I'll concede much better is a stretch but James is better. He's clearly the better scorer even if not as efficient as Nash - though he is close because of FTs. But he's just a better volume scorer and one on one scorer. He's a better rebounder. He's now a comparable assist man. He does turn the ball over 2 times more a game. But I'd argue James is and when he tries absolutely is a better defender. They're both bad there though. Both great players. Nash gets credit for being so amazingly efficient and most importantly bringing back a style that the NBA had lost for 10-15 years, for doing it as a short white guy (lol... true though). Without Nash I don't think you have Curry... or even Harden and this years Rockets. But Curry and Harden are better versions. They just are.
I mean Harden is a better scorer for the most part. That's obvious. But ball handling, passing, decision making all goes to Nash. Both had high usage so the turnovers are expected. But the TYPE of turnovers Harden does are just unacceptable. Even though Harden is the superior athlete, I'd still give Nash the nod because he's proven he'll make the right play every single time down the stretch. You really never know with Harden, ESPECIALLY in the playoffs
I agree that Nash was more trustworthy with the ball and a better decision maker. As great as Harden is as a playmaker and passer, Nash is still on another level in comparison. However, Harden's scoring to go along with his playmaking and passing is what allows him to surpass Nash as a player. We also have to keep in mind that this is Harden's 1st season as a full time PG. he could be even better next season.
What must not be forgotten, Nash had years to develop his pg skills. This is Harden's first year playing like one full time.
What were Nash's numbers in his two MVP seasons. IIRC, 19 pts/ 11.5 asts. Harden is clearly playing a level above Nash even by Nash's MVP stats. That's a huge advantage. Clint is much less than Amare, but I think the difference is smaller than the difference between Harden and Nash. That said, we are in different NBA eras. Put this Rockets team in the NBA 10 years ago, we are a legit title contender. There werent super teams that stacked with 3 to 4 stars in their prime then. So I think this Rocket team is at least a wash with the Suns, but the competition has become a lot stronger.
Harden isn't a better scorer for the most part. He's a better scorer period. Meaningfully. So while he averages 2 more TOs a game, some of which are dumb, some of which are him just purposefully forcing passes (that sometimes work as well)... he does so while scoring 9+ points a game. It's just more of an offensive burden ... which Harden can and does handle effectively. He's just a better offensive player overall. Factoring in the crazy statistical offensive season the Rockets are having... even more crazy than the Suns teams... further points to that
D'Antoni's offense will never win a championship... until he wins a championship. (Like Spoelstra was not a championship coach, they said, and he won it twice.)
