Harden = best overall offensive ever?

[msgkings322]

Obviously James Harden will never be a two-way player. But just that one thing, as an offensive threat (scoring, assists, etc), is it fair to call him the best ever?

 

[msgkings322]

Apologize for the stupid title, I'm high as fuck. But I am seriously wondering about Harden, I was thinking about that before I smoked

 

[Wishbone]

RW > James Harden

 

[tlance]

RW > James Harden

Offensively?

Not even in the ballpark of being close. Harden is a much better offensive player and legitimately in the conversation of toughest player to guard of all time. Not saying he is, but his combination of skill, savvy and strength makes him completely unguardable.

 

[R.J. MacReady]

He's friggen hilarious ..thats for sure.

.

 

[Sir Robin Of Camelot]

No.

Wilt was. When he was in the mood. Which was often.

 

[Scapegoat]

No.

Wilt was. When he was in the mood. Which was often.

 

[Hornsstampede2.0]

Mike D'Antoni and his goofy system can make anyone look like a dominant offensive superstar regular season.
Their numbers are not the same when they play for other teams.

And it always ends in playoff disappointment.
Even a single title wont change that fact, the D'Antoni system creates inflated offensive regular season numbers.

It is easy to shut it down in a 7 game series with any competent Big Men defensive play and counterattack guards.

 

[jontaejones]

Obviously James Harden will never be a two-way player. But just that one thing, as an offensive threat (scoring, assists, etc), is it fair to call him the best ever?

I would say most overall offensively skilled player of all time.

I don't think any of the older players could hang because they couldn't really shoot the 3.

He certainly wouldn't be the guy I'd want if I needed a bucket to win at the end of the game.

 

[gordontrue]

Factoring in his foul-drawing abilities, yeah, maybe.

And its not just the free throws he gets from it. His defenders have to back off and be more careful / less aggressive because of it, which gives him more room to operate.

 

[Mecca]

Ever?

I think these guys are better scorers.

Kareem, Wilt, pre-fat Shaq, Durant....Curry pre-Durant.

He's a better shooter than Kobe, Jordan, Iverson.

But, with the game on the line, I'm taking Jordan over Harden.

....not Kobe.

Because, I'd rather lose than take Kobe.

But, if we add assists to the equation, I'd take LeBron over him.

......I want to say Magic too. But, because he was never focused on scoring as much, that feels disingenuous.

So....Lebron is all I got.

 

[bksballer89]

Barkley agrees with @msgkings322

 

[Mecca]

Barkley agrees with @msgkings322

I initially recoiled at the thought.

But, as I sat and tried to make a case for other guys, it became abundantly clear that I couldn't....lol

Maybe LeBron and a uninjured Curry.

Maybe.

 

[CitySushi]

Skillset-wise? Absolutely.

He does it all in terms of being a complete offensive player. The only thing he might be missing is a post game, but other than that he's elite at every other aspect that you would want in a player. Handle, Shooting, Driving, Passing, Drawing Fouls, Can create off the dribble, etc.

Lebron I think is a close second.

After Lebron, I think it's Curry, Jordan, and Kobe, but I'm not sure what order. Jordan and Kobe both had a post game, which Curry does not. Curry possesses the 3 point shot that neither of them had. Slight edge maybe to Curry in passing and handle, but not by a ton. Jordan and Kobe better at creating their own shot on an iso. Curry, Jordan and Kobe all have massive effects on the defense shifting to them, Curry up top and Jordan and Kobe on the post. Tough to say really for me.

Again these rankings for me are purely on offensive skill set only. It's NOT a matter of who is actually the better NBA player now or all time.

 

[jontaejones]

It's also a little bit of a tricky question.

Because offensive player could mean, who can put the ball in the bucket easiest and more often than not. In that case, it's like Shaq in his prime. Harden has a pretty shitty FG% and is sorta a volume shooter.

If it's the guy who has just the most skills with the ball in his hand regardless of athletic ability, then maybe Steve Nash.

 

[shopson67]

Ever?

I think these guys are better scorers.

Kareem, Wilt, pre-fat Shaq, Durant....Curry pre-Durant.

He's a better shooter than Kobe, Jordan, Iverson.

But, with the game on the line, I'm taking Jordan over Harden.

....not Kobe.

Because, I'd rather lose than take Kobe.

But, if we add assists to the equation, I'd take LeBron over him.

......I want to say Magic too. But, because he was never focused on scoring as much, that feels disingenuous.

So....Lebron is all I got.

The hate is strong with this one...

 

[Scapegoat]

George Gervin - Wikipedia

 

[Scapegoat]

Jerry West - Wikipedia

 

[Scapegoat]

Alex English - Wikipedia

 

[Wamu]

Obviously James Harden will never be a two-way player. But just that one thing, as an offensive threat (scoring, assists, etc), is it fair to call him the best ever?

Call him the best ever? I'll compare him to another G, The Big O.

Robertson: 5x averaged 30+ ppg & 10.5+ asts. Averaged @ least 30 ppg 6x.
Harden: has never averaged 30 & 10. Averaged @ least 30 once.