James Harden is the best SG in the West, and arguably, the league.

[midnightpulp]

End of story.

[dunkman]

It was dumb to trade him, but not sure his better then Wade.
Wade plays defense too.

[midnightpulp]

It was dumb to trade him, but not sure his better then Wade.
Wade plays defense too.

Like I said. Arguable.

But he is without question the top SG in the West.

[sook]

arguably, still amazing though.

[Cry Havoc]

Harden is better over a 7 game series IMO. Dude is absolutely tireless and looks like he wants to improve every game. Wade can still turn it on for half a series, but I don't see him taking over for more than 1-2 games.

I thought the Thunder made a mistake trading him, but Harden's exceeding my expectations. Probably most Rockets fans too. That stepback J is fucking beautiful.

[Brunodf]

Another grass is green thread

[Robz4000]

Not gonna lie. Harden trade notwithstanding, I thought Morey was building a shitter in Houston before the season started. Now that team is starting to look great; even Lin isn't completely useless (not worth his contract tho), and now this Robinson trade happens. The Rockets will be interesting to watch, especially if Harden continues to grow.

[djohn2oo8]

WCzjod0_iZA

[Latarian Milton]

harden ain't the right guy to use as a 6th man or a #3 scoring option on a team, nigga is born to be da #1 imho

[chapnis]

So happy he was traded from OKC, Spurs would've had no shot this season otherwise.

[oh crap]

Why da fuck couldn't this harden show up in the finals? Happy for him excelling though.

[D-Wade]

So happy he was traded from OKC, Spurs would've had no shot this season otherwise.

Yup. And even though the Heat are better this year (Bron way better), you wouldn't expect Harden to choke in the finals again.

[Richie]

Not gonna lie. Harden trade notwithstanding, I thought Morey was building a shitter in Houston before the season started. Now that team is starting to look great; even Lin isn't completely useless (not worth his contract tho), and now this Robinson trade happens. The Rockets will be interesting to watch, especially if Harden continues to grow.

At $7m per year, Lins contract isn't bad. I agree, they look to be putting together a good, young team with this Robinson addition.

A starting 5 of Lin/Harden/Parsons/Robinson/Asik has a lot of room to grow together. Might not ever get to championship level without another star, but theres a lot of young talent there to build around. average age under 24.

Considering their cap space and ability to add a max player, they could be a contender within 2 years.

[Killakobe81]

Great player ...not even gonna argue with Mid but overreacting to one game is unwise

[Pelicans78]

Why da fuck couldn't this harden show up in the finals? Happy for him excelling though.

Because he was matched up against Lebron for the most part.

[Richie]

Great player ...not even gonna argue with Mid but overreacting to one game is unwise

To be fair, this isn't Hardens first big game this year. Now he's a #1 option he is showing how good he can be.

[irishock]

Kobe didn't die, did he?

[HI-FI]

happy that harden has been given the chance and showing what he's worth. I started to hate on him once the THunderrefs became Stern's newest money making operation, but the truth is he can flat out play.

I think the best thing about him being traded is it ends the myth of Sam Presti as wunderkind genius. He's smart and made some great moves, but keeping Chimpbrook over Harden was a glorious mistake.

[Venti Quattro]

god damn he went balls deep on oklahoma city.

[Cry Havoc]

Kobe didn't die, did he?

Harden plays some defense.

[irishock]

Harden plays some defense.

True, but not as good defensively as he was in his rookie year.

[jesterbobman]

His play isn't actually too far from what was expected. On the season, his usage has shot up, and his TS% has decreased a bit, which is the normal relationship.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html


2011-12 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01/gamelog/2012/)
22
OKC (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/OKC/2012.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2012.html)
SG
62
1946
21.1
.660

.582
1.9
12.2
7.4
19.3
1.6
0.6
14.8
21.6

125
105
7.5
1.8
9.3
.230


2012-13 (http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01/gamelog/2013/)
23
HOU (http://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/HOU/2013.html)
NBA (http://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_2013.html)
SG
53
2026
23.3
.600

.505
2.8
11.3
7.1
25.0
2.4
0.9
14.8
29.2

116
107
6.8
1.7
8.5
.201




He's more valuable to Houston than he would be to OKC(Higher usage), and the Thunder are still really good without him, and are roughly as good as last year. But Durant has gotten better, so being as good indicates the loss of taking on Martin. This years Thunder with Harden instead of Martin would legitimately scare me.

[lil_penny]

I was wrong bout dat man, dudes been a monster

[Latarian Milton]

nigga went timothy mcveigh mode against them OKC tonight tbh

[midnightpulp]

Great player ...not even gonna argue with Mid but overreacting to one game is unwise

1 game? Harden has been on fire the last month.

[Mayhem321]

WCzjod0_iZA

Kevin Durant wouldn't take this shot for stat padding reasons... :rollin

[TDMVPDPOY]

whats his efficiency compared to the clowns of okc with the same amount of touches?

[noob cake]

Harden: 46 pts on 19 shots, 95% ture shooting

Chimpbrook: 28 pts on 20 shots

[99 Problems]

46. Sorry Lakers you not getting 8th.

[racm]

happy that harden has been given the chance and showing what he's worth. I started to hate on him once the THunderrefs became Stern's newest money making operation, but the truth is he can flat out play.

I think the best thing about him being traded is it ends the myth of Sam Presti as wunderkind genius. He's smart and made some great moves, but keeping Chimpbrook over Harden was a glorious mistake.

So was trading for Porkins.

[GuerillaBlack]

Still don't know why they didn't amnesty Perkins. Small market can't pay all thaty probably

[TIMMYtoZO]

:lol OKC fucked up with this trade. This has been a terrible weak for the meth heads. Miami assfucks them in their house then Harden puts up a career high on them.

:lol OKC

[TDMVPDPOY]

Still don't know why they didn't amnesty Perkins. Small market can't pay all thaty probably

they needed the big lineup just in case they face either grizz, clippers or lakers...all have big frontline...

[racm]

:lol OKC fucked up with this trade. This has been a terrible weak for the meth heads. Miami assfucks them in their house then Harden puts up a career high on them.

:lol OKC
Contenders don't lose 3 straight.

[Venti Quattro]

Contenders don't lose 3 straight.

in the playoffs.

[Brunodf]

in the playoffs.
:lol

[scanry]

in the playoffs.

In the meantime, the Spurs are laughing all the way with their reg season 3 peat to the bank.

[Venti Quattro]

In the meantime, the Spurs are laughing all the way with their reg season 3 peat to the bank.

This does not pertain to the Spurs only, if you think I was slighting them. A number of championship teams struggled along the way before they found the championship touch.

[Killakobe81]

1 game? Harden has been on fire the last month.

I get that but you posted this tonight. I have no problem with the premise ... But I also don't think he is all that great defensively Wade has picked up his play the last month.

[baseline bum]

in the playoffs.

http://stream1.gifsoup.com/webroot/animatedgifs/589434_o.gif
























































































































oh wait :depressed

[spurraider21]

Love the way he plays. Its almost always a layup or a 3 pointer from him. Very efficient. His FG% isn't spectacular (45.8%) but its very respectable for a guy carrying the load the way he is. He's shooting well over 50% on his 2 point attempts, and gets to the line over 10 times a game, and not in BS Durant fashion. He attacks the rim more aggressively than Manu tbh. While he isn't an elite defender, he does come up with 2 steals per game which puts him top 6 in the league there. Also a very willing passer. Only knock on him would be turnovers, but on a team with a pace as fast as Houston, and considering its his first year truly putting a team on his back, its not exactly something you can knock him for.

His man to man defense, though not what it was before (he exerts way more energy on offense than he had to on a team with Westbrick and Durant), is still solid. I still have visions of him defending Kobe pretty darn well in last year's playoffs.

[Mugen]

Definitely in the West, but Wade's been coasting tbh.

Should be unquestionably the best in the league by next season tho.

[spurraider21]

How awesome would it be if Houston finishes #7 and Utah #8

We would wipe the floor with Utah yet again and OKC will heave to deal with the beard before taking on the Clippers

[Cry Havoc]

How awesome would it be if Houston finishes #7 and Utah #8

We would wipe the floor with Utah yet again and OKC will heave to deal with the beard before taking on the Clippers

Better yet, what if Houston took down OKC in round 1? I mean, it's not gonna happen but that may be the most hilarious story in the history of the NBA*.







*Lakers this year notwithstanding.

[spurraider21]

Better yet, what if Houston took down OKC in round 1? I mean, it's not gonna happen but that may be the most hilarious story in the history of the NBA*.







*Lakers this year notwithstanding.

I was trying not to get ahead of myself, but yeah that would be a smack to the face of all the "they don't need Harden" people. Would also be a lesson for people that like athletes like Westbrick over ballers like Harden.




:lol lakers

[Cry Havoc]

I was trying not to get ahead of myself, but yeah that would be a smack to the face of all the "they don't need Harden" people. Would also be a lesson for people that like athletes like Westbrick over ballers like Harden.




:lol lakers

That's already in place. If the Thunder don't at LEAST make the Finals this year, it's going to hurt their legitimacy behind dealing Harden. If they lose because of Westbrook, it will double/triple the doubters.

They're in a no win spot right now unless they win the title this year, OR lose in 6-7 to Miami with Refsbrook playing well all series.

[Clipper Nation]

Better yet, what if Houston took down OKC in round 1? I mean, it's not gonna happen
I could see Houston being the '07 Warriors to the Thunderefs' '07 Mavs, tbh....

[racm]

Houston has to get production from Lin and Parsons though to take two games though. And I doubt they win 1 in OKC.

[spurraider21]

Houston has to get production from Lin and Parsons though to take two games though. And I doubt they win 1 in OKC.

it would be a heck of an entertaining series anyway. a lot of scoring

[Cry Havoc]

Houston has to get production from Lin and Parsons though to take two games though. And I doubt they win 1 in OKC.

If they were ahead at all in the fourth quarter, I'd be willing to be Lin and Harden would both be assigned 7 fouls. On one play. Just to be sure that they wouldn't be able to stay in.

[Calispursfan11]

LOL at the overreaction by Midnight Pulp tbh... We're talking about a 7-8 playoff seed. If he was the greatest SG at the moment, his team would be a couple slots higher just based on that fact alone. But the sun shines even on a dog's a$$ every once in awhile so this explosion was bound to happen. Volume chucking will periodically result in a high scoring and ostensibly effecient night every so often. Big whoop.

[Calispursfan11]

Btw, Kobe's multiple blocks on Lebron were much more impressive tbh

[TheRealCB]

I know a certain top 3 SG of all time that couldn't take his team in the playoffs in his prime.A player can't do it all himself,you're being harsh on Harden.

[Calispursfan11]

I know a certain top 3 SG of all time that couldn't take his team in the playoffs in his prime.A player can't do it all himself,you're being harsh on Harden.

"Leave Harden alone! Whaaaaaa!"

[TheRealCB]

^Now you're just being retarded tbh.

[Calispursfan11]

^Now you're just being retarded tbh.

LOL, so you are a fan of overreaction threads? I mean, I don't know if you were around when Tony Delk scored 50 in a game, but that stuff happens. That output did not make Tony Delk a top 10 or even 20 guard. Harden goes off every once in awhile but come on. Until his performance contributes to raising his team from the basement (with an already great supporting cast i.e. Lin), I am not going to be impressed.

[djohn2oo8]

LOL, so you are a fan of overreaction threads? I mean, I don't know if you were around when Tony Delk scored 50 in a game, but that stuff happens. That output did not make Tony Delk a top 10 or even 20 guard. Harden goes off every once in awhile but come on. Until his performance contributes to raising his team from the basement (with an already great supporting cast i.e. Lin), I am not going to be impressed.

You have to be a real fucking retard if you think Harden has a great supporting cast. Harden doesn't just "go off once in a while", he does it every game. Lin is the most inconsistent player on the team. He's the one that has good games every once in a while. And who is the great supporting cast? He has no legit number 2 option or star, no legit power forward, and an offensively challenged center.

[djohn2oo8]

LOL at the overreaction by Midnight Pulp tbh... We're talking about a 7-8 playoff seed. If he was the greatest SG at the moment, his team would be a couple slots higher just based on that fact alone. But the sun shines even on a dog's a$$ every once in awhile so this explosion was bound to happen. Volume chucking will periodically result in a high scoring and ostensibly effecient night every so often. Big whoop.
The Rockets would be in top 5 picks without Harden.

Btw, Kobe's multiple blocks on Lebron were much more impressive tbh

I hope you're trolling.

[OKC]

You have to be a real fucking retard if you think Harden has a great supporting cast. Harden doesn't just "go off once in a while", he does it every game.

No he doesn't. Prior to last night, Harden was shooting 27% from the field this year against OKC. They basically had his head in the toilet the entire first 2 games. He was 3-16 in the first game and had SEVEN of his shots blocked. Having said that, he's really, really good.

[djohn2oo8]

No he doesn't. Prior to last night, Harden was shooting 27% from the field this year against OKC. They basically had his head in the toilet the entire first 2 games. He was 3-16 in the first game and had SEVEN of his shots blocked. Having said that, he's really, really good.

I was talking about for the season.

[OKC]

I remember when he came to OKC out of college the report on him was that he was a court savvy player, but lacking in some physical aspects, including athleticism. Seems the concensus was that he was NBA ready, but his ceiling wasn't real high. Never saw him turning into this type of player.

[Kidd K]

I think Dwayne Wade is still better, but James Harden has surpassed Kobe Bryant imo due to Kobe's decline. Harden's not as good as Kobe was, but he's better than Kobe is now.

Like I said when the trade happened, the Rockets fuckin stole this guy. Told y'all Harden was worth a max deal. He was a max player just waiting to get enough offensive touches to show it. Harden is, and was better than Westbrook.

Funny thing is, Wade is 31 and the decline is setting in. It's very possible Harden will be the "without much argument" best SG in the NBA by as early as next season. If he lights it up for the rest of the season and gets to the second round over say, his former team the Thunder. . .Harden will surpass Wade as best SG even this year.

Rockets fans really got themselves a great player to watch for the forseeable future. Thunder fucked up bigtime. All over not wanting to pay an extra 1m a year. Sad.

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

LOL, so you are a fan of overreaction threads? I mean, I don't know if you were around when Tony Delk scored 50 in a game, but that stuff happens. That output did not make Tony Delk a top 10 or even 20 guard. Harden goes off every once in awhile but come on. Until his performance contributes to raising his team from the basement (with an already great supporting cast i.e. Lin), I am not going to be impressed.

LOL this is a more retarded take than the average TDMVPDPOY post :lol well done.

[DUNCANownsKOBE]

^:lol seriously his post made no sense. The Rockets are on track to make the playoffs for the first time since 2009 and that's completely due to Harden and last I checked Tony Delk never averaged 26 PPG for a season. He's clearly helping his team win and :lol @ "great" supporting cast. Lin, Parsons and Asik are all good players but they're all complementary players.

[resistanze]

LMAO @ Tony Delk

Just a terrible overall take.

[JamStone]

I'd probably agree, but I also think quality SGs are in short supply in today's NBA. There used to be a wealth of talent at SG in the late 90s, early 2000s. Kobe, VC, Iverson, T-Mac. Ray Allen. Even to a lesser extent, guys like Allan Houston, Sprewell, Finley, Hamilton. Even if they weren't great, great players, there were quality players and quality depth at SG across the league. After the main three of Harden, Wade, and Kobe, and maybe other aging guys like Joe Johnson and Ginobili, who are the next best group of younger SGs? Afflalo? Klay Thompson? Brandon Roy's knees exploded. Tyreke Evans doesn't seem to want to be that next young guy. DeMar DeRozan? Evan Turner?

Look at some of the starting SGs on some of the better teams in the league. Two teams, Knicks and Clippers, start aging former PGs in Kidd and Billups at SG. Couple other teams, OKC and Memphis, start defensive specialists in Sefolosha and Tony Allen.

The shooting guard position has regressed over the past decade. When the SG position used to be a glorified position since the Jordan days, it has shifted to SF with the LeBron and Durants. The promising young wing players in the league are now taller and longer. Guys like Paul George and Batum and Gallinari. And young PGs are more and more becoming primary scorers, like Rose and Westbrook and Kyrie and John Wall. It's making the SG position less important. That's why good teams can fill that starting position and most of the minutes at SG with defensive specialists or just spot up shooters. The SG position in today's NBA is just not as impressive as it used to be.

And while Harden might be and probably is the best SG in today's NBA while Kobe is getting deeper into the twilight of his career, it is interesting to note that across the board, the two players have extremely similar if not near identical statistics on the season.

[Calispursfan11]

Lin is great. It is Djohn who is the retard and racist if he doesn't appreciate what that ricerocket racer has done for his team and the NBA. Don't forget he also has Parsons and Asik, way above average players, and potential all stars for years to come. Truth.

[Calispursfan11]

LMAO @ Tony Delk

Just a terrible overall take.

They used to call Delk "Buckets" cause he could score like butter. That didn't make him the best SG in the league tho. Same with Harden. One 46 point revenge splooge against his old team doesn't make him Kobe or even Manu tbh... He needs to win something first. He's not even close this year.

[TheRealCB]

:lmao Holy shit who is this guy?

[Calispursfan11]

:lmao Holy shit who is this guy?

I am the bringer of truth to the unbelievers tbh. Get used to it.

[wanggi]

Damn, I tought Harden would be traded to Phoenix.

azcentral.com said that Harden's willing to be a Sun.

[Findog]

Hard to believe the Thunder traded away James Harden so they could keep both Perkins and Ibaka. They only need one of those guys, mainly Ibaka.

[Raven]

i'd still take wade who is a far better defender, but harden is awesome.

[Asif Ali Zardari]

Harden is a great player, but only haters would take him ahead of Kobe:lol

Considering injuries, Kobe has had a worse supporting cast than Harden this year. They play the same role on their teams, but Kobe is a proven playoff legend. Harden has to prove himself in big games first.

I can only imagine what Kobe could do if refs treated him like they treat Harden too.

[024]

harden is already the best SG in the league. in the past few years it had been kobe, wade, and roy at the top. kobe and wade are too old now and roy suffered the blazers' curse. joe johnson and ginobili never really cracked the top 3. harden will remain the best SG for some time, no one else is really in the pipeline. the point guard spot is the future.

[HarlemHeat37]

harden is already the best SG in the league. in the past few years it had been kobe, wade, and roy at the top. kobe and wade are too old now and roy suffered the blazers' curse. joe johnson and ginobili never really cracked the top 3. harden will remain the best SG for some time, no one else is really in the pipeline. the point guard spot is the future.

I agree with your overall post, but :lol at your last sentence b..

Point guards aren't the future of shit, tbh..

Lebron has another 4-5 years on top, and Durant will also be at the top once puberty has finished with him..

[djohn2oo8]

Harden is a great player, but only haters would take him ahead of Kobe:lol

Considering injuries, Kobe has had a worse supporting cast than Harden this year. They play the same role on their teams, but Kobe is a proven playoff legend. Harden has to prove himself in big games first.

I can only imagine what Kobe could do if refs treated him like they treat Harden too.

Kobe: Howard, Nash, Gasol, Artest
Harden: Lin, Parsons

:lmao :lmao :lmao

[HarlemHeat37]

Does anybody have the link to the NBA Forum Harden trade thread?..

I want to bump the posts from 75% of the posters here:lol..

[djohn2oo8]

Does anybody have the link to the NBA Forum Harden trade thread?..

I want to bump the posts from 75% of the posters here:lol..

http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=190765&page=4

[HarlemHeat37]

:lol Fuck, I BODIED niggas in that thread, par/course, tbh..

Harlem also right about that nigga Asik too, tbh..

[JamStone]

Kobe: Howard, Nash, Gasol, Artest
Harden: Lin, Parsons

:lmao :lmao :lmao

He did say "considering injuries." It still might not be true, but it's not really laughable.

Gasol, Nash, Dwight Howard have missed a combined 49 games and even when Howard and Gasol have played, they have often been hurt and much worse than 100%.

Parsons, Asik, and Lin have missed a combined 1 game.

And once you get beyond the top 3 supporting cast players (Gasol, Nash, Dwight v. Lin, Parsons, Asik) on each team, Houston might have better quality depth on the roster. That's arguable too. But seeing how the top 3 after Kobe have been injured so much, that might make the difference. Lakers also lost Jordan Hill on the season and Steve Blake for about 25 games. Those are two additional rotation guys. You can still argue that Kobe's supporting cast is better. But if you do consider injuries, there's at least a debate about it.

[noob cake]

Hargoat in Feb

30.4 PPG/7.6 RPG/7.3 APG on 56.5% FG, 55.8% 3pt FG, 84.3% FT

[024]

I agree with your overall post, but :lol at your last sentence b..

Point guards aren't the future of shit, tbh..

Lebron has another 4-5 years on top, and Durant will also be at the top once puberty has finished with him..
what? lebron and durant are only two players. young point guards are more prevalent than young SFs. lebron and durant hold the top spots but there are 28 other teams. chris paul, iriving, lillard, parker, rose, westbrook, curry, and jennings are all high potential players. then you have the second tier point guards like lawson, wall, walker/sessions, and holiday who are still at least in the top 2 options of their team. coaches are constructing their teams around athletic scoring point guards. teams are becoming more point guard centric.

other than carmelo and galinari, there are significantly less prospects at SF to build around. maybe gay and paul george. then it dramatically drops off to deng and granger. it doesn't matter if lebron and durant are the top 2 in the league, point guard focused teams are here to stay.

[HarlemHeat37]

what? lebron and durant are only two players. young point guards are more prevalent than young SFs. lebron and durant hold the top spots but there are 28 other teams. chris paul, iriving, lillard, parker, rose, westbrook, curry, and jennings are all high potential players. then you have the second tier point guards like lawson, wall, walker/sessions, and holiday who are still at least in the top 2 options of their team. coaches are constructing their teams around athletic scoring point guards. teams are becoming more point guard centric.

other than carmelo and galinari, there are significantly less prospects at SF to build around. maybe gay and paul george. then it dramatically drops off to deng and granger. it doesn't matter if lebron and durant are the top 2 in the league, point guard focused teams are here to stay.

Sure, but those teams aren't going to win shit, as history has shown us..

Point guard-led teams just don't win..

Derrick Rose was horrible in the playoffs 2 years ago, when the Bulls were picked by many to win the title and challenge Miami..Tony Parker was shut down against OKC and against Memphis the year prior..Westbrook struggled against both Miami and San Antonio last year..Chris Paul hasn't done anything noteworthy in his playoff career..

Teams that build around PGs are going to fail, eventually NBA people will realize this IMO..well, maybe not, but they're still going to fail..

[Ari Gold]

http://i.minus.com/ibecqVjuVSr9IH.gif

[Budkin]

Why da fuck couldn't this harden show up in the finals? Happy for him excelling though.

He was just awful, I didn't get it after he eviscerated the Spurs.

[Budkin]

nigga went timothy mcveigh mode against them OKC tonight tbh

I know I shouldn't have laughed but that was funny.

[D-Wade]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8I4Is0YT5RQ

Goddamn. I know I know, only one game but Harden's been doing solid work all season. Who knows what this guy's ceiling is.

I'll put it this way -- very few players can both thrive as a 6th man and a number one. Outside of his finals choke against us, Harden's resume as a 6th man is pretty much unblemished. We've seen hyped bench players come and go. When they become the number one option they usually crumble. Harden has done the opposite.

If you were to ask the question which of the old OKC big 3 would you have as a number one option:

KD >> Harden >>>>>>> Westbrook.

Harden still isn't better than post-prime Wade and Kobe though... yet.

[ambchang]

What's really impressive is that Hardens' per 36 numbers have looked better this year than last despite playing more minutes when most players usually go the other way. His win share per 48 has dropped from .23 to .21 while his total win share has gone from 9.3 down to 9.1, but that is mostly due to him being on a lesser team this year.

The only significant decrease in his numbers are FG% drop (expected), and turnover per 36 minutes. The guy is taking his opportunity to shine as the main guy.

[The Third Man]

I am the bringer of truth to the unbelievers tbh. Get used to it.

You are 20 kinds of stupid. Stop posting.

[sook]

LOL at the overreaction by Midnight Pulp tbh... We're talking about a 7-8 playoff seed. If he was the greatest SG at the moment, his team would be a couple slots higher just based on that fact alone. But the sun shines even on a dog's a$$ every once in awhile so this explosion was bound to happen. Volume chucking will periodically result in a high scoring and ostensibly effecient night every so often. Big whoop.
You have the IQ of a tomato. Have you watched him this season? He has had insanely efficient games like this all season, down the stretch he hit every one of his 7 straight clutch shots. Have you seen our lineup btw, there is a reason we were projected to win only 33 games this season, and are on pace to win 50+, and we were missing BOTH our power forwards this game. That is a huge hole and the reason nobody expected to win. That game was great last night because it was FUN as hell, that is all, but you discrediting Harden like that is a retard move.

[TDMVPDPOY]

his havin a better season then 05-06 rapists

[sook]

Prime wade and Kobe are just on a different level, to be included there you need to have some credentials on your resume, which I'm sure he'll do since he is only 23.
It still seems like taboo to put him ahead of Kobe but Kobe has been in the league so long and has put so much wear and tear over the years that his drop is really noticeable, he gets beat off the dribble a lot easier and doesn't finish as well. Wade is doing great and I think people underrate him a lot...

[LkrFan]

Harden is the flavor of the month and I like his game, but I wouldn't crown him best SG in the WC. This is a knee jerk reaction by the OP who is openly biased towards Kobe all things Lakers. I'll tab him 2nd best though - he is much better then Wade.

If he continues to improve, Harden may be 1st team all NBA. Next year that is. He's that good.

[midnightpulp]

Harden is the flavor of the month and I like his game, but I wouldn't crown him best SG in the WC. This is a knee jerk reaction by the OP who is openly biased towards Kobe all things Lakers. I'll tab him 2nd best though - he is much better then Wade.

If he continues to improve, Harden may be 1st team all NBA. Next year that is. He's that good.

:lol Of course you wouldn't.

And despite what you might think, I'm not biased. You didn't see this thread from me when Kobe was on fire for the first quarter of the season. But for the last month or so, Harden has been playing much, much better than Kobe. He now has a higher PER, averages the same amount of points and assists, and isn't shooting 1-34 from downtown over his last 15 games.

He's also led a team with less talent to a better record thus far.

[Asif Ali Zardari]

Best SG in the NBA, yet Kobe will deservedly make all-NBA first team again.:lol The real NBA analysts and coaches know what they're talking about.

Kobe has played every role on a dysfunctional team that has been decimated by injuries. Call me when Harden leads a team to a playoff win and doesn't choke in the Finals.

[LkrFan]

:lol Of course you wouldn't.

And despite what you might think, I'm not biased. You didn't see this thread from me when Kobe was on fire for the first quarter of the season. But for the last month or so, Harden has been playing much, much better than Kobe. He now has a higher PER, averages the same amount of points and assists, and isn't shooting 1-34 from downtown over his last 15 games.

He's also led a team with less talent to a better record thus far.
Of c:lolurse not - you hate Kobe.

The Lakers aren't healthy (collectively), so even though (on paper) we have an awesome team I've resigned to the fact that we are going to struggle until we are 100% again. Although Harden is thriving as #1 with less talent, you need to compare games missed by key players of both squads to put it into proper context. We've missed Pau, JHill, and Blake for a ton of games. They are key rotational players.

"Kobe Johnson" is the reason why his scoring average dipped to 26.6 ppg. He's also taken it upon himself to get Howard going - which has sacrifed some of his scoring. The Lakers have benefitted for the most part even though they are feasting on non-contenders. In contrast, Harden doesn't have to worry about getting Asik going -or anyone else for that reason. He has a neon green light to let his jumpers fly - at will.

Kobe is still the best scorer in the game when he wants to be. As he has seen, our team is benefitting from him actively looking for his teammates.

[midnightpulp]

Best SG in the NBA, yet Kobe will deservedly make all-NBA first team again.:lol The real NBA analysts and coaches know what they're talking about.

Kobe has played every role on a dysfunctional team that has been decimated by injuries. Call me when Harden leads a team to a playoff win and doesn't choke in the Finals.

We're talking about the season up until this point, you dumbfuck. Playoff success, or lack there of, doesn't figure into the equation.

[Asif Ali Zardari]

Of c:lolurse not - you hate Kobe.

The Lakers aren't healthy (collectively), so even though (on paper) we have an awesome team I've resigned to the fact that we are going to struggle until we are 100% again. Although Harden is thriving as #1 with less talent, you need to compare games missed by key players of both squads to put it into proper context. We've missed Pau, JHill, and Blake for a ton of games. They are key rotational players.

"Kobe Johnson" is the reason why his scoring average dipped to 26.6 ppg. He's also taken it upon himself to get Howard going - which has sacrifed some of his scoring. The Lakers have benefitted for the most part even though they are feasting on non-contenders. In contrar, Harden doesn't have to worry about getting Asik going. He has a neon green light to let his jumpers fly - at will.

Kobe is still the best scorer in the game when he wants to be. As he has seen, our team is benefitting from him actively looking for his teammates.

Great post, I couldn't have said it better myself.

[midnightpulp]

Of c:lolurse not - you hate Kobe.

The Lakers aren't healthy (collectively), so even though (on paper) we have an awesome team I've resigned to the fact that we are going to struggle until we are 100% again. Although Harden is thriving as #1 with less talent, you need to compare games missed by key players of both squads to put it into proper context. We've missed Pau, JHill, and Blake for a ton of games. They are key rotational players.

"Kobe Johnson" is the reason why his scoring average dipped to 26.6 ppg. He's also taken it upon himself to get Howard going - which has sacrifed some of his scoring. The Lakers have benefitted for the most part even though they are feasting on non-contenders. In contrast, Harden doesn't have to worry about getting Asik going -or anyone else for that reason. He has a neon green light to let his jumpers fly - at will.

Kobe is still the best scorer in the game when he wants to be. As he has seen, our team is benefitting from him actively looking for his teammates.

Lol at using Jordan Hill's injury as an excuse when his injury wound being something of a blessing in disguise, since Clark is a much better fit for the Mike D'Antoni Lakers. And lol at using Steve Blake's injury as an excuse. The Lakers were just shopping his ass for a 2nd round pick, and when he went down, you all celebrated and proclaimed, "Addition by subtraction!" Gasol is really the only excuse you have in this regard, and he's become a pariah among Laker fans. End of the day, and despite the injuries the Lakers have suffered, Kobe has still played more games with a more talented supporting cast than Harden. Not Harden's fault the dipshit Lakers can't "figure it out."

And the emergence of "Kobe Johnson" just proves my point. Harden doesn't have the luxury of turning into a pass first player because the Rockets need every point they can get from him. Kobe can do it precisely because he has such a talented supporting cast.

Furthermore, Kobe Johnson isn't even all that effective, since he's just as likely to turn the ball over as he is to get a teammate involved. The reason for the Lakers' recent "success" has little to do with that and more to do with the fact they're playing awful teams.

[midnightpulp]

And right on cue, mah nigga hits back-to-back 3s to push the lead back up to 8 going into the 4th.

Harden just made twice as many 3s in 30 seconds as Kobe has made in the last 15 games :lol

[LkrFan]

Lol at using Jordan Hill's injury as an excuse when his injury wound being something of a blessing in disguise, since Clark is a much better fit for the Mike D'Antoni Lakers. And lol at using Steve Blake's injury as an excuse. The Lakers were just shopping his ass for a 2nd round pick, and when he went down, you all celebrated and proclaimed, "Addition by subtraction!" Gasol is really the only excuse you have in this regard, and he's become a pariah among Laker fans. End of the day, and despite the injuries the Lakers have suffered, Kobe has still played more games with a more talented supporting cast than Harden. Not Harden's fault the dipshit Lakers can't "figure it out."

And the emergence of "Kobe Johnson" just proves my point. Harden doesn't have the luxury of turning into a pass first player because the Rockets need every point they can get from him. Kobe can do it precisely because he has such a talented supporting cast.

Furthermore, Kobe Johnson isn't even all that effective, since he's just as likely to turn the ball over as he is to get a teammate involved. The reason for the Lakers' recent "success" has little to do with that and more to do with the fact they're playing awful teams.
JHill was a big part of our bench. He could back up Pau or Howard interchangably. Considering we went stretches with having to play TOSB Jamison instead of 25 year old 6'10" 240lb Hill - with mixed results - mostly bad, is significant. Agreed about Clark. He's been such a pleasant surprise for us. He hustles, cuts, and rebounds for us and we need that. Disagree with you on Blake. When Blake (37 games missed with abdominal injury) and Nash (24 games missed with fractured leg) both went down, we had to rely on Darius Morris - who started a whopping 17 games for us. Simply put Blake is a scrub, but Blake >>> Morris.

Pau's loss is a blessing in disguise. Clark is emerging, and Pau is resting/healing. When he comes back he'll anchor our 2nd unit at center. I just hope he comes back in time to help us eke into the playoffs. Despite this disaster of a season, we're only 3.5 games out of the 8th spot - with 27 more games to play.

[LkrFan]

And right on cue, mah nigga hits back-to-back 3s to push the lead back up to 8 going into the 4th.

Harden just made twice as many 3s in 30 seconds as Kobe has made in the last 15 games :lol:lol

[Clipper Nation]

Harden just made twice as many 3s in 30 seconds as Kobe has made in the last 15 games :lol

:lmao

[Calispursfan11]

You are 20 kinds of stupid. Stop posting.

I am a tried and true GNSF. Who the F&%$ are you tbh?

[djohn2oo8]

Good win.

[monosylab1k]

And right on cue, mah nigga hits back-to-back 3s to push the lead back up to 8 going into the 4th.

Harden just made twice as many 3s in 30 seconds as Kobe has made in the last 15 games :lol

:lol mid, with the "game is already in hand but still going to midcourt and setting a hard pick on an unsuspecting Patty Mills and watching him lay motionless on the ground as the buzzer goes off" goods.

[lakerhaterade]

I am a tried and true GNSF. Who the F&%$ are you tbh?

Shut up, faggot.

[Calispursfan11]

Shut up, faggot.

You again? LOL stalker! :lol

[100%duncan]

Who said he wasn't?

[LkrFan]

23 shots to get 27 points. midnightpulp - :downspin: this (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278543). Nice game from the best SG in the association. ;)

[midnightpulp]

23 shots to get 27 points. midnightpulp - :downspin: this (http://espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=400278543). Nice game from the best SG in the association. ;)

2 for 38 from three in the last 15 games. Averaging over 5 TOs per game to 8 dimes over his last 5 games. Nice stretch of games from your best SG in the association.

:downspin: that

[irishock]

Best SG in the NBA, yet Kobe will deservedly make all-NBA first team again.:lol

He's the best SG in the league but should have be a 2nd teamer at best. Paul/Parker should be the backcourt

[LkrFan]

2 for 38 from three in the last 15 games. Averaging over 5 TOs per game to 8 dimes over his last 5 games. Nice stretch of games from your best SG in the association.

:downspin: thatCherry picking again, I see.:lol I never worry about Kobe's shooting percentages. Never. Why? He misses shots that are makable for him. He's a streaky shooter. BTW, while you are joking about his 3pt stroke, who owns the NBA record for 3s in a single game? Here are a few hints: Not Bird. Not Kerr. Not the Rifleman. Not Reggie. Not Ray Allen. Not Dale Ellis. Not Thunder Dan. Not Dumars. Not MJ. You see where I'm going with this? Kobe's place in NBA history is well established son. Quit comparing him to lesser players.

[midnightpulp]

Cherry picking again, I see.:lol I never worry about Kobe's shooting percentages. Never. Why? He misses shots that are makable for him. He's a streaky shooter. BTW, while you are joking about his 3pt stroke, who owns the NBA record for 3s in a single game? Here are a few hints: Not Bird. Not Kerr. Not the Rifleman. Not Reggie. Not Ray Allen. Not Dale Ellis. Not Thunder Dan. Not Dumars. Not MJ. You see where I'm going with this? Kobe's place in NBA history is well established son. Quit comparing him to lesser players.

You're spinning so much, you're gonna drill yourself right though Japan and wind up back in the States.

[LkrFan]

You're spinning so much, you're gonna drill yourself right though Japan and wind up back in the States.
:lol - I got one mo year out here. I've had a good time, but I'm ready to be back in the good ole USA tbh.

[Vladimir Lenin]

nigga went timothy mcveigh mode against them OKC tonight tbh


Dam Latarian Milton (http://www.spurstalk.com/forums/member.php?u=21247) that is cold.

[Asif Ali Zardari]

Hey OP, are you watching the game??:lmao

[Kai]

http://i.imgur.com/y7ukhTL.png

[Kai]

http://oi49.tinypic.com/f04vn8.jpg

[djohn2oo8]

lol at Stephen A contradicting himself like usual. "Harden shouldn't be considered an MVP candidate because he's on a mediocre team in the 8th spot" ......If one player is responsible for a team making the playoffs (which is yet to be seen) then he deserves a little consideration.

[Johnny RIngo]

1. Wade
2. Harden
3. Kobe

[D-Wade]

Harden with 10 TOs tonight?!

LOL at people thinking this dude is better than Wade even now. Wade his rookie year carried his team to the 2nd round only to lose a tough series to Indy. Next year he took the mighty Pistons to a game 7 in the ECF. Year after that the ship.

[Venti Quattro]

:lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao :lmao

[Killakobe81]

LOL .. Harden in 2012 Finals mode

[midnightpulp]

We're talking about the season up until this point, you dumbfuck. Playoff success, or lack there of, doesn't figure into the equation.

I always leave myself an out :smokin

[ElNono]

I always leave myself an out :smokin

:lol

[DAF86]

Meh, just a bad game provoked by the fact of being in foul trouble. I'm sure all those step back shots he took down the stretch were in part because he didn't want to risk being called for a charge.

[Monster1776]

lol at Stephen A contradicting himself like usual. "Harden shouldn't be considered an MVP candidate because he's on a mediocre team in the 8th spot" ......If one player is responsible for a team making the playoffs (which is yet to be seen) then he deserves a little consideration.

Getting a bit ahead of yourself. He's unarguably one of the best SG in the league right now; but he still makes way too many questionable decisions to be considered THE best. Sucks we had to let him go.

[sook]

Getting a bit ahead of yourself. He's unarguably one of the best SG in the league right now; but he still makes way too many questionable decisions to be considered THE best. Sucks we had to let him go.

He has been playing like shit but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on SOME things. He is 23, and he looks like he is really really fatigued and worn out from this season.

That being said I can't forgive the last 3 isos. Don't know if thats on Mchale or him. Got to stop though.

[sook]

Meh, just a bad game provoked by the fact of being in foul trouble. I'm sure all those step back shots he took down the stretch were in part because he didn't want to risk being called for a charge.

Thats actually very true, I forgot he picked up his 5th foul over a flop.

[Spurs da champs]

James Harden is complete crap against everybody but the Spurs especially in crunch time.

[djohn2oo8]

He has been playing like shit but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt on SOME things. He is 23, and he looks like he is really really fatigued and worn out from this season.

That being said I can't forgive the last 3 isos. Don't know if thats on Mchale or him. Got to stop though.

Yeah. He's not going to the eurostep like early in the season. He's not right.

[AaronY]

James Harden is another one of these polarizing players..is it just me or is the league filled with them now? Maybe it's because of all the message boards, various media outlets, twitter and shit that we hyper analyze these players or if its just generally that we have a crop of really polarizing players

[Monster1776]

James Harden is another one of these polarizing players..is it just me or is the league filled with them now? Maybe it's because of all the message boards, various media outlets, twitter and shit that we hyper analyze these players or if its just generally that we have a crop of really polarizing players

I think it's the former. Remember the Bad Boys in Detroit?

[D-Wade]

8-28 in game 1 :lmao
6-19 in game 2 :lmao

In his prime and still not better than no knees Wade and Achilles.

[Bynumite]

Straight up trash on both ends.

[Clipper Nation]

:lol Between his "Choke Paul = greatest closer since Jordan" take and his "James Harden = best SG in the league" take, this has not been a good postseason for Mid so far....

[spurraider21]

:lol Between his "Choke Paul = greatest closer since Jordan" take and his "James Harden = best SG in the league" take, this has not been a good postseason for Mid so far....
who is the best SG in the league?

[RD2191]

who is the best SG in the league?

:hatMonta Ellis

[Clipper Nation]

who is the best SG in the league?

Definitely not James "14-47" Harden.... I loathe Wade but I'd take him in an instant over Harden :lol

[Killakobe81]

LOL .. Harden in 2012 Finals mode

Oh shit I said that LAST playoffs ...

[spurraider21]

Definitely not James "14-47" Harden.... I loathe Wade but I'd take him in an instant over Harden :lol
so can i get a direct answer out of you. Are you calling D-Wade the best SG in the NBA?

[D-Wade]

http://imagizer.imageshack.us/a/img842/5140/jbwb.gif

:lmao