I'm not sure they even understand how this works. Hint for them, there is a reason teams always invest in a guy who just plays perimeter defense.
Harden goes through lapse where he remembers to play defense, that is what actually makes people mad because we see the potential if he can play D consistently how good of a player he is. He gets steals from taking risks. He pokes from behind after his man blows by him. His blocks are good, that is when he plays good defense. JJ Redick? Do you know why he wasn't guarding him, because Redick was hitting everything when Harden WAS guarding him, that is why they switch him and Parsons.
It was a mistake to put Harden on Redick in the first place. You don't want your best player chasing a guy like Redick through screens and all over the court, that's just a silly idea and you don't see better coaches ask their perimeter superstars to do that. It was nice to see Mchale make the change, Harden played Crawford and Dudley a lot tougher, and guarded Collison as well. Crawford hit some insane shots though late in the game, like pulling up from beyond the 3 point line and draining them. You would not see it with Kobe, when Harden played the Heat Wade was not on him all the time. It's not because Wade sucks at defense and can't guard Harden (although Harden played great against Wade and Kobe) it's because you don't want Wade expending energy on Harden for the entire game. Then at the end of the game Harden was guarding Lebron and Lebron Harden. Yeah Redick won that game for them, but it's really not that much of a surprise. It's also sad to see people then say Harden wasn't trying...no he was trying. He was running all over the court and into screens. He was just failing. Maybe because he just doesn't have the stamina Redick does (which could be likely) sore foot, or just not as agile as Redick...whatever. I think his demeanor is sort of laid back and people just assume he's lazily going about his business all the while putting up a great statline. If he's doing that while being lazy, the NBA should be worried when he puts in some effort.
So that's your excuse? We are talking about Harden is incapable of defending Reddick. Do you agree or not?
Does it matter? It's more of a match-up thing then some proof that Paul George is better. Dwight can't guard Andrea Bargnani. Does that mean Marc Gasol is the better center?
Ok, so you agree he can't defend JJ Redick. Next we can move to Monte Ellis. Harden can't guard Ellis, do you agree or not?
Yes, he can guard Ellis. Just because Ellis had one good game against Harden with a bad foot doesn't mena he can't. Look at all of their previous match ups for further proof.
Just because Ellis is a chucker doesn't mean Harden can defend him. Harden seemed hurt right around that 2nd game vs. Mavs. So I will give him the benefit of the doubt. The point is Harden's defense make a lot of scrubs look like stars. They have career nights against us, and often time Parsons and Lin have to switch with him to cover it up.
Why are some people so determined to prove that another player is better or a "true" superstar? What's so wrong with sticking up for the guy ON YOUR OWN TEAM? I've lived here for 25 years and I've never understood the psyche of some of Houston's sports fans. Are people afraid to unabashedly support a team or players for fear that they'll fail? Sure, it's easier to point out flaws and say, "I told you so" than to place faith and emotion in a team. It's easier to tear down a player than to defend one. Maybe it's from years of playing competitive team sports, but where I come from you ALWAYS have your guys back. Even players on your own team that you may not care for personally. You support them because your success is always in part predicated on their success. That's why it's called a team sport. If you're a Rockets fan, you want Harden to be the superstar. You want Lin to be an All-Star. You want your guys to do well. You remember AB from 2009 and you want him to light it up when he has the chance. Everyone has the right to an opinion but these damn internet forums have become "hate for hates sake" more often than not. Personally if I heard some of this garbage in person at a game or sports bar with my friends, there would be words exchanged.
Well it's not Harden's fault Ellis is a chucker. You asked if he could defend him and the results say yeah he can, whether it's because Ellis is a chucker or not, I mean that is what it is right? But it is dangerous to say that other scrubs just always go off on the Rockets and they do so because of Harden. Scrubs go off on us regardless as we are learning. Any ways as before, I don't really care if some guy off the bench torches Harden for 25 points on a random night against the Bobcats. His defense in the playoffs was better and in big games it shows up. It may not be what people like about him but it's his body and part of being a great player is understanding limitations and pacing through the game. I think this is part of why He has been pretty durable compared to other players who drive into the paint and take as much contact as he does.
It does seem a little distinct to this forum. Bring up Lebron vs Kobe on Lakersground, watch what happens. Even though it is clear Kobe is past his prime it's hard for them to admit it.
What amazes me is how the Lin factor comes into play in pretty much all of this. Harden. McHale. Howard. Beverley. I've seen some outright asinine stuff posted that makes the second shooter conspiracy look like Newton's Laws. I defended Yao time and time again to friends who thought he was overrated. I don't remember near the same tangential effect with Yao. I lurked here back then but I don't recall things getting so out of hand. I love spirited debates and talking sports with folks (online and off) but sometimes I have to pause before replying to a post to wonder, "Do they really believe that or am I being trolled?". As for Harden, I'd wait until the all star break at the earliest to start making statements about George being the superior player. Everyone can have a hot few weeks.
harden because he can do everything paul george does well + playmaking skills so harden > paul george
Harden is 24 and George is 23, so it seems like a silly comparison to that. They can still grow as players, whereas Kobe is toast and LeBron is *probably* not going to improve (although he's so good I wouldn't put it past him).
I think it's a totally fair debate to have. Both are the best young wing players and the two most recent "superstar" inductees. The thing I don't like is the ppl who say harden is garbage and not on Paul George's level. That's just wrong and absolutely not true, if anything we should be debating wether or not PG is on hardens level. It sucks because harden has been hurt and not able to play his style if basketball this whole season while PG has been the best we've ever seen him and his team is winning a lot. Itsnthebwhat have you done for me lately moto even though the rockets are 11-5 it just seems like we should be much better. We're only 4 loses off from the pacers who play in the east and have had a cup cake schedule so far while also sporting the same core plus a veteran in scola who's known for being a great chemistry guy. There team knows each other and have played over 200 games together. Let the rockets get 40 together and I would put my money on the rocket over the pacers.
Harden with a 31 point game, 15 point 4th quarter, 6 assists and 7 rebounds. Doubt George matches that on any of the games they have against real teams on this road trip.
We will see. But Harden should have silenced a lot of these folks at least for tonight. They will be back when he has a bad game (which will happen.)
