Who was a better player for us - TMac at his best or James Harden this year?

I guessing the 18 people that voted for Harden are tinman with his 17
alter egos. Been up for 26 hours and even with my delusional sense take prime Rocket Tmac over Harden's best night. I have never seen live a player in a Rockets uniform like TMac. Guy was the best when he was here the first 3 to 4 years.

 

Totally agree. I remember how awesome T-Mac was with Orlando, and how excited I was when we got him.

I also remember his first season in Houston, watching every game hoping to see that guy, but the only glimpse of him I ever saw was one losing playoff series vs. Dallas.

 

Not everyone pimpn, just a few that actually hates the man.

 

I love Harden as much as the next Rockets fan, but come on! T-Mac gave us championship contention with Yao from the get go!

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Need I say more?

 

The first option in the poll should probably read "Tmac at his best in Houston". Some people will think the poll is Harden vs. Tmac's best year overall.

 

TMac was great in his prime, and Harden had a great year. The teams that each played on were very different though.

The Rockets during the McGrady era were supposed to be a contender. TMac in his prime, Yao Ming, and a supporting cast of veteran players should have been one of the best teams in the league, and yet they never even won their own division, and did very little in the playoffs even when both stars were healthy. This team Harden played on was supposed to be one of the worst teams in the league.

I find it interesting that Harden has a better FG%, a better 3pt%, a better FT%, got to the foul line more often, and had more steals than McGrady ever did when he was in his prime. At 6' 8" and super athletic, McGady was a more impressive looking player, and played better defense, but I think Harden may end up having a better career.

 

The result would still be the same.....

 

Every single time I see that video I get knots in my stomach, almost like I don't know whats going to happen at the end....it's unreal sometimes to go back and see how good he actually was....

 

Would yall two like to compare the #'s in both players 1st year as a Rocket?

Tracy McGrady: 78 games : 25.7 pts 43% shooting, 32% from downtown, 77% from the foul line, 6.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 turnovers.

Playoff's: 7 games: 30.7 pts, 46% shooting, 37% from downtown, 82% from the foul line, 7.4 rebounds and 6.7 assist

James Harden: 78 games: 25.9 pts, 43% shooting, 36% from downtown, 85% from the foul line, 4.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 3.8 turnovers

Playoff's: 6 games; 26.3 pts, 39% shooting, 34% from downtown, 80% from the foul line, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.


So how is Harden's 1st year as a Rocket better than Tracy's 1st year as a Rocket.

 

Would yall two like to compare the #'s in both players 1st year as a Rocket?

Tracy McGrady: 78 games : 25.7 pts 43% shooting, 32% from downtown, 77% from the foul line, 6.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 2.7 turnovers.

Playoff's: 7 games: 30.7 pts, 46% shooting, 37% from downtown, 82% from the foul line, 7.4 rebounds and 6.7 assist

James Harden: 78 games: 25.9 pts, 43% shooting, 36% from downtown, 85% from the foul line, 4.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 3.8 turnovers

Playoff's: 6 games; 26.3 pts, 39% shooting, 34% from downtown, 80% from the foul line, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.


So how is Harden's 1st year as a Rocket better than Tracy's 1st year as a Rocket.

 

No question TMac at his prime is just an amazing player. But like you said, Harden is not that far behind in his first starring year and he is still growing. Let's revisit this 2-3 years from now. God willing.

 

One of the best analysis' that ive read describing T-Mac. One difference for me is that i dont think tmac felt he was "entitled". I just think he was lazy. As gifted as tmac was, knowing how his career panned out, id still take harden over him.

 

We will have a hall of famer on our hands, ballboy willing.

 

Man, that first year team with T-Mac was one of my favorite teams of all-time with the championship Rocket teams as the other.

 

Two things instantly come to mind in this comparison:

Defense: T-Mac didn't always play good defense because he was asked to do so much offensively, but he could play lockdown in select situations, or in the playoffs (like on dirk).

Elevation: You don't see any highlights of TMac hitting step back threes or dribbling around until he finds an open jumper, because all he had to do was pull up. In his prime, he got up so high and so fast that any time TMac decided to shoot he was open. I've never seen any other player consistently able to do that from anywhere on the floor the way TMac did.

 

Ya except for the whole well-rounded game, excellent ability to run an offense, completely versatile w/ plus defensive skills.

From purely talent perspective tmac is one of the all time greats... In the Kobe/magic/lebron mold who could literally do everything. Unfortunately for him (and us) his physical and mental makeup was lacking.

So ya... I'm taking tmac at his best. And that's no knock on harden.

 

TMac easily. Not really fair since this most likely isn't even Harden's best

 

Got to be kidding. Tmac didn't win the ring for many other reasons, but his talent and performance is historically good. His best year maybe just a tiny little bit under the best years of MJ or Lebron. I doubt Harden would reach that level, and that's not a knock on Harden.

 

T-Mac at his best, no question.

 

Totally agree. My other favorite player during that time was his cousin, Vince Carter. They are so super athletic, just amazing to watch when they were playing together in Toronto.