You can't compare T-Mac in his prime to Harden, who has not even reach his prime. Hands down, Harden is a better right now and will be a better when he does reach his prime. Harden also has a way better attitude, no ifs ands or butts!
You know it couldn't be a tmac thread without the words Had IF potential KOBE prime you know what words are always missing? MVP Champion Leader
Tracy McGrady is on the Spurs now. He got his wish. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/ian_thomsen/02/27/weekly.countdown/index.html "I haven't been the guy who's been fortunate enough to play with Shaq, to play with Tim Duncan.I always seem to have average teams,'' he said. "You take me back in my Orlando days with Shaq? Come on, there are no questions. You take a healthy me and switch me out with Paul Pierce [on the current Celtics]? There's no question. There's definitely no question.''
I'm glad he remembers his glorious orlando days where he made the 2nd round of the playoffs by beating the Pistons. #inanotherparelleluniverse
His natural bball talents, at least on the offensive end, one could argue, are greater than basically anybody ever. He had incredible size and length and could get by his man with ease, was good in the open court, could catch fire from the outside, was capable in the post, etc... but natural talent isn't close to everything. Not that true shooting percentage is everything, but consider that TMac's best TS% came in undeniably his best year as a pro, 2002-2003, It was 56.4% In Harden's four years, his TS% has been 55%, 60%, 66% and 60%. And of course last year it was 60% as a number 1 option. as great as TMac was as a scorer, he just wasn't efficient. And even for as prolific a scorer as he was, James 24.4 points/36 last year was only topped by TMac 3 times... which is honestly very surprising to me. James 5.5 assists/36 minutes was only topped by TMac twice. Tracy was an undeniably more prolific rebounder. The edge goes to TMac now, but when its all said and done I think Harden will prove to be the player more conducive to winning, while having top of the game production... even if not quite TMac level all around.
what's wrong being a secondary star?..... If Yao was an MVP and Leader type... now that did not last very long
Good analysis, but I don't think TS% is the benchmark for scoring efficiency, at least not the only benchmark.TS% highly relies on FTA/FTM, a player like Harden doesnt necessarily need the volume of shots, but volume of possessions. I would personally go with points per possession to judge whether a player is efficient in terms of scoring.
Yes they are but thats not say Harden can't develop his game to become something more than just a 3 point shooter and driver to the basket.
When T-Mac plays a few games in the NBA Finals and takes home gold for his country, Harden will be listening.
tofwalker, now you are just babbling like a tmac fan seeing tracy getting garbage time with the spurs.
McGrady's game was flashy. I like Harden's game. He just takes it to the hole. Everybody knows what he's going to do, but he does it anyway. It's straight to the point with no frills.
I love Harden but we all saw how limited he was when the refs don't call it his way. He midrange game isn't there and he settles for too many pull up 3s. T-Mac didn't get to the line as much but he scored in a wider variety of ways. His length and height also helped a lot with that. Harden can only improve though and I expect him to add more moves.
yea sure he could make all kinds of crazy fades, but it screwed his set game to the point he couldn't make an open shot. I like Harden sticking to the fundamentals more as of now. Just look at how well its turned out for Duncan...you don't need flashy.
