then i don't think being tired can be an excuse, we are playing a stretch of home games and this is not a back to back game, to a 25 year old athlete, he should be able to play the game and compete, lots of other players have played more minutes per game and shouldered more responsibility than harden, see 2003-2014, especially 06-07 lebron stats when he singlehandedly led the Cavs team to the finals and lost to the spurs
whats funny is people think they know what he does personally and attribute it to what he does on court.
I'd +rep you for telling the truth (if I could), the guy is 25, and averaging ~3 qtrs of play per game, no excuses should be made for being "tired", I mean if he's tired from balling at 25 maybe we should trade him in 3 years (lol, I don't think this, but I sure as hell don't buy the tired excuse when he disappears on offense and defense and sometimes stands around), I mean think about it, by 30 he'd probably need to play 2-2.5 qtrs, lol. I don't know about the Vegas comment (or his personal life), but at 25 he should be able to play 40 min a game Np and carry this team, especially if he's the MVP.
Several players before him have been issued similar work loads and several players before him played through it while still playing efficiently(not shooting below 40% for extended period of time) and productively. If him being tired and gassed out is an issue than he needs to do some serious cardio over the summer because with his alleged current conditioning he will never win an MVP. Harsh truths are hard to swallow as I know several posters are about to harp on me and question my allegiance to the Rockets.
Wow, to say that about one of the most durable players who puts in the most time on the court...jeez. No, not that many players have played similar work loads for essentially the whole season without missing a game (aside from the suspension) AND was the focal point of their own team and the main target of the other team's. Role players playing heavier minutes is different from the carry and focus of the team. And even if a few handful of exceptions remain, why would you ever use exceptions to define the rule? ...smh on the whole post
Haha, I guess you're only referring to new nba althetes and not older players from 80/90s, I find it sad that 3qtrs of play is considered extreme. Back in the 89 season I referenced it wasn't an exception to the rule and ~5% of the league was doing 36 or more... I'm guessing it's becoming more true that the 84 draft was the best we'll witness. Sure athletes are stronger now, and the game is different (I'd say less physical with the fouls), but I know all of the guys on that list could still compete today. I picked the 89 season because most players from 84 draft were 25 and in prime: http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1989_per_game.html Obviously Jordan is an exception, but the rest of the players listed there I feel are more than just ****ty role players with high minutes, and while they had slumps everyone does. I just don't recall any players/fans complaining about high minutes being the reason for the slump. I know harden isn't Jordan, but ****ing Barkley played more minutes.
I guess folks would call me "old school" because I certainly do not consider 36 minutes per game as a workload requiring serious rest...especially for a 25 year old. Many, many top NBA players have averaged over 40 minutes per game. No way James deserves MVP if he cries out for rest at a time when his team is fraught with injury and fighting for home court in the playoffs. However, I have not seen a single word, not one, from him indicating he feels he needs rest. In fact, I haven't seen or heard any recognized basketball analyst crying out for rest for Harden...only here. James is a warrior and I suspect he would very negatively react to being benched for rest during this key portion of the season....I wouldn't want him to be any other way.
False. Ive noticed that you can get away with bashing any player on the team but god help you if you speaketh against Morey.
He needs to take a nap if he's tired. Dude is 24 and plays bball. MJ would have NEVER said.."I am tired". Not saying James said this, but c'mon!
All these comparison with Lebron, Kobe & MJ is pointless because Harden is not on their level. All those players showed no mercy on both side of the court for their entire career. That should say something about their legendary status. Harden just barely showed interests in playing defense this year. And yeah, he may win mvp this year or next but that still don't mean he gets to be in that club so there shouldn't be that comparison.
"Never mind that in the course of a grueling season there will be moments when pro athletes have a difficult time mustering up the maximum effort. They always want to win, but that can be much more challenging during a four-game road trip or back-to-back games. Some nights, they just won't have it. Professional athletes do get tired. Their bodies do wear down." -J Hill
How can a 25 yr old not recover when there is a week off for the playoffs and u get at least day or 2 break during the playoffs. In addition, we should have everyone healthy.
Harden's minutes per game: 2012-13: 38.3 (total games missed: 4) 2013-14: 38.0 (total games missed: 9) 2014-15: 36.7 (total games missed so far: 1) He is playing slightly less this season.
Spmewhat off topic, but it's interesting how 5 seasons ago there were 30 players who averaged over 36 MOG. Now there's less than 8. Heck Monta Ellis and Gerald Wallacr averaged over 40 mpg (not sneak dissing Harden)
