Was looking for this.. lol Think the OP said >15ppg Stockton's 14.7 barely missed John was however significantly higher in TS% like you mentioned. #3 in the entire league. '88 also marks the start of Stockton's 9 year streak of assist leader.
I actually think James doesn't get enough credit fe his athleticism. If he was slimmer he'd look more athletic. He just doesn't have an athletic body. You can't see some of his dunks, crosses, stepbacks, and say this guys not athletic. He's not lebron but he's definitely a great athlete.
James Harden is an elite basketball player and not even in his prime yet. He's Just going on his fifth year and the league and second season starting. All Star each of his two years as a starter. 24 years old going on his fifth year in the NBA and has been to Western Conference and NBA Finals with a total of four year playoff experience. I'd say this is just the beginning of his greatness.
As Stephen A Smith recently said, James Harden is a "bad man"... I have always mentioned that Harden greatest attribute is that he is a terrific set shooter and the rockets dont exploit that more often. He can still be highly effective cause his jumper is just effortless. His triple threat position resembles the greats in this game. Harden has the size, strength and shooting prowess to be really good for a long time. This is what has us excited...
I agree, and we've seen McHale use him that way more frequently, in my opinion. Don't have any numbers, but it's what I've been seeing more of the last several games.
I know. I noted that in my post. >15ppg is an arbitrary and incorrect criteria set by the OP, not the NBA. Jordan did not lead the league in TS% for guards. Stockton did. You can't make up random qualifiers like >15ppg. The official NBA criteria is now (and was at the time) 500+ TSA. Doesn't that make you happy that Harden might be the first to accomplish this feat, not Jordan?
Harden blows Jordan out of the water on a points per shot basis too. 1.51 this year and 1.52 last. Jordan peaked at 1.47. Harden also kilIs Jordan at drawing free throws. Averaged 0.59 free throws per shot last year and 0.52 this year. Highest Jordan ever got was 0.46 in his rookie year when he lived in the paint. Man was Jordan afraid of contact or what?
Sarcasm. The point being Harden gets his efficiency from three throws. And he gets calla at a rate that even the rookie mike Jordan couldn't match. You probably smacked your head too hard.
Jordan Schmordan. He was great, but Harden is a much better 3 pt shooter, earlier in his career and is only going to get better. Plus, Harden is doing ALL of this without the zen master. Ok, Merry Christmas.
Harden is one of the top 5 scorers in the NBA for sure. He is in the company of Durant, LeBron, and Melo. Combine that with strong assist and rebound totals for a shooting guard and you have a fantastic overall package on offense. His D is improving as well.
Jordan's 1987-88 season is legendary. Perhaps one of if not the greatest by a player ever. Scoring title, led the league in steals, DPoY, MVP, it was nuts. First team all nba. First team all defense. Not just a scoring title. 35ppg.
