OT Is James Harden the best PG in the NBA?

I have the same problem with Harden that I have with Westbrook. They're both phenomenal players, but I can't stand how they play. It's a style issue. Curry is phenomenal and he doesn't bother me nearly as much.

 

You fools are crazy not to acknowledge his skills on the offensive side.....putting up amazing numbers.

 

In fact I'll go as far as to say that if Dame was averaging what The Beard is, you would all be going crazy with the DameForMVP thing!

 

Nah, they'd all be bitching about how the entire rest of the roster is underachieving and how they are wasting the prime of Dame's career.

BNM

 

Is anyone saying he doesn't have skill?

 

This whole thread almost all replies have been negative towards his game. Thats what I was talking about. About 3 of us have acknowledged him in a positive light. His numbers are KILLING Nash during his all star seasons plain and simple, yet people must still hate.

 

I acknowledge that he's a an offensive monster. But it isn't just that he's a poor defensive player, it's that he doesn't even TRY to play defense. You can't get much more one dimensional than that....and that's why I wouldn't want him on my team.

 

I wouldn't either for the same reason but he's added a lot of rebounding and assists this season...even without the D....and D'Antoni got Steve Nash 2 MVPs while he was a horrible defender so I get the comparisons

 

When does playing defense ever come into play when talking about the best or MVP level players. It SHOULD, but it DOESN'T!
Reggie Miller made allstar games all the time and never played D. The aforementioned Nash was a HORRIBLE defender. There are TONS of all star level players who suck on the defensive end of the court.
But when you are as completely dominating as Harden is on the other end, who gives a fuck!
Of course everybody wants a player that brings it on both ends, but that just isn't the norm.
Just wishing people would sit back and give credit where it's due. I hate him and the Rockets, but damn sure acknowledge how good he is.

 

Michael Jordan, ShaQ, Hakeem. All MVPS? All All defensive first team.

 

Man nobody said there aren't many examples of all stars and MVPs that kill it on BOTH ends. I said it SHOULD be more of a prerequisite, but on many occasions it isn't. So to have people not give Harden his much deserved credit because of his lack of any D at all is ridiculous.

 

Here is the thing though. If Dame were in his spot on that team, do you think Dame would have worse, the same, or better stats?

I think they would be at minimum the same. Same if you put almost any starting PG into his role on that team. CP3, Lowry, COnley. I think they all put up the same type of numbers if put into the same situation.
If this is agreed upon, then isn't it fair to say,. he really isn't doing anything any other star in the league would be doing in the same situation, which basically means he really isn't any better than others in his position?

I'm just saying, if you could plug half a dozen PG's in the league into his position, I think they put up the same numbers. Not saying Harden sucks, but AMAZING, I think is stretching based on my opinions of that position on that team and who could do what with it right now.

 

Below.

@HCP said "When does playing defense ever come into play when talking about the best or MVP level players. It SHOULD, but it DOESN'T!"

Butt that isn't what you said. I just quoted you above. But I do agree with what you JUST said. IT should be more of a prerequisite. Who cares if you can score 50 pts per game if your opponents still outscore you for the game.

Didn't the Pistons D win finals MVP?
Or was that Ben Wallace.
I know its rare, and I don't know about regular season MVP, but I think D is looked at more than is being stated when discussing MVP. I could be wrong.

 

Who were D'Antoni's Pos in NYC? I can't remember.

 

Piece of shits? I think all his players were POSs when he coached NYK.

 

I think Harden is amazing (at least on one end) and not afraid to admit it. That wasn't the question posed though people. Not best overall PG for me but easily top 5.

 

Besides CP3, do any of the top 5 or so play defense? Trying to think who does.