You don`t need your superstar to do all the little things - guys like Battier or Parsons can do that. You need the superstar to win you the game with his scoring. Oh, and to come back to LeBron - with the game on the line he will have the ball in his hands and try to make something happen. George is not that player yet and I doubt he ever will be. Like I said, he is a perfect Pippen, a do it all player that hits his open shots and attack the basekt. A true star, but not the player you need with the game on the line. Put him next to CP3, LeBron, Kobe, Harden and you have a championship team. Have him as your biggest star and you need a Detroit like defense and depth to have a shot.
You do know if the season ended today Paul George would be MVP? PG is only going to get better on offense. Scary huh?
Look, we are arguing over 2 of the best players in the league so it's really nitpicking here. I'm simply choosing George b/c he's simply the 2ND best 2-way player in this league after Lebron James. James is a phenomenal player who has an elite offensive game, and a good all-around game with spotty defense. But George is simply stepping into that league of players who takes on the offensively load while stays on the best offensive player on the other end on most possession. And he does it at an elite level. And that circle of player is less than a handful: Lebron, Westbrook, and I have trouble thinking of others. Umm.. Lebron would be MVP if the season ended today.
What?!?! He was their biggest star last year,and they took the defending champs to a game 7. THey already have a shot, and this year is proving it's no fluke. At this point, neither Harden/George can be looked at as the alpha dog on a championship team. But I'd say it's easier to build around George. Look at the talent around him....no else even averages over 13 a game.
A team that plays slow, scores less. The discrepancy in points scored between Paul George and the 2nd highest scoring player is the same as the discrepancy between Harden and the 2nd highest scoring player of the Rockets last season.
Well, not this year. It's 11 points b/t George and the next highest scoring Pacer. And we all know the Rockets don't have trouble scoring most nights without Harden.
It was Hibbert who led the team in scoring when they took Miami to 7. He abused Bosh in the paint. George only put up 19 points.
except that's just not true. Forgot the clippers game? Lakers at home? Steve Blake was getting layups left and right.
They match up great against the Heat, mostly because of Hibbert. And I didn`t say he has no shot - I said it would take a Detroit like defense and great depht - both of which they have. Sure, they have a shot. All I am saying is, when the Pacers are down 10 with 6 minutes to go, you can`t rely on George to get you back in the game. He is not elite at creating offense, either for him or others - and especially in the playoffs, that`s what gets you in trouble.
For Harden Defense is a lack of effort. In the playoffs he ups the intensity. And don`t forget that Harden is slowed down by injuries the whole year. In the playoffs expect him to be average on defense (as he has been in the past), sometimes maybe even very good.
Look at the stats....the Rockets have taken1,395 shots in 18 games. Pacers have taken 1,358 shots in 17 games. Do the math, Pacers even with their "slow play" take 79.88 shots a game...rockets take 77.5 when you play defense and stop the other team from scoring, you dont have to score as much.
Oh yeah and Paul George is currently playing on the best team in the NBA If you really look at Indiana, do they really have a talented team? PG makes that team elite.
You are really hanging from his groin man. Harden is a elite offensive player, a tier above Paul George. A tier that only a few players even have access too. Assuming that PG can reach that tier is making a BIG assumption. It's like assuming that player X can 'Develop a Post-game.' it's not something that is just a given for anyone. Also, season does not end today so that is irrelevant.
you can have your opinion, but you can't just make stuff up. Game 6...George led the team with 28 points. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/miami-heat-indiana-pacers-2013060111/
