Yea but that was in the finals. He did darn good guarding Manu and Kobe and the two previous series... CP couldn't do nothing with Mike and that was in the first round.
Let me know when you actually make a point.... Because you didn't make one with that statement. But I bet you didn't have a problem with Lin jacking it up 20 times a game during his lil break out run in NYC. Or taking 22 shots to score 29 points when we beat OKC. Harden took 19 shots and put up 46 points by the way in that game. But tell me, how do they iso-Harden every play when Lin was able to get off 22 shots...??? You only see what you want to see. You have lying eyes...
1)Taking 22 shots to get 29 points is actually decent. I didn't have a problem with anyone jacking it up 20 times a game if it led to a win, didn't stop team ball movement, and wasn't below 40% shooting. 2) I'm not saying Harden jacks up shots all the time, I'm only saying that the Rockets entire offense is orchestrated around him. (Which I don't argue against, since Harden is our best offensive player) I'm just saying that's the reason why he gets so many points per game. 3) Harden needs to play off the ball more because when he holds on to the ball and passes it off with 1 second left, it screws our offense. When he does PG duties and scoring duties, Harden becomes less efficient scorer and gets exhausted and slacks off more on defense. Harden often lets opponent SG get 20+ ppg easily which lets the enemy team come back. All I'm saying is that Harden is not a top 5 player. He's a top 12 player IF he played defense. Howard is a top 10 player easily. Clutchfans tend to look at players in a funny way. I even heard one user on this forum say they preferred Chandler over Lebron (wut?? lol) Anyway, Harden is easily better than Lin and Parsons. Either way, he's not a superstar like Howard is.
Why worry about the label? 'Are they superstars? Or are they just all-stars?' Doesn't matter! We obviously don't know how good they are going to be playing next to each other. If anything, there have been enough teams that have talent but have lost to prove that it takes a lot more than that. But, however far this team goes, it will be because of them and how well they are able to mesh together. I can't wait for this next season! Whether I am watching superstars or just all-stars, either way, it will be fun to watch!
It amazes me how some quickly forget how he played in the Western Conference Playoff's games. LOL they are so quick to point out his play in the finals that year.
So let me get this straight? Hardens only a top 12 player if he plays defense? So according to u there's atleast 12 players better than him right now? That's just rediculose the guy is 23 and was top 5 in scoring and got 6 and 5 while leading a team of unknowns to the playoffs and made them all look better than they really are. Dwight is easily the 3rd best player in the league when healthy, which he is. He truely impacts the game like only lebron and durant currently do. He's the biggest enforcer on defense and offense down low and it's by a long shot. At the end of the year I expect to both players be considered too 5 players in the game because I expect the rockets to be holding the trophy up this season. This team is very good led by two young top 10 players who are both SUPERSTARS.
LeBron gets the same treatment. And that's because everyone THINKS they're an expert and believe the game should be played how they THINK it should be played.
Mike had a good series but it wasn't anything ridiculous. CP3 is a better defender than James Harden. He's not a defensive stopper but he's passable. Harden is currently a negative on the defensive end. Hopefully, next year he'll become neutral.
It amazes me how little reading comprehension people have. It really is quite astounding. Do you even know why I brought up the NBA Finals series? To show that even great players have bad series and its dumb to judge them on that. Quite hilarious.
After the lakers, harden wasn't the same after the MWP elbow. Jeremy wasn't that great after the tittie twister. You would think a rockets board would know something about playoff injuries.
Let me make this as simple as possible... Howard saw Harden lead the same team with the same players and the same coach to the playoffs that he knew he couldn't win with. Howard was like "Hell no don't trade me to Houston". Lol.. Howard recognize greatness and that's why he's here. Because of Harden. This team wouldn't have made it to the playoffs last year if they would have had Howard instead of Harden. And other than Harden only LeBron and KD probably could have got this team to the playoffs. That's why I consider him top 5. Now that's my opinion. But it's not just my opinion that he's a super star... The greatest players on the planet consider Harden a super star player. Hall Of Fame players like Magic and Clyde consider Harden a super star player. I know those guys credentials _ what's yours...? You trying to say you know more than them and they are wrong...? And you keep talking about defense. Obviously Harden's defense wasn't much of an issue because they made the playoffs. The only person who played defense on the Rockets was Asik anyway. That's a team and coaching issue not an individual issue.
Not in the playoffs he ain't... Harden has locked up guys like Kobe and Manu in the playoffs. Who's CP3 shut down in the playoffs...? And don't say Mike Conley.
Great post. Finally some one with some logic Harden is alot of Francis back in the day for us Yes, he was our best player. Yes, without him we wouldnt win as many games. Yes, he had good stats BUT just like Francis, his style of play (isoing and dribbling around) is not condusive to winning at a high level I think with Howard, I hope he plays more in control liek he did for the Thunder and really focus on d. It looks good to dance around and score 25 but not that impressive when opposing SGs get 20 on you
Thabo was mainly shutting down Kobe in the playoffs. Harden has the potential to be decent defensively but last year he put absolutely no effort on that side of the floor so he wasn't very good.
Someone who can consistantly dominate games throughout a whole season and the playoffs. Both Harden and Howard have done that.
can we stop complaining about Hardens defense? i know he was a below average defender but he is young and will improve just give him time
This is exactly what you said" That clearly shows that he is one of the worst players in the NBA.". Next time be a little more clear and cut out the sarcasm BS. And next time, if there is a next time, dont come on here trying to question my comprehension cuz buddy boy you said what I highlighted in bold black letters. Now are you saying you cant read your own sh** with understanding and comprehension. Yeah very funny indead smart one.
