You can't really say it for certain about Harden either. Just because his team was on the losing end of big games doesn't mean he'll never amount to shit. Look how long it took Lebron to win a title. Jordan the same way. The fact that were closing the chapter on Harden because he had a bad finals appearance as a 22 year old is pretty silly. Most players at 23 have never sniffed a big game.
...he doesn't like being "the man", period. LeBron has always thrived being "the man". Same with Kobe. Same with Jordan. Harden is much more like Rasheed in this regard, always preferring to play second or third fiddle. You are right, time will tell...but I am going to trust my guts until ole Baby Face proves me otherwise [don't bet on it!]
He turned down the OKC offer and signed an extension with the Rockets because he wants to be "the man".
Money and to be "the guy". Cornerstone. Face of the franchise...all that good stuff... It's weird how this fanbase clamors for players to hate on. Kevin Love on line 2.
Not hating. Harden is a great player. I just thought your comment was funny in the context of his situation.
...Harden's motives were purely monetary, he will continue choking when called upon to be "the guy" [he even wrote Presti an email before he was drafted saying as much] And I've hated on him ever since he was with ASU, and his continued disappearing act in BIG games only helps to justify my stance. I will be amazed if he is able to get any of his future teams past the 2nd round while being "the guy".
I'm a fan of his game. DOn't think he is anywhere near a #1 guy though. I do have a problem when people start saying so-in-so player has never been past the first round or so-in-so has never won a ring. Guys who's game I have or had tons of respect for like T-Mac/ Andre Miller/ Charles Barkley........ TMac like only got his team past the first round like once. It wasn't HIS fault. Like Andre Miller not getting past the first round...... that guy leaves it on the floor every night, wasn't his fault his teammates didn't step it up in the playoffs. And Chuck...... never won a ring along with Stockton and Malone. The fact they didn't doesn't make them any less of players compared to people who have. Just my opinion.
I guess what I'm saying is, you can't judge how good a player is if their weak ass teammates don't help.
TMac never got his team passed the first round ONCE. He was on the roster when the Rockets beat us in the first round but he didn't play a second and he wasn't on the bench.
And it was TMac's fault he never got passed the first round. He choked in the big games. His Magic team had a 3-1 lead vs the Pistons and then he choked it away and played awful in Game 7. Everyone else on the Magic played great that day. The loss was squarely on TMac.
TMac averaged 32ppg in 02-03 season but in Game 7, he shoots 29% from the field. Meanwhile, Gooden's playing out of his mind with 20/17 and Giricek played well too. It wasn't his teammates fault he shot so badly.
I'm a big fan, 3RA1N1AC, of how you pull out Tony Delk as your poster child of one-off games....not Fat Lever or Willie Burton or Scott Skiles, always Tony Delk.
he struck a chord with me for some reason, what can i say, although scott skiles is a great one as well, kudos
top 5 craziest 50 point games willie burton got 53 points on 19 shots!? delk is #1, although for sheer shock id put burton or tracy murray #1
