to lead all guards in both PPG and True Shooting % (>1000 mins, >15 ppg) both the only players to do it in the 3-pt shooting era came close in 2012-13 but was 2nd in PPG for guards also currently leads all SG in assists per game hope he can keep it up
Dude's only going to turn 25 this year. He should develop into MJ much the way Kobe strives to. He's that good. Work on his defense and use it to gain leverage on the offensive end and he will be set to follow the path of MJ.
As a person who grew up with Magic Bird and who fell completely in love with the game watching Jordan, I feel a little uneasy with this comparison. I certainly feel Harden is a long long long way from even entering the conversation.
Harden's offense is all that. One of the Cavaliers broadcasters said Harden was 2nd best offensive player in the league behind Durant. James is great. His last challenge is playoffs as the #1 option when he might not get as many calls. I think he'll be okay. Especially with Dwight taking pressure off of him.
James Harden's overall season last year and this are underrated. I ran his numbers through bballreference to see what other guys names came up. I put 25.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.8 steals in the database. 7 total names came up in NBA history. James Harden Lebron James Dwyane Wade Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Larry Bird Rick Barry Even with his averages slightly down this year with Dwight. I put his numbers for this year in. The only additional names that popped up where Tracy McGrady and Clyde Drexler. We need to appreciate what this guy is doing on the court. It doesn't happen very often. The funny thing is, most of those guys had transcendent talent and Harden is just slightly above average athletically by NBA standards, but he still gets it done. I look at the guys he is matched up against each night and lots of them seem to be better athletes and he still destroys them. Strength, footwork, craftiness, and bball IQ. Larry Bird had to get it done a different way like Harden too. I never saw Rick Barry play, but I assume he wasn't the athlete that Lebron, Wade, Bryant, Jordan, T-Mac and Drexler were either. Anyways, James Harden is good at basketball.
James Harden is the ONLY guard in NBA history to average at least 24.8 ppg while shooting at least .616 TS% Those are his stats this year so far. No guard has scored that many points that efficiently.
What exactly is a myth? Be sure because his '13 playoff numbers fell off noticeably from the reg season.
He shot more free throws per game in the playoffs than in the regular season. So how exactly is he not getting as many calls? The same case applies to Durant and to Lebron.
Exactly... He got more calls, yet was still a worse offensive player. His efficiency was down across the board, FTs included. So, what gonna happen if he doesn't get calls? Again, I think he'll be okay.... he's very young and already very good. Stay tuned
I just pulled these up as well; people forget he was injured pre-All Star break. The dude is just on fire.
10 yrs down the line ppl will appreciate hardens game and understand they just witnessed one of the greatest players to ever play the game. I don't even think Morey would have told you he new he was going to be this good. This guy is an absolute stud and is already IMO and I'm sure many others the 3rd best player in the game. Nobody bit KD and Lebron are doing what harden is doing on a nightly basis. We found are next Hakeem the dream but he's the sg version with a beard and a step back j instead of a dream shake lol. This guys a stud and a future MVP no doubt in my mind. He has a shot to build a real legacy in Houston with Morey as his gm. Having the proper management is huge in a players ability to get championships. Hardens got a better chance at winning multiple championships over the next 10 yrs than any player named Lebron and KD. I can live with that because as long as harden is here and morey is the gm he will always be surrounded by elite talent (Dwight) (Carmelo?) and when he gets his next contract the next ring chasing superstar will be drooling to get to houston to follow the beards lead. Good times rockets fans good times.
His jab step, pull back jumper is unarguable. The bests always have a go to move and I think that's Harden's.
