Official NBA 2018-2019 Thread - the end of the regular season is near
Its hella impressive & historic, at least you're giving him his props in this thread. Every one else is quiet as a church mouse about what he's doing and this is the NBA thread lol.
If it was Curry or Lebron doing this (which they never have) niggas heads would explode in here. But I get it, Harden will probably go down as one of the most unheralded superstar when it's all said & done.
Only him & Kobe has ever averaged 40 points during a 10 game span but unlike Kobe, he has 3 triple doubles to go along with that. And he's brought the Rockets back to a top 5 playoff spot in the west after they were on the outside looking in a few weeks ago.
You might call it trash but that that's hella efficient compared to jackers in the past like Kobe, Iverson or most currently Westbrook.
Saying he's not athletic is lazy critique. There's enough on film in the past 2 seasons alone posterizing a few cats.
A 6'5' black man in his 20's dunking isn't a sole qualifier for athleticism. Certainly not in the context of NBA players. There is nothing lazy about stating that obvious fact. Harden would never be categorized as an athletic guard among peers in that league. Cut the bullshit.
And efficiency is debatable. Especially when you factor in usage rates and turnovers. He will probably lead the league in both this season. And that's horrible. Also, these numbers are largely manufactured and a product of bad officiating and game play. We see annually what happens in the postseason when that assist is removed.
When you have the highest usage rate in the league it's a pretty sure bet your turnovers are going to be high. No one else in the league creates more offensive buckets for their team than him so how on earth is he trash? I can see if he was doing this and his team wasn't winning. They haven't missed the playoffs since he's been in Houston.
I never said he's the most athletic, I just wholly disagree that he's not athletic. Posterizing cats is one thing but for a man his size to cross up cats and utilize the step back 3 they way he does is athletic. Fam, I don't know how much ball you played in your life but to put up those type of numbers in the NBA, your in the top percentage of athleticism in the world.
Since the officiating & game play is so bad today, you're gonna fault him for averaging 40 a night in December lmao.
I'm not here to convince you to like dude but but calling him trash is laughable. But to each his own I'll end it there.
Man dude is impressive, man just think if he didn’t shots as many 3’s...
That shit would be beautiful, in a sense them 3’s take pressure off the defender/defenders
Harden is not trash by any means; but saying hes an efficient player well thats debatable lol; but what hes doing is some good shit and Houston is winning behind it....
Well he's ranked 3rd in the league in efficiency per ESPN
http://insider.espn.com/nba/hollinger/statistics
He's not a media darling and his game isn't the prettiest but we have to give the man credit for the type of numbers he's put up the past few seasons.
How Can Ben Simmons Be a Top 10 Point Guard When He Can't Shoot?
https://thebiglead.com/2018/12/27/how-can-ben-simmons-be-a-top-10-point-guard-when-he-cant-shoot/
Ben Simmons is not a bad NBA starting point guard by virtue of the fact that he is a great passer and defender, but as we evaluate where he’s at in his second season would he crack the top 10 at his position? If so, it’s by a thread.
As three-point shooting continues to proliferate in the league, Simmons has literally not attempted a single shot from beyond the arc this season. The Sixers are generally talented enough to win about two-thirds of their games just by virtue of having what Simmons does provide in addition to two stars in Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler. Nevertheless, my contention is that there are about 10 point guards in the NBA who are better than Simmons in a playoff series, and that Simmons’ shooting liability late in games is going to submarine them in the postseason as they fall short of the Eastern Conference Finals. (If the season ended today, they’d play the Celtics and fail to even make the second round.)
Obviously salary matters and Simmons is all things considered a solid value making $6.4 million on his rookie deal. However, these point guards are better in a vacuum right now:
Definitively Better
Stephen Curry, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook. Perhaps you’re not enamored with Westbrook, but if Westbrook and Simmons switch places do you really think the Thunder are 21-12 and third in the West right now? Or that the Sixers’ win total decreases? The other argument here could be that Harden is not a point guard, as he shares a backcourt with Chris Paul. But, given how much the ball is in his hands — and that this is my exercise — I’m counting him.
You could argue but I’d think you’re wrong
Mike Conley and De’Aaron Fox. Now we’re up to 8. Conley is averaging 20 points per game on a Grizzlies when Memphis has about seven less possessions per game than Philadelphia (the Grizzlies have the least possessions per game while the Sixers have the fourth-most).
If last year’s Draft were redone today, do you think the Sixers would take Simmons over Fox? I honestly don’t, especially given that the rumblings that Simmons is going to head to Tinseltown the first chance he gets are already simmering. Fox may not be a high volume 3-point shooter, but he’s knocking down over 40% of them on 3.1 attempts per game this season.
You’ll think I’m wrong but I can live with that
So now we’ve reached a point where I believe fairly strongly that Simmons is not a top 25% starter at his position in the NBA. Further, there are even a couple other point guards like Eric Bledsoe and D’Angelo Russell who you’d probably say I’m crazy to prefer over Simmons in a hotly contested playoff series, but I’d nonetheless choose — remember how Simmons vanished into a bizarre state of passivity in Game 2 against the Celtics last year as the Sixers blew a 22-point lead?
It bears repeating that Simmons is a phenomenal defender and passer. It’s too early to write him off for life as not-elite in his second season. If, like, Brook Lopez could develop a three-point shot nearly a decade into his NBA career, it’s certainly conceivable that Simmons could grind out an ability to shoot from the perimeter. However, until he does so, he is not going to be an asset in the playoffs given what the sport has become.
https://www.bgol.us/forum/threads/n...ard-when-he-cant-shoot.1032507/#post-19619793
https://thebiglead.com/2018/12/27/how-can-ben-simmons-be-a-top-10-point-guard-when-he-cant-shoot/
Ben Simmons is not a bad NBA starting point guard by virtue of the fact that he is a great passer and defender, but as we evaluate where he’s at in his second season would he crack the top 10 at his position? If so, it’s by a thread.
As three-point shooting continues to proliferate in the league, Simmons has literally not attempted a single shot from beyond the arc this season. The Sixers are generally talented enough to win about two-thirds of their games just by virtue of having what Simmons does provide in addition to two stars in Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler. Nevertheless, my contention is that there are about 10 point guards in the NBA who are better than Simmons in a playoff series, and that Simmons’ shooting liability late in games is going to submarine them in the postseason as they fall short of the Eastern Conference Finals. (If the season ended today, they’d play the Celtics and fail to even make the second round.)
Obviously salary matters and Simmons is all things considered a solid value making $6.4 million on his rookie deal. However, these point guards are better in a vacuum right now:
Definitively Better
Stephen Curry, James Harden, Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker, Kyrie Irving, Russell Westbrook. Perhaps you’re not enamored with Westbrook, but if Westbrook and Simmons switch places do you really think the Thunder are 21-12 and third in the West right now? Or that the Sixers’ win total decreases? The other argument here could be that Harden is not a point guard, as he shares a backcourt with Chris Paul. But, given how much the ball is in his hands — and that this is my exercise — I’m counting him.
You could argue but I’d think you’re wrong
Mike Conley and De’Aaron Fox. Now we’re up to 8. Conley is averaging 20 points per game on a Grizzlies when Memphis has about seven less possessions per game than Philadelphia (the Grizzlies have the least possessions per game while the Sixers have the fourth-most).
If last year’s Draft were redone today, do you think the Sixers would take Simmons over Fox? I honestly don’t, especially given that the rumblings that Simmons is going to head to Tinseltown the first chance he gets are already simmering. Fox may not be a high volume 3-point shooter, but he’s knocking down over 40% of them on 3.1 attempts per game this season.
You’ll think I’m wrong but I can live with that
So now we’ve reached a point where I believe fairly strongly that Simmons is not a top 25% starter at his position in the NBA. Further, there are even a couple other point guards like Eric Bledsoe and D’Angelo Russell who you’d probably say I’m crazy to prefer over Simmons in a hotly contested playoff series, but I’d nonetheless choose — remember how Simmons vanished into a bizarre state of passivity in Game 2 against the Celtics last year as the Sixers blew a 22-point lead?
It bears repeating that Simmons is a phenomenal defender and passer. It’s too early to write him off for life as not-elite in his second season. If, like, Brook Lopez could develop a three-point shot nearly a decade into his NBA career, it’s certainly conceivable that Simmons could grind out an ability to shoot from the perimeter. However, until he does so, he is not going to be an asset in the playoffs given what the sport has become.
https://www.bgol.us/forum/threads/n...ard-when-he-cant-shoot.1032507/#post-19619793
High turnovers and league leading turnovers are two different things. Id guess in the last decade the two havent shared the same space but most likely will this season. And again, you cant ignore turnover rate in any conversation discussing efficiency levels. Sure they made the playoffs but not being a lottery team shouldnt be the measuring stick for greatness. They have been bounced in round one 3 times.. and he has absolutely shit the bed in the postseason nearly each trip to end them.
As for his athleticism, again, in the context on NBA players, saying Harden isnt athletic is not a stretch or insult... nor is it a falsehood. Crossing up and step back 3's is no indicator of athletic prowess my man.. Its actually more indicative of the opposite as its using a skillset and NOT pure athleticism to create space and shots.. And what does me playing ball have to do with my eyes and how much NBA ive watched? You sound silly. Shooting fifteen 3's a game, initiating contact while driving, and flailing to go to the line 15 times isnt good basketball. Period. And thats literally his entire game.. Jack 15 three pointers, and drive, flail, flop to the lane, dip his shoulder to create contact and get his shit blocked while the ref blows the whistle... oh, and i havent even addressed the missed traveling calls. Its officiated manufactured bullshit. And there is a reason that shit doesnt work in the postseason.
As I said previously his game isn't pretty but its effective & efficient (ranks 3rd in efficiency). So I guess he made a deal with the refs and the whole NBA that only he can get away with flailing, flopping traveling etc.. Because as we know he's the face of the NBA & the league wants him to continue this debauchery
Your right his skillset is impressive more than his athleticism and that even adds to the uniqueness of him & what he's done.
As far as you playing and watching it's from a very biased viewpoint but I get it, you've made it clear that he's "trash." But in today's style of game, every GM or coach would want a player like him. Luckily social media characters who make Harden memes & guys who want the 90s style of NBA back don't make actual GM decisions.
You complaining about him jacking 15 3s a night when he shoots them at almost 40% and the team encourages him and everyone to shoot only 3s and layups. Come on man lol. More teams are playing this type of ball. I'm done for real though.
I give him mad credit. He's a beast for sure. And those numbers are solid.
Yes.. effective as long as its enabled by officials. And efficient if we ignore the glaring turnover rate. No doubt. And if you dont understand that he is indeed one of the faces of the NBA and is thus highly promoted and enabled then you're a bit delusional... Like i said, its manufactured. He is a great talent for sure but he benefits for alot of inorganic bullshit.As I said previously his game isn't pretty but its effective & efficient (ranks 3rd in efficiency). So I guess he made a deal with the refs and the whole NBA that only he can get away with flailing, flopping traveling etc.. Because as we know he's the face of the NBA & the league wants him to continue this debauchery
Your right his skillset is impressive more than his athleticism and that even adds to the uniqueness of him & what he's done.
As far as you playing and watching it's from a very biased viewpoint but I get it, you've made it clear that he's "trash." But in today's style of game, every GM or coach would want a player like him. Luckily social media characters who make Harden memes & guys who want the 90s style of NBA back don't make actual GM decisions.
You complaining about him jacking 15 3s a night when he shoots them at almost 40% and the team encourages him and everyone to shoot only 3s and layups. Come on man lol. More teams are playing this type of ball. I'm done for real though.
If you think watching a nigga jack 3's, take 4 step hop backs, and go to the line 20 times a game is aesthetically pleasing then enjoy. I just think its trash.. To be clear, im not saying he is a trash talent. Specifically im calling his style and what he is allowed to get away with collectively, trash.
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I don't like how Houston plays but it works to a degree. But @Amajorfucup is right, there's a reason why his numbers drop a lot in playoffs and he becomes less efficient.....As I said previously his game isn't pretty but its effective & efficient (ranks 3rd in efficiency). So I guess he made a deal with the refs and the whole NBA that only he can get away with flailing, flopping traveling etc.. Because as we know he's the face of the NBA & the league wants him to continue this debauchery
Your right his skillset is impressive more than his athleticism and that even adds to the uniqueness of him & what he's done.
As far as you playing and watching it's from a very biased viewpoint but I get it, you've made it clear that he's "trash." But in today's style of game, every GM or coach would want a player like him. Luckily social media characters who make Harden memes & guys who want the 90s style of NBA back don't make actual GM decisions.
You complaining about him jacking 15 3s a night when he shoots them at almost 40% and the team encourages him and everyone to shoot only 3s and layups. Come on man lol. More teams are playing this type of ball. I'm done for real though.
We all know the refs swallow their whistles more in the playoffs so I agree with him being less efficient in the playoffs mainly because of that.
Harden has to adjust his game in the playoffs, he knows this by now. He's just 29 so I'm not gonna write him off in the playoffs yet but time will tell.
GEEZUS!!!!! 
Harden is dope, always has been but his step back is traveling most of the time and his 4 point plays are almost always bullshit calls. He heavily benefits from the way the game is officiated. No knock on that but it's bullshit. If they weren't protecting shooters like they protect qb's in the NFL, Harden would have to switch his perimeter game up.
See here's my thing.. it's a issue with the NBA, Harden has become the scapegoat for whatever reason and he's by far not the only star that benefits from the whistle. His objective is to score just like everybody else, so are we to fault him for how he plays within what's allowed in today's game?
Crazy thing is if he was still averaging 15 points a game like when he played for OKC, nobody would criticize dude.
You're right. It is an issue with the league and not Harden. I don't knock Harden for finding out how to capitalize. I don't. I just don't like it but he's always been dope even before they started protecting shooters.
Refs missed a lot of calls in this game....