If the argument is that Leonard is the only all-star on his team, why doesn't that also apply with the Rockets and Thunder? That argument is a pile of crap anyway. Kawhi might be the only all-star this year, but they have literally FOUR other future HOF-caliber players on their roster. Aldridge despite a down year in production is still a very good scorer and a defense/rebounding force. Ginobili and Parker are still capable of putting up good games when it matters like they just did against the Rockets. Gasol is still putting up good numbers and his game aged well since he's adapted to the 3pt game. Danny Green is one of the best 3&D players in the league and Patty Mills is another sharp shooter. The Spurs lead the league in 3pt% and defensive efficiency. That's not all because of Kawhi Leonard.
Perspective, please. The Rockets who came off a disastrous 2015/16 campaign, lost Dwight, and wasn't expected to be relevant by most people in the media has no business panicking for any reason this year. They've completely overachieved regardless of a recent slump.
The MVP Kawhi had to take a night off because of the sprint to block Harden... Cmon! MVPs dont take nights off!
Except that the other 2 HOF caliber players you mention have not been Allstar caliber for at least 2 years. Parker is still productive, Ginobili is a shadow of his former self but still valuable. Neither of them can score 15 ppg to save their lives this year. They are valuable role players like the Rox have many on their roster.
Sure, if you're content with just doing better than expected, overall. But right now they're where most expected them to be, just above. 500 and Ryno may or may not recover completely this season.
Willing his team to an amazing comeback and victory from the bench!!! There is no doubt, GOAT MVP right there!!!
Not even remotely near to the level of Harden. It's easier to pass from the post than all over the floor. Olajuwon will always be known more for his individual post moves and unique ability to score as a center.
The media won't talk about it but Leonard has already missed 6 games. That should matter. Harden blows him out of the water in terms of raw stats accumulated. Those 6 games should count as games where he had a box score of 0/0/0/0/0 into his averages. I'm sure Pop will continue to rest him more especially if the Warriors clinch the 1 seed.
Considering what happened last season? Yeah, sorry if I'm content with how the team is faring overall. They're basically mirroring the 2015 Astros. Got off to a hot start then played .500 ball the rest of the way. Still made it to the "2nd" round and gave the eventual champs a scare.
You're conveniently not pointing out that the Spurs overall depth is still superior to the Rockets. I mean, look at our options at PF when Ryan Anderson is out. It's not good. Again, they're #1 in defense and 3pt shooting. It takes an entire team to have those achievements.
if harden deserves the MVP than he will win it. If he doesnt deserve it than he will lose it. He has an opportunity to earn it over these last few games still.
This goes under the radar a lot and should be a talking point against MVP candidates like Lebron, Kawhi, and Curry. A true MVP can not afford to sit or else his team has no chance of winning. You can sit the 3 players above and I have confidence that those teams could still win a majority of their games. If you sit Harden or WB, their teams would loose just about every game they don't play in.
In that case, look at it this way....Chris Paul, Steve Nash, and John Stockton were all elite playmakers, right? 0 combined championships. Hakeem Olajuwon (2), Tim Duncan (5), Paul Pierce (1), Kobe Bryant (2), Shaq (3), Dirk (1), Jordan (6), Billups (1), Curry (1). All cornerstones of their offenses, but not even remotely close to being the playmaker that Harden is, right? 22 combined championships. Based on that, wouldn't you agree that being an elite playmaker is overrated?
And you should expect poor depth when you want your PF to be a stretch 4. Due to their scarcity, they're expensive.
Of course they are better. They got an ancient coach who has never coached another team.... literally and figuratively. The Front Office has been virtually the same in what like 15 or 30 years? They just let go of Duncan and got LMA. Their core knows how to play the game, Pop's game.....Synergy is greater than the sum of its parts. The Dubs are the perfectly molded team and by perfect I mean for today's standards. Rockets are one tier at least below but they can also light an arena on fire when they are hot. But it is nearly impossible to achieve what they achieved. Morey tried. For now let's leave it at that.
He missed 10 games in 2016 . And 18 in 2015. Still won DPOY both years. And finished 2nd in MVP last year.
