Shaq vs Iverson one on one discussions have been done to death. But Iverson would straight up kill Shaq in HORSE.
That doesn't mean anything. In those games, Kawhi was strategically rested against creampuff opponents.
Harden has gone from being the best SG to PG in two seasons Leonard's offensive improvement is awesome but what Harden has done is historic
Kawhi scoring is cringeworthy like Ariza and they let him drop the shoulder into defenders and other crap stuff. He's just NBA manufactured.
Yes, but not because of defense. It's actually Harden's drop in shooting efficiency that has tilted me towards giving Kawhi the edge. It's becoming increasingly more difficult to defend Harden's inconsistent shooting, and if you take away the ability to draw fouls, is Harden really a better scorer than Kawhi in general? Give me back that 37~38% 3PT shooter Harden and I will take Harden over Leonard. Until then, no.
This is tough, Harden is a better offensive player (though Leonard is more efficient) but defensively it is not even close, Leonard is far and away the better defensive player. The question really should be would you trade Harden for Leonard? That is where it sort of makes it a tougher call. DD
Give me Kawhi. Hell, I'll take him because any player that is allowed to play physical defense and play 89mins (0 fouls in 70 mins in games 1 & 2) of NBA PLAYOFF BASKETBALL without getting called for a foul is a boss superstar who has the refs in his pocket. This guy has been called for 4 fouls in 111mins in this series ( he's 19 of 21 shooting FT in the same span) and people still cry that he is underrated. The refs love this cat. Harden had 3 fouls in 20 mins IN HIS OWN BUILDING. In the NBA officiating matters and Kawhi gets grown up love from the refs.
What does that have to do with anything? Harden was already doing 80% of PG duties and the de facto play maker before this season. Even Morey said that it didn't really change anything but names.
But he is the best. No one expected that It also is sign of his professionalism which is doubted because of so called defensive effort
I say no. If they switch teams the Rockets are not the 3 seed and the Spurs are at least #2 if not #1 with Harden. Leonard's defense is overrated now that he has to carry more offense. He is getting by on his reputation from when he was mainly a defender. Leonard has better teammates and a better coach, I find it laughable that all the sudden the Rockets haveperceived all-star roster in the media just to make Harden look bad. Nobody claimed that before the season started.
Leonard's defense isn't overrated at all. He may not guard the opposing team's best offensive player all game anymore, but he definitely guards him to close the game out. Regarding a Leonard/Harden swap, think about Harden's style of play. He likes to run pick and rolls with 3 stationary 3pt shooters. Neither Aldridge nor Gasol are pick and roll players, and Parker/Aldridge/Dedmon aren't 3pt shooters. How exactly do you envision a Spurs offense running with Harden instead of Leonard?
What's your point? That team had plus defenders at every position except SG (Beverley/Ariza/Josh Smith/Howard). Do the Spurs? And although Howard wanted shots in the post, let's not forget that he was a great pick and roll player. How exactly do you envision a Spurs offense running with Harden instead of Leonard?
They don't run their offense through Aldridge The Rockets did post Howard and it usually end up Harden trying to work a miracle getting the ball back with less than seven seconds Harden has played well in three different offenses OKC McHale D'Antoni He would adjust
That's a lazy answer. Do you think he's going to suddenly become a plus defender? Or that he'll be much more active without the ball? In what way would he adjust?
