Harden had 21 and 16 of em came from the free throw line :scust:

[KidJSoul]

That’s the problem. Harden isn’t a superstar

Just a top tier perennial All-Star. He’s on the cusp of being a superstar with guys like Giannis & AD but not quite

There’s only 4 true superstars active in the current NBA and two of them are not playing

 

[Jordan>>LeFrozen]

Nice attempt to move the goalposts on Covington.

You didn't say that he couldn't drive, you said he couldn't finish. Covington isn't a ballhandler but he's been an excellent cutter since the Sixers years and he finishes very well, even in traffic. Gordon and Austin are both aggressive drivers who finish decently well for guards and you can't pretend like they've only ever scored when the rim is completely open. Jeff Green is solid on driving and finishing. And Westbrook of course is an elite driver and finisher.

Harden is literally surrounded by guys who can shoot and he has multiple other ballhandlers around him at all times. Every time they double him it leaves shooters open on the perimeter, especially when they rotate someone to the middle to cover up there. Claiming that he can't come up with any option and has to just throw up wild poor shots is lame for someone who's supposed to be an MVP and the best offensive player in the game.

I'm trying to imagine you this hard for LeBron on a 2-11 outing.

To be fair Chicago is right about one thing, and I’m a lakers fan. Hardens other teammates were ass most of the time or weren’t hitting shots when necessary. He was getting the ball out his hands and rockets had good looks, just couldn’t convert. I watched them either brick or allow the Lakers to recover too fast. That isn’t all Harden’s fault.

but I do agree with what cantstop said as well, Harden has to adjust as well if others can’t get it done. He never makes attempt to adjust to defense. It’s the same dance with him and his offensive game is rather gimmicky anyways. Along with the fact that this team just isn’t good enough. Russell is also redundant next to him.

 

[FTBS]

James Harden stats are inflated due to this era’s pace he is not impressive at all.

It's not so much pace, as pace used to be higher and top guys points are generally static from era to era. Pace helps 3rd options and below. It's actually the "freedom of movement" on the perimeter. He gets a lot of really cheap, weak calls. This affects how people defend him. He relies on the streakiest shot in the game and FTs. When he's cold from 3 and not getting bailed out be officials AND the heat is on he is a different player.

 

[Jordan>>LeFrozen]

 

[Voice of Reason]

That’s the problem. Harden isn’t a superstar

Just a top tier perennial All-Star. He’s on the cusp of being a superstar with guys like Giannis & AD but not quite

There’s only 4 true superstars active in the current NBA and two of them are not playing

There is only one proven superstar in the league

 

[LV Koopa]

It was Dwight Howard's fault.
Nope, it was Kevin McHale's fault.
Sorry, it was Chris Paul's fault.
Oops no, it was Melo's fault.
Nah, it was Clint Capela's fault.

Seems like somebody else always gets the blame for why Harden and the Rockets underperform.
Westbrook and D'Antoni up next on that summer jam screen.

 

[Don Homer]

It was Dwight Howard's fault.
Nope, it was Kevin McHale's fault.
Sorry, it was Chris Paul's fault.
Oops no, it was Melo's fault.
Nah, it was Clint Capela's fault.

Seems like somebody else always gets the blame for why Harden and the Rockets underperform.
Westbrook and D'Antoni up next on that summer jam screen.

Because he needs the ball ALL THE TIME. He can’t play with other stars/superstars

 

[Exlurkernegro]

James Harden stats are inflated due to this era’s pace he is not impressive at all.

What you'd think he'd average in the 2000s?

 

[Don Homer]

What you'd think he'd average in the 2000s?

Honestly I don’t think Harden gets the calls he gets if he played in the 90s

he wouldn’t go to the line nearly as much. He’d prolly average 24-27 pts per game in his prime. That’s clearly good, but he wouldn’t get scoring titles most likey

he’s not a good 3pt shooter, he just shoots a ton.

 

[Professor Emeritus]

To be fair Chicago is right about one thing, and I’m a lakers fan. Hardens other teammates were ass most of the time or weren’t hitting shots when necessary. He was getting the ball out his hands and rockets had good looks, just couldn’t convert. I watched them either brick or allow the Lakers to recover too fast. That isn’t all Harden’s fault.

but I do agree with what cantstop said as well, Harden has to adjust as well if others can’t get it done. He never makes attempt to adjust to defense. It’s the same dance with him and his offensive game is rather gimmicky anyways. Along with the fact that this team just isn’t good enough. Russell is also redundant next to him.

I can't disagree with that. Star players almost never have a bad game when all their teammates are playing well, and if they do it rarely matters (unless they're so ball-dominant/selfish that they fukk shyt up for everyone else). But the question is how Harden plays under pressure. How he does in the most vital, clutch, situations, when the team NEEDS him to make it happen. And he's been awful at that his whole career.

 

[Gil Scott-Heroin]

All those years of arguing trying to get folks to see Harden's game for what it is, and now everyone is on the same page.

 

[Izanami]

 

[Nero Christ]

c'mon breh every single one of those defenders were plumbers

 

[mindgawn]

You acknowledge harden being doubled and make excuses but WILL NOT acknowledged Chef Curry being doubled still averaging 29ppg.
Shxts hilarious

 

[Black Lightning]