You must think ball handling is just about dribbling. Its about knowing what to do with the rock when you get it. Whether you score for yourself or setup others, and generally be a threat. And1 and these anklebreaking vids has disillusioned everyone into thinking that is what the game is about. Not everyone can dribble like kyrie or james.
I’m not talking fancy Jason Williams or marbury type dribbler. If you’re constantly bouncing the ball off your leg or foot that’s a problem.
Harden is done once he leaves here. Sounds crazy to most of you now but the pressure he will take on elsewhere will be much more difficult than here. He will put up numbers but what I mean by "done" is his reputation around the league. That reputation will get less and less respect as the years go by all because of how he left Houston. I know you some of you guys are worried about Houston being trash or mediocre without him but once he's gone a lot of people will see the hidden values with his departure. Elsewhere Harden will have to adjust his game, give effort in areas of his game consistently where he hasn't since he was in OKC and begin to get comfortable being in uncomfortable situations sucking it up and succeeding. When he fails at all this that's when the "how he left Houston" story will linger and be the monkey on his back he just won't ever be able to get off his back. That will be a stain on his legacy as great as he is.
So why is everybody still slurping Leonard after how he left the Spurs? Or Butler with how he the Bulls and Minny? Or Lebron with how he left the Cavs twice and Miami? Do I need to continue?
The details in all these situations are totally different. What's even more sad is when these guys you mention left other teams would offer more for them then they would offer for Harden right now and the league knew all these guys wanted out too. You know why that really is?
How the hell are they different. Leonard flat out took a year off and his teammates where not happy. What the hell was offered for Leonard that's better? What did Chicago or Minny get that's better? You don't even know what is actually being offered or will be offered. Now what's sad is, you thinking you know what teams will offer once the season starts.
LeBron and CP3 said it during the bubble in the playoffs, "everyone isn't built for these moments." Harden is simply not a winning basketball player. Great individual offensive talent. Morey was willing to give up 4 first round picks for Jimmy Butler lol. Harden... yeah the narrative changes when anyone wins but he will have let his contract run out while waiting till LeBron gets too old and then join the best team in the league and then be the 3rd option on that squad to do it.
Last year. EG has 2 turnovers per 100 compared to Hardens 5.7. EG has 22% usage compared to Hardens 36%. per usage per 100 possession EG turns the ball over less. no I don’t think he’s a better ballhandler than Harden or should be a primary ballhandler but let’s not conversely pretend like he’s incapable of dribbling.
1. Leonard is different because he already earned a ring. Went head to head with Lebron in the finals and won. Been there and done that... it wasn't about ring chasing to him and it still isn't now. 2. Morey offered 4 first round picks for Jimmy. 3. I'm sure teams not offering much for Harden from here on in the future it obviously gets worse. If I'm other teams is this guy even going to be committed to me longterm? Do I even want this personality? Harden's contract will end in 2 years because that players option is his choice so everyone knows in 2 years he's going to team up with who he wants to. Now that team what can they really offer Houston? I bet straight bs.
I agree with some of the stuff you said. It will definately be interesting to watch him at another team and how that will play out
