I have been a Rockets fan since the late 80's. With the current accqusition of Chris Paul, is he simply the best PG that the Rockets ever had at this point? I didn't get to watch Calvin Murphy play live before, can someone shed some light on this while we all wait for the arrival of Melo please : )
I doubt CP3 will top what Harden did last year. In fact, almost no PG anywhere has accomplished what Harden did last year.
Calvin Murphy was more of a shooting guard, as I remember him. Maybe our best pure PG was John Lucas. Maybe it will be CP3?
Did you know? As of all-star break last season, James Harden passed Stevie Francis for games played as a Rocket (if you include playoff games). Also, here are the top 10 total assist guys in Rockets history: Calvin Murphy - 4402 assists - 1002 games - 4.39 APG Allen Leavell - 3339 assists - 700 games - 4.77 APG Hakeem Olajuwon - 2992 assists - 1177 games - 2.54 APG James Harden - 2985 assists - 396 games - 7.53 APG Mike Newlin - 2581 assists - 604 games - 4.27 APG Kenny Smith - 2457 assists - 468 games - 5.25 APG Steve Francis - 2411 assists - 384 games - 6.27 APG Sleepy Floyd - 2363 assists - 439 games - 5.38 APG John Lucas - 2358 assists - 325 games - 7.25 APG Robert Reid - 2253 assists - 762 games - 2.95 APG And here are the top 10 assist per game guys in Rockets history: James Harden 7.6 John Lucas 7.3 Art Williams 6.0 Rafer Alston 5.7 Tracy McGrady 5.6 Kyle Lowry 5.6 Clyde Drexler 5.4 Sleepy Floyd 5.4 Kenny Smith 5.2 So for me: Best point guard = John Lucas Best hybrid guard = James Harden Best point forward = Tracy McGrady Best point center (lolz) = Hakeem Olajuwon
I wasn't old enough to remember anyone before Kenny Smith. My first basketball memories are from the championship years. So I have an affinity for all Rockets players during that era. I don't count harden because he's really only had one year of having the pg mindset. I hope cp3 ends up tops on this list.
People **** on Rafer but look at his averages, ranked 4th all time?! That's pretty decent. In terms of PG skills, from the players I've witnessed, I'd say: 1. Harden - no argument needed 2. Maxwell - yes he was our best creator by far, got steals and was very good at getting the ball to Dream. 3. T-Mac - should have been better 4. Rafer - got into the paint easily, set up Yao and got steals to run out as a PG should 5. Kenny - solid, in terms of handles and in the pick and roll.
I don't remember any of that. what i do remember is Rafer Rainbows (his tear drop floater). I still wake up in the middle of night thinking about those things.
Positional orthodoxy is done as of 10 years ago (or longer) - but Harden's offensive output last year was easily the greatest in a Rockets uniform and one of the best ever in any uniform.
