I hope he is PARTYING! Because if he isn't, then we are worse off. I'm sure some of it is due to the adjustment of D Howard (that's what I'm hoping it is) but you shouldn't be dominated by the likes of PJ Tucker.
I was talking mostly about the offense and how they passed the ball around to take the uncontested shot.
What I'd harden "elite " at? Not shooting. Not passing not dribbling. Not scoring! He is a good flopper though
It wasn't George against harden, SG vs SG Harden 3/14 3reb 2ast 12points Stephenson 7/16 6reb 6ast 16points better defense
Gilbert Arenas stats at 23: PPG: 25.5 APG: 5.1 RPG: 4.7 FTA: 8.0 FT%: 81.4% FG%: 43.1% 3PT%: 36.5% Harden at 23: PPG: 25.4 APG: 5.3 RPG: 4.5 FTA: 9.2 FT%: 86% FG%: 43.6% 3PT%: 34.1% Gil 05-06 / JH 12-13 FGA: 20.9 / 17.4 FG%: .447 / .446 3FG%: .369 / .359 FTA: 10.0 / 10.3 FT%: .820 / .858 RPG: 3.5 / 4.3 APG: 6.1 / 5.3 SPG: 2.0 / 1.8 TPG: 3.6 / 3.5 PPG: 29.3 / 26.3 Ridiculously similar advanced stats: Gil / JH PER: 23.8 / 23.4 TS%: .581 / .600 eFG%: .507 / .503 oRTG: 115 / 116 USG%: 30.0 / 29.0 WS/48: .193 / 2.05
Like I said to all thw whiners in this thread, I was at the pacers game and harden hobbled to the bench every timeout. Lo and behold he's out tonight. Let him get healthy before you start crying about his 24, 6, 5
Harden's scoring, fg%, TS%, and PER are now higher than George's. It's starting to look better for Harden.
George might be the 3rd best player in the entire NBA now. To even have a Rocket in an argument for "whose better" is pretty breathtaking. CP3/George/Harden/Westbrook All have a case to be made about whose the 3rd best player in the league right now, but most people would probably say George because of his ability to impact the game in so many different ways. IMO Harden is the best scorer of the bunch while George/Westbrook have the athleticism to be elite defensive players while also elite on the offensive end. I think the only thing that will differentiate the "whose #3" debate is what happens in the playoffs with CP3/Harden/George. Westbrook is injured now and will probably take a backseat playing alongside Durant although he's right there when healthy IMO.
The grass is always greener on the other side. Both players are elite in the modern NBA. Harden is the more talented offensive player, period. Harden can get his shot whenever he wants it. Early in the season he was injured, and it showed. Give him credit, he is tough, he kept playing when he did not need to. Playing in the Rockets system allows Harden to run and take shots when he wants. Now, Harden does not shoot an unnecessary amount, but he is still helped by the system. George is the more talented defender, and is the better defender. He can play multiple positions defensively, and can use his athleticism and length to really shut down players. Having said that, playing on a team that is so good defensively as a UNIT makes his defense look better than it really is. James is capable of being a good defender, and has been better since the injuries have started to heal. Still, he is inconsistent. I would probably take Harden by a hair, but tomorrow I may prefer George. Both are very good, I just do not know if George can carry a team offensively in the playoffs.
Great points. This is pretty much what I was saying earlier in this thread. It's also not really fair to compare them anyway since they play different positions and George has about 3 or 4 inches on harden. They are both excellent players, and fun to watch.
As a win-now player I do agree, he might be more impactful. However if you are asking a GM to start his team with anyone not named Durant/Lebron for a 5 to 10 year window, I think it goes- -George -Harden -Westbrook -(Maybe Anthony Davis even) and then -CP3 The debate gets muddy when you dont differentiate player value vs. on the court value. If you dont differentiate the two I think CP3 falls slightly.
If you are talking about a 5-10 year window, I agree with you.... Hell Anthony Davis may be above Harden and George...... Andre Drummond is another player that may surprise some people as far as his value around the league.
Paul George is probably coming back down to Earth after his hot start. Last 10 games shooting only 42% from the field for 19 points per game. In January (6 games), that number drops down to 34% shooting for 16.5 points per game.
