From the 5-on-5 roundtable: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-121101/nba-early-season-highlights-lowlights [rquoter] 3. On a 1-to-100 scale, how excited should Rockets fans be? Arnovitz: 70. The Harden acquisition marks the official end of the Yao-T-Mac era. On Saturday, the franchise laid down a sturdy cornerstone with Harden. They now have a dynamic point guard, an active and defensive center, some young upsiders and additional money to spend. Don't expect confetti to fall overnight in Houston, but the blueprint is a nice-looking sketch. Chau: 80. For the first time in what has seemed like a long time, the Rockets have a direction. The team finally has focal points in Jeremy Lin and Harden, and surrounding them is a young and eager supporting cast ready to learn. Win or lose, this team will be loads of fun. That should placate fans until more possibilities arise next summer. Dubin: 100. Harden showed every tool he has in his box in his first game as a Rocket, and there's more where that came from. His presence will help alleviate pressure from and aid the development of Lin, another big part of Houston's future. When Kevin McHale figures out which of his stable of forwards makes the best pick-and-roll partner for his two creative guards, look out. Ford: 75. GM Daryl Morey has been trying to package his assets and turn them into a star for years. After two frustrating seasons, Morey finally hit pay dirt. Harden is not Dwight Howard or Chris Paul, but he is the best player Houston has had since Yao Ming, is locked into a five-year deal and is just 23 years old. With Harden, Lin, Omer Asik and other bright young assets like Chandler Parsons, Terrence Jones, Donatas Motiejunas and Royce White, the Rockets finally have some building blocks. I don't think we'll see Harden dropping 37 points and 12 assists every night, but there's no question that Rockets fans finally have a player to be truly excited about. Vafa: 90. It's safe to say that it's fun to cheer for the Rockets again. After years of waiting to see how Daryl Morey's plans would hatch, they have been rewarded with an entertaining trio of Harden, Lin and Asik. That probably wasn't the title-winning Plan A that Morey had in mind, but it's an absurdly fun-to-watch Plan B.[/rquoter]
Call me crazy but I think James Harden is now the best sg in the league watching Kobe he looks like he lost a step dude has not lift in his jumpshot,and he sucks on defense.Wade is also lost a step due to his injuries. So yeah im happy as a Rocket fan,we have the BEST sg in the NBA.
Not to throw water on Harden here, but the difference in Kobe & Wade is that they have been doing this for years and years & have championships won on the backs of these two guys. We are talking about two hall of fame players in Kobe and Wade & 7 NBA titles split between the two. Not something to take lightly. That being said, if you are a rebuilding team, which of the three would you rather have at this in their careers given you do not have another superstar to pair them up with???... The Harden aquisition looks pretty good to that team. But saying that he is the best SG in the league now.... come on man. GTFO
Just to be in the conversation for best SG in the league is an accomplishment, but consistency is the key to being a superstar and that is something that can only be demonstrated over time. Odds look very good at this point, but one great game doesn't prove he is a superstar, and one bad game won't prove that he isn't or won't be in the future.
I especially agree with: We've finally picked a direction. We're fun to watch again. We have our best player since Yao. It will aid in the development of Lin and some others.
The Heat's bench is horrible, much like the Rockets. However the Rockets bench has a lot of youth, athleticism, and upside. I really think D-Nuts is the perfect P&R forward for this offense has he has 3 point range on his jumper. I think his game really patterns after Aldridge. I also like Jones better than Patterson, and especially Morris. My bench would be Delfino, D-Nuts, White, Douglas. My starting 5 would be Line-Harden-Parsons-Jones-Asik
dude he didn't say he was better than them career wise. He simply said they are injured and slow now. Getting old, so he can say that James Harden is "currently" the best sg in the league.. Whats your problem.
Wade is only 30. He did just score 29 points. Kobe has actually started this season very well offensively.
I disagree with Ford about one thing: I'd rather have Harden than Chris Paul, solely because of Paul's knee concerns. He's underrating health as a factor. I'd rather have Howard than Harden--simply because elite, true C's are rarer commodities than quality wings--but Howard's health is also a concern. Back surgery is serious business and portends poorly for future health.
