I blame his inefficiency on the fact that he's broken right now from his body being unable to handle the load. However, those bad decisions at the end were inexcusable and not due to that. He's got to be smarter
I think people are missing the point of this thread. Harden's reputation coming in to this series was that he is an MVP candidate and possibly the third best player in the league behind Lebron and Durant--that's what the national media is saying. I think what this post is suggesting is that top five players in the league are not only suppose to fill the stat sheets but also to get their teams the victory. Kobe does it. Lebron does it. DWade goes animal in fourth quarters and makes miracle comebacks. KD does it. The question is not...is Harden good, or is he great, but down the stretch can he inspire and carry his team the way Kobe and KD and those guys do? And the answer so far this series has been... NO. Kobe would NEVER miss a bunch of free throws and turn the ball over 2 out of the final 4 possessions of the game.
Superstars like Kobe and Lebron and Michael Jordan play hurt and sick and they still score 40 points and lead their teams to victory. Harden is a great player and teammate. But this series proves that he is NOT a top 5 player in the league.
Guess what else the national media who supposedly ranks Harden top 3 was telling us. Thunder in 4 or 5. I think your expectations are a little unrealistic.
for some reason Harden seems like he's 30....he looks tired from the beginning of the game... is he really that banged up???
How much you hate Harden also seems a bit unrealistic. Almost every single post I've seen you make has been saying something negative about Harden.
The series that he's had 36 and 30 in two of the three games? ****ing please. The turnover at the end was a rushed 2 for 1. He was trying to make a play before 30 seconds, the guy at the top didn't move with him and it just didn't happen. The 2-for-1 dynamic makes lots of great players try risky things. Hell, on the other end, Durant took an off-balance, rushed 3 with a hand in his face. The only difference is he's a lucky ass piece of **** who somehow managed to have a 3 he missed long roll all the way around the rim and in. James is going to be just fine.
This was his first playoffs as the man. He is still young, still learning. I am happy with him. Needs to commit more on defense though. KD was just blowing right past him at will.
See which doesnt make sense because compare the talent level of Kobes championship team to the Rockets now. Also LBJ was considering the epitome of anti clutch before he came to miami where we had dwade and bosh. Nt to mention Harden is doing so much more with less in the sense he doesnt have the athletecism of lbj or kd but but still is fonsidered a top nba player. The guy is also only 23!!!! If Harden developed a deadly mid range jumper and put his heart on defense he would be unbelievable. This loss hurts but the future is bright.
Harden is the number one option on this team, obviously. People say that Harden is great, and that he will be just fine. This is true. Harden is an awesome player in fact. However if Harden plays like he has been playing this series he will never be "the guy" who will lead this team to a championship. For a team to win a championship you need that team's top player to be not only a superstar, but to be able to basically the impossible when it counts. Look at Kobe, MJ, Tim Duncan, Dwade, guys like that...when it matters they all of a sudden become Superman and will their teams to victory. Doesn't matter if they are injured, or sick. They literally become possessed come playoff time, up their game, and help their team defy the odds. You recall in the Finals last year when Harden choked against the Thunder...? Harden right now in this series is shooting below his season average in shooting percentage from the field, from three, and at the line. Also in this series his assists are down. There is lots of talk on Clutchfans about fashioning a team which long term can win a championship, and molding that team around James Harden. The question is not...is Harden great, but, can do he the things that for example KD did tonight--when it counts. Will Harden play better under pressure? Star players who make excuses are star players who may be great but who can not be relied on to ever lead their team to a championship.
lol so called fans get bent out of shape after a loss and feel the need to vent making a thread? go find friends and talk to them about it. don't make a thread.
You recall in the WCF last year when Harden was the best player on the floor and elevated the Thunder past a Spurs team that most had already crowned as NBA champions? Can he have a ****ing bull**** 3 roll off the back iron, around the rim and in? You'll have to ask the sports gods on that one. Otherwise, KD was 3-12 in the second half, I believe. KD usually has Westbrook, and even today, had a presence inside in Ibaka. The turnaround to put OKC up 95-94 was the second biggest play of this game, besides the bull**** 3. Harden basically had 2.5 shooters and a big man that can make an open dunk. Kobe had Gasol. MJ had Pippen. Wade had Shaq. LeBron had Wade. Don't compare Harden to those guys when he's rolling with Garcia, Delfino, Beverley and Asik. Please.
