he should coast more during the regular season...he should take a page from LeThanos’s book, although it is easier for Bron to do that since he plays in the East Harden doesn’t need to have an insane 36% usage rate during the regular season...that offensive load is just gonna wear him down eventually...it’s tiring to do all that driving, ISO, dribbling, and shot creation for the entire regular season and then have to do it in the postseason against nothing but good or elite level teams KD said that they knew Harden would wear down because he had the ball so much and did so much dribbling, plus they were making him have to expend energy defensively GS went into halftime of every game knowing that Harden would fall off in the 2nd half
Question, i don't know the answer honestly. CP3's game production, even in his good games, didn't match what sometimes Harden's production might be in his bad games... looking at scoring, or even shooting. Other than the game 5 Utah eruption. So how much credit does CP3 get or not get for "running the show" in the wins against GSW. As much to the point, if CP3 is there and prevents the halftime collapses / prevents the second half Step+GSW surges (not saying he does, but if he did)... how does one value that part of the game?
Literally nobody is saying or said give us kmart, jlamb, and our pick back. Ever. We all know Harden can do absolutely no wrong in your view. Just cause others point out improvements he needs to make or have a different analysis/opinion on him doesn’t always mean they don’t like or support the guy.
LOL this fan saying we had the perfect championship team this year if not for Harden let's say you had a choice of replacing Harden with anyone this whole year, aside from Lebron, who would you have replaced Harden with to get this team as sure championship this year?? chirp chirp...
I mean you can say Alpha all you want, but the fact is CP needs Harden alot more than Harden needs CP and I say this as a guy who loves CP3. And yea he didnt play up to his MVP stats I get it, but relative to everyone else, he had the second best advanced stats behind Lebron and thats it. AD was not BETTER, he had Rondo J True and Mirotic, they werent putting scrubs out there. He got the same number of games as the Spurs. Hell they even got beat a game without Curry.
he gets a lot of credit, but what I have a problem with is people saying stuff like “he won us game 4,” that was a collective effort Harden carried him in the 1st half and honestly saved us, because we were down 12-0 and it was looking ugly, and as he wore down, there was CP3 to carry him in the 2nd...that is why he was brought here and why it helps to have more than 1 superstar CP3 gets a lot of credit for game 5 too, and he deserves a lot of credit in general for being a steady hand and being there for Harden when he’s having his bad moments or is tiring out...Harden helps out CP3 by doing the heavy lifting and taking a lot of the burden offensively so that he doesn’t have to because like I said, CP3 was not good in games 1, 3, and the 1st halves of games 4 and 5 we can even look at games like game 1 against Minny where CP3 had 14 points and 6 turnovers and Harden carried him
Only thing I will blame Harden for is game 5, man I can honestly say he just flat out was shook and that sucks, cause CP prolly doesnt get injured if Harden was even below average.
It's really convenient for you to have that bet now, now that the stars have sort of aligned. Imagine if you did that bet back in 2013 or 2014. You would lose.
There wasn’t a single player that was gonna get us to a Championship outside of Lebron but it’s not like Harden’s production wereA untouchable or couldn’t be close to being replaced by another player. Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant for whole year including playoffs. Excluding playoffs gotta consider Damian Lillard. Of course Kawhi was injured this year but had he been healthy he definitely would’ve been a pick. Either way the regular season MVP race between Harden and Lebron wasn’t as unanimous as the difference and gap between the two when it really matters. The Playoffs. He dominated and came up huge in all the important moments. The 4th quarters, game winners, closeout games. You would be hard pressed to pick his best game these playoffs. Same for Harden but for a different reason.
he’s the same dude that wanted to trade Harden for Buddy Hield, WCS, and the Kings 8th and 10th pick in last year’s draft...he’s a little confused, forgive him
Your points about consistency are mostly fair. He spoils us in the regular season, where he has been responsible for many comebacks and bailouts. But feelings and vibes are made in the regular season. Memories are made in the playoffs. Harden doesn't have Dream-like consistency or dominance in the postseason, and he needs his teammates (and refs) to shine in order for his game to become more unpredictable. The quoted point isn't about adding LBJ for more leadership or alpha responsibilities...it's about the chance of adding LBJ. I'm fine with CP3 and happy it worked out with what he brings. I would not be happy if they didn't grow together next season. If we could get a 3nD wing like Paul George, most of the board would be content or borderline ecstatic. It would be unanimous...if spoiled fans forgot about the chance of adding LBJ. I don't see how we could or want to trade a Prime Harden. So what if ISO ball is infuriating to watch? I understand it's like watching Jim do Russian Roulette on every play. Had the Rockets won, that series would've been the greatest Troll Job pulled off by Murray and Jim. Had ANYONE ELSE made a shot or two in the last two games, all eyes wouldn't be on Harden. Would you trade Lilard+CJ for him so that years of mediocrity "looks fun"? Or are you also spoiled by Jim and Murry "fixing things" to some degree? Good luck on getting the Bucks to trade Greek Freak for him. Does Johnny even want to play in the West where "cornerstone MVPs" like AD are busting their ass just to get in the playoffs?
Theres no guarantee either of those guys become better than Harden. One cant shoot and the other doesnt have the play making abilities.
Lol, congrats, u want a cookie? U also suggested trading him for McCollum and Portland’s 2 mediocre picks. Simmons or Tatum would be lucky to ever get on Harden’s level, and CP3 definitely wasn’t coming here last summer to play with either of them. You’re very confused. then u bring up Lillard again in this thread, lmao...Lillard can’t show his face again unless Jrue says so
Absolutely. Why is Davis not crucified , why is Russ or PG or Giannis or Durant pre - GS not crucified ? Harden is the second best player in the league . Next year he might be the best . No one has carried more of a load and had better results .... that is indisputable. Lebron is close , but , he plays in the east . Harden has petered out a bit in the playoffs , but his role players generally have not stepped up either . You need a team to win . Individual players taking over and carrying for a whole game isn't going to happen anymore. The defenses are too good nowadays..... and harden isn't someone who just goes nuts from 3. He has a few things he can get better at . His knowledge and feel for the game should continue to grow as he gains more experience and has time to reflect . Maybe this last postseason will motivate him to take his conditioning to new heights so he can play both sides more consistently. But James is undoubtedly a top 5 player ... how much more can we expect from him ? He has the maturity to know to ask for help and to play well with CP3 . Without being so much of a p***y he goes to join GS ..... or being too headstrong like Russ . Put yourself in James shoes for a minute and realize how much he's done and how great he is . Demanding more reflects poorly on us as a fan base
