...one game. I'm talking about average throughout the series. Hibbert averaged 22 ppg George averaged 19 ppg
You mean those games he was playing with TWO bad feet? You forget he had a sore ankle and also sprained another. Either way, he's just inconsistent on defense. Improving defense is easier than improving offense, that much is true. Lots of superstar players come into the league having to improve defense and Harden has showed that he can play really good defense at times at least. Personally I'd have much more faith in him becoming a consistently average defender than Paul George becoming a elite offensive player.
It's Indiana's defense that makes them elite, and Hibbert and Stephenson are more important elements to that right now.
And it was 10 points between Harden and the next highest scoring Rocket last year. Harden is also taking two less shots this season than the last. Rockets don't have trouble scoring without Harden because this team has capable scorers that are not normally fully utilized. Same could be said for the Pacers, who have players that are not fully utilized. West only takes 10 shots per game and plays less than 30 minutes. Against the Clippers he was given more shots and more minutes, and ended up scoring 24 points.
Indiana's roster is more talented than ours though. They have a better player at every position other than Shooting Guard.
Who da fu** u calling a fool... Stop it D12 fan don't reply to this Guy J Sizzle, he is clearly baiting you. Ok.*puts on hater shades*
We're better at C and SG, they're better at PF and SF, we're probably better at PG, at least fit wise.
WHo's really that talented? They have a bunch of good players but only 1 stud. David West used to average 20 when CP3 got him easy shots. He's solid, but nowhere near elite. Roy Hibbert? Certainly solid, but a big man who shoots under 45% from the field? Career 7 rebound a game guy at the moment? George Hill would be a middle of the pack PG, Lance Stephenson is always a hot mess. Every other title contender, OKC, Houston, Clippers, Spurs, Miami, we still have to see with Portland, but they clearly have more talent.
what does a play like this have to do with bad feet? ANd it happens all the time whether he has good feet or not. http://deadspin.com/james-harden-really-didnt-feel-like-playing-defense-ag-1460950195 Take off the beer goggles, if Harden goes 7-21 he's pretty much ineffective, George can go 7-21 and still win you the game.
They don't even have another allstar on their team besides Hibbert, and that's not saying much considering the weak centers in today's NBA. Who on that team will be a future allstar?
Hibbert is a tier below Howard and Marc (he's a poor rebounder, but running an offense out of the center position takes serious talent) with people like Noah and (healthy) Chandler
Indiana is more than talented enough to win the Finals with Paul George as their star. Hibbert is a defensive monster. D West is still ballin. Stephenson is inconsistent but definitely a good contributer for them. George Hill ain't great but you could do worse at point guard. Their bench is totally deep and full of threats. They're a great team from top to bottom.
He's not that far off. I watched him do plenty against the Knicks last playoffs. If you want to rely on 1 guy to bring you back down 10 with 6 minutes to go fine, you go with Harden. If want to rely on a team you go with the one led by George. SUre Harden can go on a scoring binge....but you're more likely to get scored on at the other end to negate that, are you not?
Wait, you were the one that was getting on Harden during the 2nd clippers game when he wasn't even guarding Redick. Also, that's just flat out not true. Harden can go 7-21 and still score 20 points and affect the game. It's a complete myth and BS to assume that Harden only affects the game by scoring like he's Martin and anyone that says so just don't watch him play enough. Paul George and his defense sure shot down Lebron right? It also is a myth that Paul George's defense is soooo good that he can man up on Durant and Lebron and basically just stop anyone.
The only important series, Miami. Our team, from last year would have made the conference finals if we played who Indiana played in the first 2 rounds.
A tier below...??? I don't know about that... Howard really has no post game and defensively _ Hibbert is a beast... He has other teams afraid to go in the paint. That tier you speak of isn't that far apart.