NBA BAll: Best slasher/ getting to the rim- James Harden, Eric Gordon or Tyreke Evans?

I really would have to go with Harden. Its one of those things, everyone and their mammas know that harden wants to go left but yet he still gets left. Its very impressive

I really would have to go with Harden. Its one of those things, everyone and their mammas know that harden wants to go left but yet he still gets left. Its very impressive

Harden seems to have mastered the EuroStep so he gets the edge for me as well.

Harden seems to have mastered the EuroStep so he gets the edge for me as well.

He’s just so crafty with the ball, great Euro-step and rarely seems rushed. Agree that Evans has the best handles of the three and certainly has the ability to be one of the best in the league at getting to the cup. Unfortunately his jumper prevents this. It has shown improvement but until teams respect his ability to hurt them from 17+ feet, they’ll sag off him and clog the lane making him a much less effective slasher.

He’s just so crafty with the ball, great Euro-step and rarely seems rushed. Agree that Evans has the best handles of the three and certainly has the ability to be one of the best in the league at getting to the cup. Unfortunately his jumper prevents this. It has shown improvement but until teams respect his ability to hurt them from 17+ feet, they’ll sag off him and clog the lane making him a much less effective slasher.

I would give it to Harden.

Last seasons FTA per game:

Harden 10.2
Gordon 5.3
Evans 4.2

Finish at the Rim %

Harden 63%
Gordon 54.2%
Evans 63.2%

If Harden nearly always goes left and everyone knows he nearly always goes left, then to lead the NBA in FTA’s means he must be the best at getting to the rim. He also finishes at the rim better than Gordon and as well as Tyreke.

Harden might not be as flashy getting there, but he is more effective doing it.

I would give it to Harden.

Last seasons FTA per game:

Harden 10.2
Gordon 5.3
Evans 4.2

Finish at the Rim %

Harden 63%
Gordon 54.2%
Evans 63.2%

If Harden nearly always goes left and everyone knows he nearly always goes left, then to lead the NBA in FTA’s means he must be the best at getting to the rim. He also finishes at the rim better than Gordon and as well as Tyreke.

Harden might not be as flashy getting there, but he is more effective doing it.

Evans is just as right-hand dominant as Harden is left.

I’ll take Harden. His game is more streamlined. He draws fouls at a much higher rate. Tyreke’s ability to draw fouls is pretty weak for a slasher because he tries to finish everything instead of just creating the contact. Harden seems to get to the rim in less dribbles and less time than a guy like Evans, who still has to play with the ball to get his man off-balance to set up his drives. Plus you have to honor Harden’s jump shot so he can just show and go, get by his man into the paint just as easily as in iso or PnR situations.

Evans is just as right-hand dominant as Harden is left.

I’ll take Harden. His game is more streamlined. He draws fouls at a much higher rate. Tyreke’s ability to draw fouls is pretty weak for a slasher because he tries to finish everything instead of just creating the contact. Harden seems to get to the rim in less dribbles and less time than a guy like Evans, who still has to play with the ball to get his man off-balance to set up his drives. Plus you have to honor Harden’s jump shot so he can just show and go, get by his man into the paint just as easily as in iso or PnR situations.

Harden is my pick. His jump shot is better than evans making defenders play him closer giving him a better first step at driving to the basket. he also gets to the free throw line more than both other guys allowing him to capitalize on more opportunities at putting points on the board for his team.

Harden is my pick. His jump shot is better than evans making defenders play him closer giving him a better first step at driving to the basket. he also gets to the free throw line more than both other guys allowing him to capitalize on more opportunities at putting points on the board for his team.

How can this be close? Harden is by far the better player between the three of them. He gets to the line more, he scores more points and I think the fact that he shoots the ball well and distributes it even better, has to be factored into the equation because that definitely impacts his ability to get to the rim. I like tyrekes ability to attack but he has a harder time because no one is afraid of him shooting the ball outside and also the teams he’s played on haven’t provided any help so defenses don’t worry as much about him driving and dishing. And Eric Gordon is shorter and not as quick as the other guys.

How can this be close? Harden is by far the better player between the three of them. He gets to the line more, he scores more points and I think the fact that he shoots the ball well and distributes it even better, has to be factored into the equation because that definitely impacts his ability to get to the rim. I like tyrekes ability to attack but he has a harder time because no one is afraid of him shooting the ball outside and also the teams he’s played on haven’t provided any help so defenses don’t worry as much about him driving and dishing. And Eric Gordon is shorter and not as quick as the other guys.

Honestly I’d go with Evans, everyone knows he can’t shoot from outside (though he is slowly improving) yet he still has the quickness, savvy, physicality and explosion to get by his defender consistently. I don’t know of another player in the league whose game depends more on his ability to get by his defender. You take the jumpshot from Harden’s and Gordon’s game and they wouldn’t be nearly as effective as Evans has been able to be…

Honestly I’d go with Evans, everyone knows he can’t shoot from outside (though he is slowly improving) yet he still has the quickness, savvy, physicality and explosion to get by his defender consistently. I don’t know of another player in the league whose game depends more on his ability to get by his defender. You take the jumpshot from Harden’s and Gordon’s game and they wouldn’t be nearly as effective as Evans has been able to be…

I honestly wouldn’t put Eric Gordon in the conversation but as far as Tyreke and Harden, I gotta to with Harden .He is so crafty and finds a way to get their with his amazing foot work. Plus you can’t play off of Harden like you can with Tyreke

I honestly wouldn’t put Eric Gordon in the conversation but as far as Tyreke and Harden, I gotta to with Harden .He is so crafty and finds a way to get their with his amazing foot work. Plus you can’t play off of Harden like you can with Tyreke

A direct comparison between the three guys’ ability to drive at the hoop. The ability to shoot the ball, which Harden and Gordon have, opens things up tremendously to get around their man, as he has to respect the jump shot. This is a huge benefit, but in the end, if you’re talking about who’s most likely to get to the rim for an easy bucket, you have to factor it in.

The answer is Harden, and it’s not even close. The fact that he gets (and makes) free throws is just icing on the cake.

Tyreke is pretty one-dimensional. Sure, if your offense needs a second PG or a wing who can get by his man just via sheer athleticism, then he’s your guy, as he’s the cheapest of the three guys. But if you need a pure playmaker, it’s Harden all the way.

For what it’s worth, Kobe (the current version) should be included in this discussion, in which case I would give the nod to Kobe, but not by as large a margin as many would think. He’s not quite the finisher he used to be, although he’s far better than average still.

A direct comparison between the three guys’ ability to drive at the hoop. The ability to shoot the ball, which Harden and Gordon have, opens things up tremendously to get around their man, as he has to respect the jump shot. This is a huge benefit, but in the end, if you’re talking about who’s most likely to get to the rim for an easy bucket, you have to factor it in.

The answer is Harden, and it’s not even close. The fact that he gets (and makes) free throws is just icing on the cake.

Tyreke is pretty one-dimensional. Sure, if your offense needs a second PG or a wing who can get by his man just via sheer athleticism, then he’s your guy, as he’s the cheapest of the three guys. But if you need a pure playmaker, it’s Harden all the way.

For what it’s worth, Kobe (the current version) should be included in this discussion, in which case I would give the nod to Kobe, but not by as large a margin as many would think. He’s not quite the finisher he used to be, although he’s far better than average still.

It’s Harden. It’s how he makes his living! He is one of the 5-6 best in the league at it:

Parker, LeBron, Westbrook, Harden, Rose, Rondo

It’s Harden. It’s how he makes his living! He is one of the 5-6 best in the league at it:

Parker, LeBron, Westbrook, Harden, Rose, Rondo

Harden is extremely crafty and can read, adjust, and adapt to any defender that is guarding him. But if we are talking strictly about who possesses the best ball-handling skills. Tyreke is by far the best ball handler, because he can utilize a variety of great dribble moves. He also can utilize great body control, speed, quickness, and agility. He can also utilize every angle available and most importantly he can utilize great anticipation skills when handling the ball against a great defender ( Anticipation Skills Meaning – A source of understanding that can only come from experience. Which gives you a natural sense of timing that allows you to predict what is going to happen next and that allows you to make plays before the defensive or offensive player can adjust )

Harden is extremely crafty and can read, adjust, and adapt to any defender that is guarding him. But if we are talking strictly about who possesses the best ball-handling skills. Tyreke is by far the best ball handler, because he can utilize a variety of great dribble moves. He also can utilize great body control, speed, quickness, and agility. He can also utilize every angle available and most importantly he can utilize great anticipation skills when handling the ball against a great defender ( Anticipation Skills Meaning – A source of understanding that can only come from experience. Which gives you a natural sense of timing that allows you to predict what is going to happen next and that allows you to make plays before the defensive or offensive player can adjust )

Does eric gordon belong in this conversation? I would put someone like Westbrook instead of him. Still i think it’s too close to call between harden and Evans.

Does eric gordon belong in this conversation? I would put someone like Westbrook instead of him. Still i think it’s too close to call between harden and Evans.