Re: James Harden is a joke.
Wow, I wasn't expecting so much negativity about Harden tbh.
The guy is playing hurt. Legitimately. Has he been playing like crap lately? Yes. But we NBA fans always succumb to 'what have you done for me recently' disease, and it looks like a lot of ppl in this thread have it.
Secondly, about Harden's non-existent midrange game. It's the Rockets game plan NOT to take midrange shots, but to maximise three pointers and layups, the two most efficient shots you can take. Hence why you don't see Harden taking too many midrange jumpers, even though he's perfectly capable of making them.
What people are getting right: Harden's horrible defence and his offensive flopping. The dangerous thing about Harden though is that earlier in the season, his explosiveness to getting to the rim meant that you had to foul him or he would make easy layup. Now that the first step is gone, he's resorting to crappy fouls, which is really annoying, but hopefully will go away once he gets back to full health next season.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
Great player but his flaws are noticeable and it's his lack of D that hurts him the most IMO. Right now, I put him in a class with prime: Michael Redd, Latrell Sprewell, Gilbert Arenas, and Vince Carter. All great, imperfect players, but we will see how Harden differentiates himself in the near and distant future. I believe his clean shooting form/touch, alone, is conducive to big moments plus being a great slasher and left handed. But more than half the game is mental, effort, etc. Too often I see him looking to draw a foul rather than looking to score, which is not only a cheap way to score but I think it's lazy video-game offense (much like a plethora of bad threes).
Re: James Harden is a joke.
[QUOTE=brantonli]Wow, I wasn't expecting so much negativity about Harden tbh.
The guy is playing hurt. Legitimately. Has he been playing like crap lately? Yes. But we NBA fans always succumb to 'what have you done for me recently' disease, and it looks like a lot of ppl in this thread have it.
Secondly, about Harden's non-existent midrange game. It's the Rockets game plan NOT to take midrange shots, but to maximise three pointers and layups, the two most efficient shots you can take. Hence why you don't see Harden taking too many midrange jumpers, even though he's perfectly capable of making them.
What people are getting right: Harden's horrible defence and his offensive flopping. The dangerous thing about Harden though is that earlier in the season, his explosiveness to getting to the rim meant that you had to foul him or he would make easy layup. Now that the first step is gone, he's resorting to crappy fouls, which is really annoying, but hopefully will go away once he gets back to full health next season.[/QUOTE]
What's his excuse for taking bad shot after bad shot and coughing up the ball ten times last night when parsons was hot and pretty much single handedly brought them back. It's like this mother****er doesn't want anyone else stealing the spotlight from him.
Three plays in a row he didn't pass the ball once...dribbled the clock out and took a bad shot, including an airball.
Before that he had two TOs.
And this is not the only game he's done this in. He's been doing this 4th quarter, Hero ball shit for what seems like forever lately.
He's the main reason why the Rockets are facing OKC and not Denver or SA...his crappy, selfish play at the end of the season.
Even his "game winner" against the Suns was a brick.
I gave him the benefit of the doubt earlier. Now I just think he's an idiot. No defense, can't pass for shit, glares at Asik when he doesn't catch an alley oop that goes over the backboard. **** this guy.
And while I'm at it...**** McHale too. Never seen such a clueless, wussified coach like McHale. Why does he kiss hardens ass so much? He never should have been brought back in the fourth quarter last night.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
[QUOTE=KungFuJoe]
He's the main reason why the Rockets are facing OKC and not Denver or SA...his crappy, selfish play at the end of the season.[/QUOTE]
Hes also 90% of the reason you are in the playoffs in the first place
Re: James Harden is a joke.
his game is so boring. it really signals the decline of the iso game in this league.
just a decade ago, the leading iso offensive players were guys like Iverson, Francis, Kobe, Tmac, Carter etc, guys that had a variety of dribble moves and deadly jumper from everywhere. They could cross you over twice then pull up in your face
now it's full of guys not even attempting to break their defender down and just drive to the hole flailing their arms for a foul. terrible to watch
Re: James Harden is a joke.
[QUOTE=SCdac]Great player but his flaws are noticeable and it's his lack of D that hurts him the most IMO. Right now, I put him in a class with prime: Michael Redd, Latrell Sprewell, Gilbert Arenas, and Vince Carter. All great, imperfect players, but we will see how Harden differentiates himself in the near and distant future. I believe his clean shooting form/touch, alone, is conducive to big moments plus being a great slasher and left handed. But more than half the game is mental, effort, etc. Too often I see him looking to draw a foul rather than looking to score, which is not only a cheap way to score but I think it's lazy video-game offense (much like a plethora of bad threes).[/QUOTE]
Vince Carter, get real.
Carter
Sprewell
Arenas/Harden
Redd
Re: James Harden is a joke.
poor harden poor lin poor asik ... darn it ... give them another year...
this is what happens when you over pay role players :D
Re: James Harden is a joke.
[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]Vince Carter, get real.
Carter
Sprewell
Arenas/Harden
Redd[/QUOTE]
Prime wise Arenas>>>>>>>
Redd does not belong to this league.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
[QUOTE=andremiller07]Hes also 90% of the reason you are in the playoffs in the first place[/QUOTE]
Unfortunately harden believes he's 100% of the reason they are in the playoffs.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
[QUOTE=L.Kizzle]Vince Carter, get real.
Carter
Sprewell
Arenas/Harden
Redd[/QUOTE]
I'm thinking "best case scenario" to "worst case scenario"... While Harden and Carter don't have identical playing style, best case scenario I can see Harden getting to that level (he's not there yet) at least as a scorer (perhaps not an all around player). Carter was young once too and at Harden's age he lead the Raptors to 45 wins and a first round exit. None the less, I'm probably not as high an Carter as you are. Worst case scenario Harden is merely another explosive scorer with range ala Michael Redd before injuries decimated his career.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
[QUOTE=SCdac]I'm thinking "best case scenario" to "worst case scenario"... While Harden and Carter don't have identical playing style, best case scenario I can see Harden getting to that level (he's not there yet) at least as a scorer (perhaps not an all around player). Carter was young once too and at Harden's age he lead the Raptors to 45 wins and a first round exit. None the less, I'm probably not as high an Carter as you are. Worst case scenario Harden is merely another explosive scorer with range ala Michael Redd before injuries decimated his career.[/QUOTE]
He's a better Michael Finley.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
Credit where credit is due...he's been masterful tonight.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
Re: James Harden is a joke.
[QUOTE=imnew09]7/7
Bump![/QUOTE]
Why you bumping? It's Harden. He'll probably go 6-19 with 5 TO's the next game. He did the same crap when he was in OKC. But because he was 3rd on the team no one said jack when he had bad games, but when he had good games it was all about how good he is.
He's a good player. But he's not as good as his best games because he has a ton of horrid games too. His playmaking is overrated (horrid assists to TO ratio) and goes hot and cold too much.