Boston fans don't even think he is worth the max why is it because he is 5'10 and plays no defense? James Hardens defense isn't that good and I would pay him the max without a heart beat. If Thomas was James Harden height would people's opinions change about him?
He's a star, not superstar. Difficult to win with a player that size. Big Isiah is the shortest best player on a champion and he was 6'0". He was very hard-nosed and clutch. The next shortest player was probably Wade at 6'4"... a strong, clutch player. Shaq could still be argued as the best player in that team. Curry (6'3") didn't win FMVP. It's just more difficult to affect games at that size when your shot isn't falling. The shortest Top 20 player is 6'6". If Harden was 5'10" and guarding the post.... oh my.
harden scores more, is a better passer, a better rebounder,, and even a better defender than IT (IT steals per game are pathetic). i'd have more faith in harden being a number 1 on a championship team than thomas.
A superstar? ....I guess it depends on your definition of superstar. How many superstars do you think there are in the league? If you think there are like 20+ then IT is a superstar. For most people to consider someone a superstar he will have to be performing at the most top level and for more than a season. Being a winner also helps. Popularity also.
Height matters a lot because the best players in the league are 6'8+. If you aren't at least 6'5 your team is just gimping themselves because you are paying the same amount as somebody 6'8+ and when crunch time comes, you have scenarios where 6'0 Chris Paul is being guarded by 6'8 Kawhi Leonard. There's a reason why teams with pg franchise players haven't won since Magic. And before you say Steph Curry...the guy is making 15M and that's why they could afford to field 5 all stars in their squad. If Curry made 30M and GSW can only afford 3 max guys and the rest are min lvl guys they would get owned by both the Spurs and Cavs.
2nd Team All NBA and a 2-time All Star not a superstar?! He is worthy of the max and has stepped up in the playoffs.
You can't just add height to IT and project him to be that much better If he was much taller, he wouldn't be able to go through other players' legs or hide behind them or not be noticeable on the court....
He's an analytical superstar, that's for sure. He just seems tough to build around. You need someone to take the ball out of his hands to win. When you take the ball out of his hands he's not as good of a player.
Well.... that's a terrifying picture. As for IT. If you are under 6'0 and don't have PG skills, a team can't build their franchise around you. His on/off defensive numbers showed what a massive liability he is on D. On a contender he needs to play the Lou Williams/Jamal Crawford role.
IT is a solid All-Star caliber player, but he is not a superstar and I doubt he'll ever get there. There's probably at least 20 players I'd take over him. Boston will never win a championship with IT as their #1 option. Physical measurables matter. They need to get a new "Batman" and have IT be the "Robin". Or trade him. There's really only one obvious superstar in the entire Eastern Conference and that's LeBron. Wade's one too, but he's declining. A good case can also be made for Wall and Irving.
I dunno if the Celtics tried to trade IT, if there would be a lot of takers. He's not a great fit on any team I can think of, especially for $30 million a year.
he averaged 29ppg 6 apg on 46 percent shooting and 38 percent from three. He basically averaged the same points as harden on better shooing numbers and less minutes. Harden is considered a top 3 player and IT is not even top 20 wtf. If IT was 6'5-6'6 people would be all over him. Be honest with your self. Do we have potential to win a championship with James Harden as our number 1 option?
