Hey at least that's a lot fairer than some posters around here who are irrational about him. Good post DD
Despite all his flaws, Harden is still one of the best offensive player in the NBA. He is undeniably a force at scoring efficiently, getting to the rim, drawing fouls & making plays. Unfortunately this season, his poor leadership, terrible defense, lackadaisical rotations and just plain lack of effort are also indisputable. I was a big fan of steven francis despite some of the obvious flaws in his game, because like many other players I admire, he has a huge heart and doesn't leave me feeling cheated when watching him compete. Honestly it was much easier to root for the past Rockets teams despite their lack of success, because I never questioned the effort or heart of players like Chuck Hayes, Lowry, Scola, Yao, Francis or even over the hill Barkley. So while Harden maybe more talented/better than those players and the 2014-15 team was much more successful, aside for Beverley, I don't really care.
Harden is still pretty clearly one of the best offensive players in the league, but he has dropped off from last year, largely in his scoring efficiency. That leaves him short of the MVP level (in a normal year--Curry has changed the standard this year) he was on last season, but he's still an offensive superstar. That's not sufficient to elevate this ill-fitting group to contender status, especially with his lacking defensive effort, but that's more about the rest of the team than it is about Harden. Harden does make a good target due to his often lacking focus and effort, but he's not the reason the team is mediocre.
this has been a long thread. so i went back to check what op believed in harden for. seriously, what do you believe him in about? for me, as long as you dont believe that he can lead this team to a championship, i am fine. maybe...
I will still continue to say that I believe Harden is the next Adian Dantley and this will not go anywhere with Harden. T_Man
I'm really surprised how much Dwight has been able to escape from criticism, while all the blame has been targeted at Harden. Guess who's the highest paid player on the team? Dwight's production is not even remotely justifying his contract and it's certainly not at a star level, especially if you include his absences. The Rockets are under. 500 when he plays and over .500 when he doesn't! Harden isn't the problem here folks. Pair up Harden with a real younger, more productive star like Cousins or Love and this team would be much better. Maybe not championship caliber yet but that requires a complete roster.
so the real mvp cant make do with one of the "most talented roster" in the league? and how could you forget to mention the key point - harden never had a coach? oh poor harden. such a miserable b*stard.
He had 33 points on 18 shots today... The rest of team had 46 points on 59 shots. It's not Harden's scoring efficiency that is problematic.
Cousins and Love are worlds apart now. Love cannot hold a candle to Cousins. Love's offensive production isn't the same either
I don't care how many points he scores. We will never play as a TEAM with his selfish style, and it takes a TEAM, and not an arm flailing fouls drawing, me me me me me one trick pony to win a Championship. Great days, horrific days, passing great, ball hogging, clock management, no clock management. Mr. Watch me, watch me....taking my 419th three........clock ticking down but that ball stays with me.......then I will pass at the last second if I can't get free.
He also took 18 free throws so in actuality he dominated the ball offensively for a good share of Rockets possessions. It's not like he took 18 shots and *poof* put up 33 points.
Ummm, that's pretty much what most are saying. I know I've stated it plenty of times that he is not capable of being a number one option on a championship team.
Sigh... This bbs has gone crazy over efg% and tfg%. Harden can supplement those numbers so he can be perceived to look efficient with plenty of free throws and jacking up plenty of 3 pters but at the ned of the day Harden MISSES many fg attempts. Do posters here actually WATCH basketball? Offensive misses lead to potential easy buckets/fast break points for the opponent. Many of Harden's misses are long threes early in the shot clock which are PRIME variables for a fast break by the opponent. I wish there was a stat out there that shows how many fastbreak or general scoring plays occur right after a missed shot by a player.
He averages 28ppg, he doesn't need to be #2, the team just needs a real second scorer (Dwight is not that player).
