I didn't watch, but did Harden guard Ariza the entire game or was he on Bradley Beal? Trevor Ariza's career night was basically him hitting a ridiculous amount of 3's btw - was this all on Harden or what? (Again, I didn't see the game, so I'm asking - though I am skeptical as there's a general tendency to blame harden for all defensive woes regardless of how responsible he is or is not...)
I just remember people saying he was on Durant's level, with some saying they'd take him over Durant because of his defense. So damn hilarious.
He was on Ariza for most of the game. And Harden did a pretty good job, honestly, except for a few times his ball watching habit hurt him and left Ariza open. Ariza just got hot. Really hot. Everyone on the Rockets failed to pick him up or made the wrong close out.
Defense isn't an individual aspect of the game. George is naturally a better defender because of height/length. Switch Harden and George and Harden would be lauded as a much better defender on that Pacer team. Give me: LeBron Durant CP3 Harden
That was some fluky ****. Ariza was basically just catching and shooting a 3 off balance. Our Parsons is a legit player and his was all skill, but Ariza was just getting SUPER lucky. Harden is a bad defender but it wasn't really his fault.
Oh wait...didn't I say this the entire year? Pretty sure I did... He's still a great player and superstar player, but dudes was comparing him to Durant and having him 3rd best in the league.
People were crowning that guy way too early. It was a crime to say Harden was better than him around here for a while.
Ariza got hot, got free in transition, but in the half court, he really just shot over him. Ariza is 6'8 with a 7'2 wingspan, there's a lot of length advantage there.
Hehe i remember getting mocked on here for suggesting Griffin was better than Harden. Oh how times have changed.
<br> Paul George is an amazing player. I think the only legit knock on him being true superstar status is he doesn't possess elite tier dribbling abilities like the best SG's in recent memory. He can create, sure. But he can't willfully dominate entire defenses b/c of his silky smooth ball handling compared to elite "guards" (I use the term loosely b/c all are mostly g/f) of his height such as McGrady/LeBron/Durant/Kobe.
Called this coming earlier in the season when everyone was saying PG was the second coming of Jesus. I expect his regression to continue. Wouldn't be surprise if he finishes the year under 20ppg or right around there.
I'm glad people are down on him/questioning him. All the people coming out of the woodshed was annoying. To me he's still the man and in my top 5 for sure. The only guys I'd take ahead of him are LBJ, Durant and maybe Anthony Davis. I could care less about George's tough stretch right now. I've been high on him since he was a rookie. I have no doubts in his game or skills. Legit Baller.
Most of them were against Harden, but the defense wasn't any better when someone else was guarding him. On one play, Parsons and Brooks ran into each other and left Ariza wide open. He just happened to miss that time.
