It's actually an interesting comparison to me, because Butler has also had some abysmal playoff games.
Yet EVERY superstar has bad games, which is why having multiple superstars have become so important. Plus Jimly Buckets has had more bad games than Harden has had.
Harden will not get passed Boston. It's going to be like the rockets of the east, where they can't get passed 2nd seed. Embid w/ Hardenis not better than Celtics superstar duo, and not better than Giannis team. Even with Dwight Harden who is dominant big, could not win with Harden. Now old man harden going to push Embiid thru? Maxey better turn into to Paul Pierce lol. Harden has had his moments but never in playoff games, harden is not jimmy. Jimmy has what it takes to win in big when it matters. That's why Harden is not a top 10 superstar.
Embiid is far better than Dwight ever was. Better, more skilled scorer, better passer, nearly as good of a rim protector/rebounder. He's going to go down as one of the great NBA big men. I can definitely see him carrying the 6ers in a series against Boston. It will be up to him though, I don't think Harden has the explosiveness to be the guy anymore. Harden's job will just be to make the right passes and hit some threes. A lot less pressure than when he was here.
Jimmy Butler has no expectations so when he averages 15 ppg on 30% shooting like he did in the 2021 playoffs, no one cares and it’s quickly forgotten…but whenever he happens to play well, he’s lauded and highlighted as the best thing ever same with Dame who has often sucked in the postseason we have idiots on here saying Harden has never had moments in playoff games…
That game tonight is a game that only Jordan’s 63 versus Boston was better for any wing player. So officially no.
Well it looks Harden and not Jimmy Butler will be signing here next year, sorry but you are gonna have to deal with it and stop bumping these dumbass threads.
I would take Harden because he's an upgrade over the current roster. However, Jimmy Butler is better than James Harden and it's not a debate any longer.
Lmao its big talk for a dude who's know injured and now out of his prime. While the dude who played the Bucks without Giannis 3 games in a row is better. You lack context and always have.
Harden got the rockets to West finals, everyone knows harden was big time player, during his prime. He was like AI, but just couldn't get Houston to the finals. Houston could not get passed the splash brothers and warriors. But what we know is that Paul was the X factor that would of got Houston thru. In some biggest moments Harden had times where he could not lead the team as #1 option. He looked lost, and the other team contained him. Jimmy butler some how had lead his team with moments when they needed him deep in the playoffs. Harden could of used jimmy. Jimmy thou had help. Harden in important games just seemed lost. It was Warriors , spurs, Lakers , thunder or blazers that contained Harden keeping him from dominating the series. Harden seemed lost in some games. Harden really never had the help but nobody was going to get thew warriors anyways. They were built better than Bulls and ran by Kerr who has Phil Jackson books probably. Spur and Lakers had great defensive teams. Harden thou top 50 player all time no doubt. He was amazing shooter like AI.
Better overall? Regular season or Playoffs or both? In the playoffs, Harden averages more points per game and assists and .6 less rebounds. Harden has a winning % in the playoffs and Butler has a losing %. Another way to look at it is Harden has scored the 21st most points all time in the playoffs and 16th most assists while playing in the 41st most games. On the site basketball reference, Harden compares to Magic Johnson & Kobe Bryant. While Butler compares to Horace Grant and Larry Nance. Harden has his faults I am well aware of at least most of them. I do know he ran into Warriors team that won 73 games then that next offseason added Durant. It is what it is.
I think they are two different types of players. Harden is more of a engine hub that gives you a high floor. Butler raises your ceiling by pushing you over the edge. But it's a player like Harden that gets you to the edge.
None of that stuff, Butler cannot carry a team like Harden could in his younger years during a regular season that is true but he could carry one team through a playoff series.
Butler and Harden have eerily similar overall per game and advanced numbers in the playoffs. For those that understand math and averages that means for every game that Butler has that are like last night he has to have a few that are awful in comparison. Conversely Harden for every 2-13 stinker he has had it’s a mathematical fact that he has to have had a few games that are awesome in comparison. It’s really the only way for these two players averages to come out so similar.
I don't have time to look at those two players' game by game numbers. But it is possible for this scenario: Player A Mostly fairly good games; some really bad game; very few really great games Player B Mostly somewhat average games; some really great games; very few really bad games They could end up with very similar overall averages. So Player A actually has better "normal games" than Player B. If you took away the really bad games of Player A and the really great games of Player B, Player A would have a better overall career. But in reality Player A is remembered as a choker and Player B is remembered as a clutch hero. I believe Harden is probably like Player A and Butler is like Player B.
