IMO, the top tier is Lebron, Durant, Curry, and Leonard. Harden would be in the 2nd tier. I think his game has too many weaknesses to belong in the top tier.
The Spurs don't run their offense through Aldridge. If they do Harden is a capable spot up shooter Offense has or never been a problem for him He is the best offensive player in the league
Nothing about Dwight Howard had been great FOR YEARS! Just because thr pick and roll was what he did best doesn't make him GREAT at it. He hasn't been a star level performer since his Orlando days. The guy is just a BIG NAME.
The Spurs run their offense through whoever has the advantage. So they most definitely will run their offense through Aldridge at times. Spot up shooting requires off-ball movement. Since when has Harden been a willing off-ball player? I think Harden struggles in isolation against disciplined defenders. Guys with physical advantages (length, speed, height) can usually get a good look whenever they need to. Harden can't. If he can't get separation with his crossover, he either tries a step-back 3 or tries to run into his defender to bait the refs into a foul. Also, what about the defensive aspect of a Leonard/Harden swap? Since the Spurs start Tony Parker, they wouldn't be able to hide Harden on defense.
Let's not underrate Dwight b/c of how he left. Dwight was great at the pick and roll. We all wished he was willing to run it exclusively.
Dwight never got a go to move, never learned how to play facing the basket and consistently put this team in impossible situations with his silly fouls and missed FTs. He was a decent pick and roll because his athletic ability allowed him to catch lobs, the same thing Capela is doing. At the end of the day, Dwight never worked on his basketball skill set and just isn't a championship piece. (Especially at his price tag + baggage)
Not really. Leonard's rebounding numbers are deflated in San Antonio b/c he has to compete with guys like Aldridge, Gasol, Lee, and Dedmon. Let's not forget that Leonard has a height and length advantage over Harden. Additionally, Harden's rebounding numbers are inflated b/c he's hidden on defense. His mark isn't going to shoot which allows him to go for defensive rebounds. Leonard doesn't have that luxury.
Nah Curry is absolutely not in that group, especially since your supporting evidence for Harden is that "he has too many weaknesses".
If Howard was a "decent" pick and roll player, how many players would you have put ahead of him back then?
What's Curry's weakness? He's a complete offensive player, and his defense isn't nearly as bad as Clutchfans think.
Give me a list and any big that can make FTs is better. Dwight is easily neutralized by coaches who know what they're doing. You can't have Dwight on the court at crucial points of the game. I used to like Dwight and I kept waiting on him to improve his FT shooting/offense but now he's in his 30's and nothing. Couple his arrested development with the fact that he's such a head case, and I wouldn't want him on my squad now. Dwight has a nice bank account though.
Quit with the strawman arguments. You said Dwight was only a "decent" pick and roll player. If you truly believe that, you should be able to list several players who were better.
