There's only 2 superstars in the league right now and it's Lebron and Durant. Everybody else is not quite there.
Having said that...still love me some James Harden. He made the Rockets relevant again. If he gets his defense where it needs to be (big if at this point), he's an easy Top 5 player in the league. His offense is already so good.
LOL and was he also the one making the point Harden can't get out of first round. LOVE couldn't even carry a team to the playoffs lolzzz. Harden did his first year without practice time, without any plays, without a REAL COACH says Clutchfans, and no one wants to remember that!! Everyone was in awe Harden's first year here, even the players. Chandler got better because Harden took all the pressure off everyone!! LOLzz people need to open their eyes, and stop watching some Defense youtube video. Every player in the NBA could have a bad YouTube video of plays throughout 82 games. Also agreeing with you here, Harden balled Game 6 in Houston, he didn't lose the game, the team did. He was averaging 4 points a shot through 3 plus quarters and wasn't/isn't a chucker. The only player in the L that isn't a chucker and ball hog to get HIS SHOTS. He plays very well in the flow, and gets to the RIM. If it isn't one thing it is another complaint here on Clutchfans. Oh and Harden also carried a KD and Westbrook team against a very good Spurs team that was about to be up 3-0 on them, all the way from not 3-0 and to 2-1 in one half, changed the series, and went to the finals. He then lost against LBJ and missed some tough shots he was fouled on, and Miami exposed some weakness with a toughness down low that was allowed by Stern bc LBJ needed that first title. 3 of those losses were by a total of 16 points and could have gone either way if said fouls were called for even WB and KD. That team was young and overconfident after beating the spurs and also winning game 1 of the finals. Scottie Brooks did get beat up a little bit, but LBJ was that player that beat him up...to all the bashers. Like he said above Harden's going nowhere...
Neither Really need to play defense and then learn how to play defense. Don't need to be great but be better than average. Plus have more then a few move in his offense game. Refs ain't calling them fouls in playoff basketball. Learn a post up move or two. After that learn to move the ball around instead of holding it for 12+ seconds. But he really needs to be a leader. Ton talent but don't know if he can tap it and definitely know McHale not the coach to tap it.
His ceiling IMO is the best player not considered a transcendent player ALA a Lebron, Kobe, Durant, Duncan etc. He has the potential to be a great defender. If he does reach his potential though, he doesn't have the athleticism or just the talent to be truly dominant on both ends of the court (or just legendary on one side ALA Durant).
He totally played out of his mind and took over that series. To be fair though, he still does that to the Spurs. I think that it's just a great matchup for him, whether that's because of their defensive philosophy or whatever, I'm not really sure, but he still does it to them. Dwight also beasts on them. I guess that's why we swept them last year....
I disagree.. He has nearly 60% of professionals mentality but he is still so good Once he matured & his mindset is settled along with his high IQ on the court, he would be complete player at both ends
James harden is better than Kevin love. And the poster that would trade harden for rondo? And cp3? Are u serious. Guards don't win rings elite wings do. Plus cp3 is the biggest chocker in the playoffs. Any team with him as the main guy will never win big. I'll bet 100 dollars to the tip jar that harden has a better yr stat wise and team wise than love cp3 and rondo and will advance much further than those guys in the playoffs seeing as loves overrated self can't even get in the playoffs. Kevin love is bit a first or second option on a contender. If he didn't rebound so good he would be Ryan Anderson 2.0.
While I understand your point, it's sort of the thing isn't it. I don't think LMA played badly against San Antonio, he just wasn't hitting shots and was getting called for charges that weren't getting called against us. Players that rely on jump shooting, even ones absolutely phenomenal at that one skill (such as Durant) can go through bad stretches over such short time frames. If you're less talented than your opponents as a team, you need to be shooting at unsustainable rates and somewhat hoping they're down to beat them in a series, but if the reverse instead happens, you get hammered.
Was there ever a NBA team with two "superstar", and couldn't win a playoff series? You can find any excuses you want, but the guy sucked big time in all but one of the playoff games against Blazers. When he doesn't contribute on the offensive end, he is a garbage.
Umm Blake griffin/cp3 the year before???? Good teams get bounced all the time how bout dirk winning MVP and leading the macs to 64 wins but got bounced round one to an 8 seed. Good teams and players get sent home early every year that's the beauty of the playoffs. Having 2 superstars greatly effects your game to advance though and seeing as we have two I think we'll have a much deeper playoff win this yr with harden and Howard having played a full season together and ready to take it up a notch in ur two.
Harden is an all star capable of superstar performances. Doesn't mean eventually he cant become a consistent superstar.