[r377Participant]

Padded stats, just plays that iso-ball and doesn’t get his teammates involved. Horrible on defence (does he even try?) and is not a leader. Heaps of turnovers. The Rockets have a very good team, they are under 500 and will struggle to make the playoffs.

Sure he is great in 2k on xbox or on your Yahoo Fantasy team, but is he actually any good in real life where team chemistry is important ? He is not a leader, I think he really needs to be a second or third option….

Forcing shots at 43% and 35% 3’s is not elite. He is a good shooter, just needs better shot selection. He was shooting 49% and 39% as the third option in OKC.

He is so ball dominant, which PG could actually play well with him ?

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Chalmers, Cole and Delly just to name a few. These guys are used to play with a guy like Lebron/Wade who are also ball dominant guys.

[ZouldiersParticipant]

 Chalmers, Cole and Delly just to name a few. These guys are used to play with a guy like Lebron/Wade who are also ball dominant guys.

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 Between Harden’s iso play and teams intentionally fouling Dwight Howard, the Rockets are a hard team to watch.  It must be frustrating to play with Harden when he gives no effort defensively and then on offense his teammates stand around while he dribbles until he decides to shoot.  

[MopgrassParticipant]

I think all of Harden and Howard’s getting to the line is what makes Rocket games so unbearably boring. They just need to add Lou Williams and they’ll never need a FG attempt. Add Harden’s constant complaining about fouls that weren’t fouls or when he jumps into a player for the 1,000th time and got the foul call or Dwight Howard’s awkward smile after yet another opponent makes it really clear that they hate Howard… and you have some really frustrating basketball. I catch my team every game, but if they play Houston, I might skip it. 

[MopgrassParticipant]

I think all of Harden and Howard’s getting to the line is what makes Rocket games so unbearably boring. They just need to add Lou Williams and they’ll never need a FG attempt. Add Harden’s constant complaining about fouls that weren’t fouls or when he jumps into a player for the 1,000th time and got the foul call or Dwight Howard’s awkward smile after yet another opponent makes it really clear that they hate Howard… and you have some really frustrating basketball. I catch my team every game, but if they play Houston, I might skip it. 

[BleedGreen808Participant]

 Between Harden’s iso play and teams intentionally fouling Dwight Howard, the Rockets are a hard team to watch.  It must be frustrating to play with Harden when he gives no effort defensively and then on offense his teammates stand around while he dribbles until he decides to shoot.  

[connybucketsParticipant]

He is also a huge off court problem. He can’t agree with anybody and Daryl Morey just caters to his every need 

[connybucketsParticipant]

He is also a huge off court problem. He can’t agree with anybody and Daryl Morey just caters to his every need 

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I think it’s kind of premature to say that. Remember that this is the same guy that carried Houston to the 2nd best record in the west and the conference finals last season so it has been proven that you can win with him as your best player. He came into this season not in the best shape and got off to a terrible start, but overall he has still had a pretty solid year and is easily still among the 10 best players in the league. I don’t think you can put Houston’s struggles this year entirely on him, although he definitely deserves some of the blame. I did think Houston somewhat overachieved last season so maybe the expectations were a bit too high coming into this year.

I will say though that he kind of seemed to get a big ego somewhere along the way. He definitely acts the part of a superstar and prima Donna and it tends to rub a lot of people the wrong way. I think he still has a lot to learn in terms of leadership but I wouldn’t go as far as to label him a cancer yet.

[Dazzling Dunks and Basketball BloopersParticipant]

 I think it’s kind of premature to say that. Remember that this is the same guy that carried Houston to the 2nd best record in the west and the conference finals last season so it has been proven that you can win with him as your best player. He came into this season not in the best shape and got off to a terrible start, but overall he has still had a pretty solid year and is easily still among the 10 best players in the league. I don’t think you can put Houston’s struggles this year entirely on him, although he definitely deserves some of the blame. I did think Houston somewhat overachieved last season so maybe the expectations were a bit too high coming into this year.

I will say though that he kind of seemed to get a big ego somewhere along the way. He definitely acts the part of a superstar and prima Donna and it tends to rub a lot of people the wrong way. I think he still has a lot to learn in terms of leadership but I wouldn’t go as far as to label him a cancer yet.

[losnopesosParticipant]

Cancer?  Maybe not cancer, he at least puts some butts in the seats.  I’d say more like the flu, or maybe that shoulder injury that never quite hurts, but never quite healed.  

He’s pretty similar to Melo.  No defense, looks like a complete airhead.  Not a high IQ guy, not a leader, bad shot selection.  Outside of getting to the line, what is he elite at?

 

[220Participant]

 Melo’s probably the best comparison for Harden although their games are somewhat different. Both have huge numbers, no leadership, and no defense. Melo holds the ball endlessly while Harden dribbles the balls endlessly. Neither will win any really significant games in the NBA if they are their team’s best player.

[220Participant]

 Melo’s probably the best comparison for Harden although their games are somewhat different. Both have huge numbers, no leadership, and no defense. Melo holds the ball endlessly while Harden dribbles the balls endlessly. Neither will win any really significant games in the NBA if they are their team’s best player.

[losnopesosParticipant]

Cancer?  Maybe not cancer, he at least puts some butts in the seats.  I’d say more like the flu, or maybe that shoulder injury that never quite hurts, but never quite healed.  

He’s pretty similar to Melo.  No defense, looks like a complete airhead.  Not a high IQ guy, not a leader, bad shot selection.  Outside of getting to the line, what is he elite at?

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 He’s elite at getting to the FT line.

He’s obviously a very very good 1 on 1 offensive player. 

Basketball isn’t about 1 on 1 though. It’s about creating 2 on 1s. 

Harden is a huge turd. He’s one of the 3 least likeable players in the NBA. He’s a classic diva who wants to run the team and minimize his teammates, while at the same time, blaming his teammates for shortcomings. 

I don’t understand why any coach would want to coach that team. Howard is opting out. They aren’t going to bring in any big named free agents, yet thats all Morey is interested in trying to do. 

Think that team hit its ceiling last year when they gt lucky because the Clippers are the biggest front runners ever, Durant was hurt all year and the Spurs didn’t try in the regular season which meant the second and third best teams in the West faced off in the first round. 

Honestly last year’s Blazers and Grizzlies were probably both better than Houston too. It’s a little incredible that they got as far as they did. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 He’s elite at getting to the FT line.

He’s obviously a very very good 1 on 1 offensive player. 

Basketball isn’t about 1 on 1 though. It’s about creating 2 on 1s. 

Harden is a huge turd. He’s one of the 3 least likeable players in the NBA. He’s a classic diva who wants to run the team and minimize his teammates, while at the same time, blaming his teammates for shortcomings. 

I don’t understand why any coach would want to coach that team. Howard is opting out. They aren’t going to bring in any big named free agents, yet thats all Morey is interested in trying to do. 

Think that team hit its ceiling last year when they gt lucky because the Clippers are the biggest front runners ever, Durant was hurt all year and the Spurs didn’t try in the regular season which meant the second and third best teams in the West faced off in the first round. 

Honestly last year’s Blazers and Grizzlies were probably both better than Houston too. It’s a little incredible that they got as far as they did. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 per game…. And Allen Iverson is the only guard who ever averaged 9+……. put it this way players like Bill Russell & Kareem are no where near that…….. & even Jordan avg only 8 per game for his career…..

James Harden since joining Houston….. jumped from 4 FTA’s / game to 10+ FTA’s / game w/ Houston…… He is too ball dominant & just like Iverson w/ the Sixers….. A guard being that ball dominant is a Team construct that just does Not work in the playoffs…….

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Wait dont ever put harden & Iverson in.the same mold of a player ever again. Ai led his team to the finals when his made wings in mckie & snows’ fg% dropped significantly in the playoffs every year that team was together. He was selfish at times, but he tried to initiate ball movement, the ball just usually ended up back in his hands.

He was also a good defender, which harden refuses to play on a consistent basis. Doesn’t harden have d.Howard, ai had dekembe after his prime& he never was a scorer anyway. Ai got to the finals with subpar talent, beating everyone else in the east and led his team to atleast on win vs the Lakers, one of the most stacked.and dominant teams in the history of the nba. Ai never dimmed either in big games, harden was mediocre overall when the thunder lost to the hear,& even though he propelled the rockets to the playoffs his 1st year there he shot horrible in their lost to.okc, he also played mediocre against the warriors last year in the Western Conference Finals.

HORRIBLE comparison to make your point.

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 versa….. My only point was that having a guard who is That ball dominant & who depends That much on getting to the Free Throw Line it just does not work in the playoffs….. So comparing Harden to A.I. as a player was never my point & that’s my fualt for not explaining better…..

Anyway, Michael Jordan averaged 10+ FTA’s twice in career & the Bulls did not even make the Finals…. I’m certainly Not comparing Jordan to Harden or A.I……. My point is when Any guard is THAT ball dominant it is just Not a formula that can work to win a Ring…..

The Bulls adjusted & became the Bulls…. I remember back in 86, 87 & 88 before Jordan won & people were criticizing him for being to selfish & saying he would Never win a Ring….. That sounds Crazy now, but he did make adjustments & the Bulls became More multi dimensional…… & became maybe the Greatest team ever or one of them…..

That 2001 Sixers team did Not & they never came close to a Ring again….. That is ALL I am saying is that in the playoffs when Ref’s swallow their Whistles & team’s can lock in for a 7 game series & take away some of a team’s strengths….. A.I.’s FG% dropped too in the 2001 plyoffs from 42% to 38% b/c he had to work So much harder to get the same #’s…….

 No team can win like that & Harden’s 10+ FTA’s per game last couple years is a huge red flag….. Harden is leading the NBA in Free Throw Attempts & the guy in 2nd place is Over 100 FTA’s behind him & it’s Boogie Cousins….. But Harden is Also leading the NBA in FGA’s – FG’s missed & Turnovers & he plays Zero defense…. So I get your point it’s not That simple to just pick out FTA’s…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 versa….. My only point was that having a guard who is That ball dominant & who depends That much on getting to the Free Throw Line it just does not work in the playoffs….. So comparing Harden to A.I. as a player was never my point & that’s my fualt for not explaining better…..

Anyway, Michael Jordan averaged 10+ FTA’s twice in career & the Bulls did not even make the Finals…. I’m certainly Not comparing Jordan to Harden or A.I……. My point is when Any guard is THAT ball dominant it is just Not a formula that can work to win a Ring…..

The Bulls adjusted & became the Bulls…. I remember back in 86, 87 & 88 before Jordan won & people were criticizing him for being to selfish & saying he would Never win a Ring….. That sounds Crazy now, but he did make adjustments & the Bulls became More multi dimensional…… & became maybe the Greatest team ever or one of them…..

That 2001 Sixers team did Not & they never came close to a Ring again….. That is ALL I am saying is that in the playoffs when Ref’s swallow their Whistles & team’s can lock in for a 7 game series & take away some of a team’s strengths….. A.I.’s FG% dropped too in the 2001 plyoffs from 42% to 38% b/c he had to work So much harder to get the same #’s…….

 No team can win like that & Harden’s 10+ FTA’s per game last couple years is a huge red flag….. Harden is leading the NBA in Free Throw Attempts & the guy in 2nd place is Over 100 FTA’s behind him & it’s Boogie Cousins….. But Harden is Also leading the NBA in FGA’s – FG’s missed & Turnovers & he plays Zero defense…. So I get your point it’s not That simple to just pick out FTA’s…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Stop_basketball_nonsenseParticipant]

 Wait dont ever put harden & Iverson in.the same mold of a player ever again. Ai led his team to the finals when his made wings in mckie & snows’ fg% dropped significantly in the playoffs every year that team was together. He was selfish at times, but he tried to initiate ball movement, the ball just usually ended up back in his hands.

He was also a good defender, which harden refuses to play on a consistent basis. Doesn’t harden have d.Howard, ai had dekembe after his prime& he never was a scorer anyway. Ai got to the finals with subpar talent, beating everyone else in the east and led his team to atleast on win vs the Lakers, one of the most stacked.and dominant teams in the history of the nba. Ai never dimmed either in big games, harden was mediocre overall when the thunder lost to the hear,& even though he propelled the rockets to the playoffs his 1st year there he shot horrible in their lost to.okc, he also played mediocre against the warriors last year in the Western Conference Finals.

HORRIBLE comparison to make your point.

 

 

[circumlocution75Participant]

 per game…. And Allen Iverson is the only guard who ever averaged 9+……. put it this way players like Bill Russell & Kareem are no where near that…….. & even Jordan avg only 8 per game for his career…..

James Harden since joining Houston….. jumped from 4 FTA’s / game to 10+ FTA’s / game w/ Houston…… He is too ball dominant & just like Iverson w/ the Sixers….. A guard being that ball dominant is a Team construct that just does Not work in the playoffs…….

 

[CynthiaParticipant]

This is why I’ve always defended OKC on trading him away, despite the overwhelming hate that trade received.

First off he refused to resign with OKC because they were slightly shy of the max because they didn’t want to go over the cap, he made this big deal about how OKC massively undercut him so he split, which is complete BS. When you do the actual number crunching he signed to Houston for only 1.8 more per year which in the basketball world is a small margin. Most of OKC had already been taking slight pay cuts to keep the core together while staying under the cap, something Harden clearly was not down with. This was a huge selfish red flag that people disregarded.

I do agree that what they got for him in the trade was not very good, however the clock was ticking and a deal had to be made because he already confirmed he would NOT resign with OKC at the end of the year. So yes, the trade was not great but it was clearly better than a half year rental and losing him for nothing. Some people argue they should have just let him leave and use the money in free agency, however at the time Harden was still on a cheap rookie contract which is not enough to land you much in free agency.

His defense is atrocious. This was a time when Scotty Brooks was still coaching and all he talked about day & night was defense. While he did seem to play slightly better defense in OKC he still had the tendency to disappear at times, and this was when OKC had a very weak bench so when the starters were out other teams just had a field day. He also had a tendency to disappear on offense, how quickly people forget the horrible playoff games he had for OKC.

I also think his personality and ego was an issue, obviously the locker room is barely big enough for Durant & Westbrook as it is, much less adding in a third guy. This was going to explode eventually, even if he did resign with OKC this would have innevitably been a big chemistry problem.

Harden scores a lot, there’s no denying that (even if it takes a lot of shots and an absurd amount of free throws). But scoring is just about all he does. Typically a player whom only scores is a perfect 3rd option or 6th man, which is what he played for OKC and I still to this day think that is the best role for him. He can be a first option on days he’s really hot, but you just simply can’t rely on him to be your first option on a daily basis. He’s a glorified chucker who gets half his points on free throws.

[CynthiaParticipant]

This is why I’ve always defended OKC on trading him away, despite the overwhelming hate that trade received.

First off he refused to resign with OKC because they were slightly shy of the max because they didn’t want to go over the cap, he made this big deal about how OKC massively undercut him so he split, which is complete BS. When you do the actual number crunching he signed to Houston for only 1.8 more per year which in the basketball world is a small margin. Most of OKC had already been taking slight pay cuts to keep the core together while staying under the cap, something Harden clearly was not down with. This was a huge selfish red flag that people disregarded.

I do agree that what they got for him in the trade was not very good, however the clock was ticking and a deal had to be made because he already confirmed he would NOT resign with OKC at the end of the year. So yes, the trade was not great but it was clearly better than a half year rental and losing him for nothing. Some people argue they should have just let him leave and use the money in free agency, however at the time Harden was still on a cheap rookie contract which is not enough to land you much in free agency.

His defense is atrocious. This was a time when Scotty Brooks was still coaching and all he talked about day & night was defense. While he did seem to play slightly better defense in OKC he still had the tendency to disappear at times, and this was when OKC had a very weak bench so when the starters were out other teams just had a field day. He also had a tendency to disappear on offense, how quickly people forget the horrible playoff games he had for OKC.

I also think his personality and ego was an issue, obviously the locker room is barely big enough for Durant & Westbrook as it is, much less adding in a third guy. This was going to explode eventually, even if he did resign with OKC this would have innevitably been a big chemistry problem.

Harden scores a lot, there’s no denying that (even if it takes a lot of shots and an absurd amount of free throws). But scoring is just about all he does. Typically a player whom only scores is a perfect 3rd option or 6th man, which is what he played for OKC and I still to this day think that is the best role for him. He can be a first option on days he’s really hot, but you just simply can’t rely on him to be your first option on a daily basis. He’s a glorified chucker who gets half his points on free throws.

[markfitz14Participant]

 He pushed for the firing of a good coach. He tried to blame McHale, not Cool. He was actually doing a good job. The team is in an internal struggle with the style of plays not mixing.

[markfitz14Participant]

 He pushed for the firing of a good coach. He tried to blame McHale, not Cool. He was actually doing a good job. The team is in an internal struggle with the style of plays not mixing.

[thaprodigyParticipant]

 "Laziest superstar since Tracy McGrady" – Jemele Hill

[thaprodigyParticipant]

 "Laziest superstar since Tracy McGrady" – Jemele Hill

[CasualCelt]

 Math nerd Morey doesn’t have the social skills/emotional intelligence required to run a team outside of XBox.

 

 

[CasualCelt]

 Math nerd Morey doesn’t have the social skills/emotional intelligence required to run a team outside of XBox.

 

 

[OaktownWarriorsParticipant]

Players like Harden, Melo, Dwight, Paul, Prize fighter Blake are garbage. They put up some All Star stats, however they don’t make their team mates or their team better. However, Melo has my vote as the worst team mate ever!!! Melo puts up huge numbers, what’s big cash money, but tell me about his playoff record??? With Denver, with the Knicks…Your only has good as your team. And Denver and NY were stupid enough to give a garbage player like Melo huge cash for really nothing! NOTHING!

[OaktownWarriorsParticipant]

Players like Harden, Melo, Dwight, Paul, Prize fighter Blake are garbage. They put up some All Star stats, however they don’t make their team mates or their team better. However, Melo has my vote as the worst team mate ever!!! Melo puts up huge numbers, what’s big cash money, but tell me about his playoff record??? With Denver, with the Knicks…Your only has good as your team. And Denver and NY were stupid enough to give a garbage player like Melo huge cash for really nothing! NOTHING!

[HazelParticipant]

 Useless without the ball.  Makes teammates worse.  Decreases the value of talent.  Doesn’t let teammates tough the ball enough to get warmed up, let alone play well.  

[HazelParticipant]

 Useless without the ball.  Makes teammates worse.  Decreases the value of talent.  Doesn’t let teammates tough the ball enough to get warmed up, let alone play well.  

[2quick4uParticipant]

 YES, he’s a cancer.

he’s the last residue of today’s modern basketball as a result of the league’s change of rules since jordan retired, to try to make basketball a good and enjoyable product..

hopefully curry changes this tendency of the last 15 years and basketball takes a different path..

harden can only aspire to be a franchise player with inflated numbers on a bad team, just like kevin love, carmelo or cousisns, or at best, a second-third option on a contender..

 

 

 

[2quick4uParticipant]

 YES, he’s a cancer.

he’s the last residue of today’s modern basketball as a result of the league’s change of rules since jordan retired, to try to make basketball a good and enjoyable product..

hopefully curry changes this tendency of the last 15 years and basketball takes a different path..

harden can only aspire to be a franchise player with inflated numbers on a bad team, just like kevin love, carmelo or cousisns, or at best, a second-third option on a contender..

 

 

 

[skyrimownsall]

 

stop listening to ESPN, they have had it out for Harden since the players voted Harden MVP on the NBA last year, ESPN has been clowning him hard. Its cool though, Harden is one of the more marketable stars in the league, and has commited to defense since the all-star break

 

Truthfully, Harden and Curry are similar players, Curry gets 3’s from the 3-point line, and Harden gets 3’s from driving to the basket getting and1’s… they are both generational talents

Dwight Howard is a team killer, he ruins your team, because he cant post up, and he distorts the spacing on the court, plus he cant shot free-throws, Harden would beast with a guy like Whiteside instead of Dwight, i hope Miami is seriously considering not resigning him( although that would be foolish)…

 

In closing Harden to me when he is commited is a top 3 player in the league, yes better than westbrook and durant… people forget in that wcf last year he was getting the best of the splash bros by himself… with no running mate….

 

also Curry is slighty overhyped, yes he is a 3 point specialist and great with pick and rolls, he doesnt play defense, he is a free roamer, his one on one d SUCKS… klay often guards his assignment. Teams should trap Cuirry more double team, and let Draymon beat them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[skyrimownsall]

 

stop listening to ESPN, they have had it out for Harden since the players voted Harden MVP on the NBA last year, ESPN has been clowning him hard. Its cool though, Harden is one of the more marketable stars in the league, and has commited to defense since the all-star break

 

Truthfully, Harden and Curry are similar players, Curry gets 3’s from the 3-point line, and Harden gets 3’s from driving to the basket getting and1’s… they are both generational talents

Dwight Howard is a team killer, he ruins your team, because he cant post up, and he distorts the spacing on the court, plus he cant shot free-throws, Harden would beast with a guy like Whiteside instead of Dwight, i hope Miami is seriously considering not resigning him( although that would be foolish)…

 

In closing Harden to me when he is commited is a top 3 player in the league, yes better than westbrook and durant… people forget in that wcf last year he was getting the best of the splash bros by himself… with no running mate….

 

also Curry is slighty overhyped, yes he is a 3 point specialist and great with pick and rolls, he doesnt play defense, he is a free roamer, his one on one d SUCKS… klay often guards his assignment. Teams should trap Cuirry more double team, and let Draymon beat them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cjwParticipant]

 Thank god the Harden hype is dying down. He is extremely talented, but is a bad teammate, lazy on D, and inefficient on offense.

[cjwParticipant]

 Thank god the Harden hype is dying down. He is extremely talented, but is a bad teammate, lazy on D, and inefficient on offense.

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

 All of yall were on Hardens nuts last year, praising him for bringing n injury depleted Rockets team to the 2nd Seed in the West. The Rockets arent that great of a team and lost Kevin Mchale who was great coach and unfairly fired. People complain about the amount of shots that Harden takes and the dribbling he does, but besides him who is a shot creator on that team. He isnt a cancer but a product of a team that is not well put together and lacks shot creators and over talent. They also need a better offensive scheme to free up their shooters and give the ball to Dwight, most of these issues are to due with coaching. 

[Demarcus OnealParticipant]

 All of yall were on Hardens nuts last year, praising him for bringing n injury depleted Rockets team to the 2nd Seed in the West. The Rockets arent that great of a team and lost Kevin Mchale who was great coach and unfairly fired. People complain about the amount of shots that Harden takes and the dribbling he does, but besides him who is a shot creator on that team. He isnt a cancer but a product of a team that is not well put together and lacks shot creators and over talent. They also need a better offensive scheme to free up their shooters and give the ball to Dwight, most of these issues are to due with coaching. 

[Hype Machine]

If Harden is a Cancer, sign me up for Lymphoma, Leukemia and Melanoma cos he’s hands down the best SG in the league. 

Perhaps the Rockets would win more games with Nic Stauskas at the SG position. I heard he’s a really high character guy and his stats are far from "empty". 

[Hype Machine]

If Harden is a Cancer, sign me up for Lymphoma, Leukemia and Melanoma cos he’s hands down the best SG in the league. 

Perhaps the Rockets would win more games with Nic Stauskas at the SG position. I heard he’s a really high character guy and his stats are far from "empty". 

[Author]

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