that missed out of bounds call on KD was unbelievable in every element, both live and the fact it wasn't reviewed... surely they can see that it was out and wipe the previous score and take the game clock back to when he was out? Almost cost the Rockets the game bar Harden's incredible shot...

Yeah he is amazing. The fact that he can do a Michael flatley impression without dribbling the ball before every shot and not get called for travel is amazing.

I find it hard to compare players like Harden to other eras. Offensively he can pretty much do whatever he wants, and has added a passing game to his repertoire. The attention he draws, mobility, and legitimate range makes opportunities for others. He obviously makes the most of the nature of the officiating, but I have to assume he would be capable of adjusting as required. However, he is such a selective defender, and at times just not shown up to critical games.

He looked to be fading badly in the fourth quarter chucking up garbage until the end of regulation and then that OT winner. I'm in two minds.

Can shoot. I don't see much else.

Not very high.

Can't get our names out your mouth. How do we taste?

Can't imagine anyone ever being able to score so easily in isolation before. Not sure about all-time but he is right now the third best in the game behind LBJ and Giannis imo (hard to gauge tho). Davis has the best PER this season but I feel he should be getting more wins out of his team. Harden's usage is so much higher than anyone else in the league and he is only a fraction above Giannis in PER.

To truly gauge exactly what Harden is doing, we would have to put guys like Kyrie, Durant, Dame, Curry in his situation (the only go-to guy on the team with shooters all around to space the floor) with usage rate of 39, and see what they can do. I don't know what to make of what Harden is doing. Kyrie has a bunch of other guys, Durant has Steph and Klay, Dame has CJ. Harden has no one else rn. When Paul is healthy and playing, Harden's numbers become so much less spectacular.

To his credit, he is doing it against all different types of P&R coverages, and making quick adjustments as to how to beat the different looks. But from the Houston games I've seen, teams are just not mentally locked in for the entire game and go away from their game plans. Come playoffs when teams are locked in for the full 48, that's when you see his percentages drop and everyone calls him a choker. Maybe if he wasn't so historic all the time in the regular season, people would cut him some slack in playoffs.

Houston has no Eric Gordon right now either, so it is literally all Harden. His usage rate hasn't been below 42.2 since the Spurs game

IMO Harden exemplifies just about all of the least enjoyable aspects of the NBA today for me. Shoots a ton of 3s, gets to the line even more, and shouldn't even bother dribbling with how many steps he gets away with on just about every drive to the hoop. His highlight reel looks great, but his style (and the Rockets style) makes for more dull moments than brilliance over 48 minutes for me.

Agree that he is playing within the rules - I think what he has done is a bit genius really, which is basically take it to the extreme of what he can get away with within the NBA system, so "take advantage of the rules" maybe a better term for it. He's the best at that in the league. Don't enjoy watching it though.

That's why I'm in two minds. It will be interesting if he plays at the World Cup.

Nothing is funnier comparing current/modern NBA players to those of the past.

The game is completely different/unrecognisable to the previous eras.

First and foremost, at least half of the shots taken in the modern NBA, if they were taken years ago, such players would have been hooked immediately. Today it is the norm. If they miss and miss badly, who cares. This is because there are so many more posessions, each posession becomes diluted.

Everyone brags on about players like Westbrooke, Harden, Simmons, triple doubles etc etc, well what is the big deal when there are so many more posessions mmeaning more shots, more chance for assists and rebounds?

Secondly, the defense. Dont even get me started. Especially in the first qtr of games, the intensity of games defensively is laughable. Most resemble nothing more than an all star game.


The NBA game has turned to junk. NBA executives have essentially prostituted the game because that is what the public wants to see, just scoring, high scoring, which translates to bigger crowds, ratings and hence bigger pay packets for everyone from players to NBA executives.

If anyone even tries to play D, the referees just penalise them.

All I know is I put a bet on Harden for MVP over the weekend at $6.50 and the next morning it was $2.75. :D

Come at me cash out value!

Watching highlights and Harden's chucking didn't work this morning -- 0-4 3pt FG in the final two minutes vs. Bucks. Great when it works but when it doesn't it's ugly. Season 10/33 (30%) in final 2:00 for the season.

Actually 10/37 (27%) overall now adding today.

By the end of the season harden could be talked about as the second best SG of all time. It's unreal what he's doing right now

The great man has done it again!

This is how Kobe used to play, except Harden is actually efficient and can score at a higher rate. I agree at the end of his career he'll be the second best SG of all time.

Harden rates as average defensively in advanced metrics and otherworldly on offence. Overall, he's the best player in the league so far.

Har-den! 58 more big ones today. I don't believe anyone, including LeBron, could do what he's doing right now.