The Brooklyn Beard - Official James Harden thread

[CalamityX12]

He's the best Caris Levert we had since... Caris LeVert lol

[Suwanee]

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Harden is a record breaking machine. We Rox fans have enjoyed it for years. Now it's Nets turn.

It's going to be harder for him to break individual records left and right now that he doesn't have to carry the entire team on his back. But those duo/trio records are up for take. Mind you some of the records are so obscure that you wonder who's keeping them, like this one: 2nd-most in a duo's first two games with a franchise. WTH.

[Paradise]

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He’s extremely close to averaging 50/40/90 while leading the league in assists and he’s not even remotely close to his best basketball.

[Openheimer]

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He’s extremely close to averaging 50/40/90 while leading the league in assists and he’s not even remotely close to his best basketball.

Harden is probaly the only guy in the league currently that could average 39 or even up to 42 points a game for an entire season. if he wanted to but he has put wining and becoming a playmaker above all else. That’s admirable

[Paradise]

He’s breaking stat records every game!

Read on Twitter

[Openheimer]

The Nets are also 12 points better on defense when harden is on the floor...

[Prokorov]

Harden is a beast... he is similar to KD in that even when he has a bad game, he still has a good game.

Like his shot wasnt what it usually is last night, he didnt get to the FT as much as normal, but still posts a 23 point 15 assist triple double. KD was "quiet" last night and still dropped 30/10 on 85% shooting on the best wing defender in the NBA.

[MrDollarBills]

The Nets are also 12 points better on defense when harden is on the floor...

Which is insane to me, but then you see how he defends in the post and rebounds on the defensive glass and it isn't surprising.

[Openheimer]

Harden is leading the league in clutch points this season with 58 followed by Durant 56 points at number 2.what a luxury the Nets currently have

[Prokorov]

Harden is leading the league in clutch points this season with 58 followed by Durant 56 points at number 2.what a luxury the Nets currently have

id assume kyrie is right there too

[Openheimer]

Harden is leading the league in clutch points this season with 58 followed by Durant 56 points at number 2.what a luxury the Nets currently have

id assume kyrie is right there too

Number 8 with 45. That is three Nets players in the top ten clutch players and two in the top two

[Openheimer]

Hardens current ranking in clutch situations

Number 1 : 58 clutch points 15-28 shooting (53 percent)6-11 3pt (54percent)

Number 1 : 16assists

Number 5:16 rebounds

Number 1: 22+ plus 17.7 NETRTG

Pretty much the best scorer and passer in the league in the clutch

[Ksny13]

Longtime Harden fan here dating back to his ASU days. I was wondering how everyone felt about him? It's comical how the media has flipped on him and now they are all acting like he's changed up his game and became this elite playmaker. It just goes to show you how much they paid attention to Harden and The Rockets over the years. He has routinely been a top 3 player since the 14-15 season and an elite playmaker and scorer since he got to Houston. His defense at times leaves a lot to be desired but he's not a negative on the court like he use to be. When fully engaged he is a pest in the passing lanes. He's also a very very good low post defender.

I'm really pulling for Brooklyn to win it all this year but I'm not sure that's possible with Nash and his coaching and not having any interior paint presence. Being routinely crushed on the glass with out causing TOs is a recipe for disaster. MDA excelled at small ball because he had the proper guys to run it like Ariza, PJ Tucker, Robert Covington and Luc Mbah Moute and they got beat on the glass but caused a ton of TOs and played excellent defense so small ball isn't a valid option with this current Brooklyn team. I'm hoping Ariza gets bought out he's very tight with Harden and would help Brooklyn tremendously. I have my doubts about Andre Drummond actually getting bought out so I really think Brooklyn needs to turn their attention to McGee. They don't need to be top 10 on the defensive end they just need to average. Ariza and McGee with better coaching from Nash and MDA will get you guys there defensively. Look forward to talking hoops!

[Prokorov]

Longtime Harden fan here dating back to his ASU days. I was wondering how everyone felt about him? It's comical how the media has flipped on him and now they are all acting like he's changed up his game and became this elite playmaker. It just goes to show you how much they paid attention to Harden and The Rockets over the years. He has routinely been a top 3 player since the 14-15 season and an elite playmaker and scorer since he got to Houston. His defense at times leaves a lot to be desired but he's not a negative on the court like he use to be. When fully engaged he is a pest in the passing lanes. He's also a very very good low post defender.

I'm really pulling for Brooklyn to win it all this year but I'm not sure that's possible with Nash and his coaching and not having any interior paint presence. Being routinely crushed on the glass with out causing TOs is a recipe for disaster. MDA excelled at small ball because he had the proper guys to run it like Ariza, PJ Tucker, Robert Covington and Luc Mbah Moute and they got beat on the glass but caused a ton of TOs and played excellent defense so small ball isn't a valid option with this current Brooklyn team. I'm hoping Ariza gets bought out he's very tight with Harden and would help Brooklyn tremendously. I have my doubts about Andre Drummond actually getting bought out so I really think Brooklyn needs to turn their attention to McGee. They don't need to be top 10 on the defensive end they just need to average. Ariza and McGee with better coaching from Nash and MDA will get you guys there defensively. Look forward to talking hoops!

Love Harden. he has been good. with a good coach who plays to his strengths he would be even better. he spends way too much time without a rim rolling big. he gets so many easy buckets for jordan.

[MrDollarBills]

Longtime Harden fan here dating back to his ASU days. I was wondering how everyone felt about him? It's comical how the media has flipped on him and now they are all acting like he's changed up his game and became this elite playmaker. It just goes to show you how much they paid attention to Harden and The Rockets over the years. He has routinely been a top 3 player since the 14-15 season and an elite playmaker and scorer since he got to Houston. His defense at times leaves a lot to be desired but he's not a negative on the court like he use to be. When fully engaged he is a pest in the passing lanes. He's also a very very good low post defender.

I'm really pulling for Brooklyn to win it all this year but I'm not sure that's possible with Nash and his coaching and not having any interior paint presence. Being routinely crushed on the glass with out causing TOs is a recipe for disaster. MDA excelled at small ball because he had the proper guys to run it like Ariza, PJ Tucker, Robert Covington and Luc Mbah Moute and they got beat on the glass but caused a ton of TOs and played excellent defense so small ball isn't a valid option with this current Brooklyn team. I'm hoping Ariza gets bought out he's very tight with Harden and would help Brooklyn tremendously. I have my doubts about Andre Drummond actually getting bought out so I really think Brooklyn needs to turn their attention to McGee. They don't need to be top 10 on the defensive end they just need to average. Ariza and McGee with better coaching from Nash and MDA will get you guys there defensively. Look forward to talking hoops!

Man I like the guy a lot, I was pessimistic at first due to the nature of how he left Houston and his off court lifestyle but the guy has done nothing but try to fit in and make everyone around him better. I wish he would actually look for his shot more often, sometimes he is too unselfish.

I feel like he hasn't even reached 1/5th of what he will really be once we work out the roster kinks and as he continues to round himself into peak season form.

[Ksny13]

Longtime Harden fan here dating back to his ASU days. I was wondering how everyone felt about him? It's comical how the media has flipped on him and now they are all acting like he's changed up his game and became this elite playmaker. It just goes to show you how much they paid attention to Harden and The Rockets over the years. He has routinely been a top 3 player since the 14-15 season and an elite playmaker and scorer since he got to Houston. His defense at times leaves a lot to be desired but he's not a negative on the court like he use to be. When fully engaged he is a pest in the passing lanes. He's also a very very good low post defender.

I'm really pulling for Brooklyn to win it all this year but I'm not sure that's possible with Nash and his coaching and not having any interior paint presence. Being routinely crushed on the glass with out causing TOs is a recipe for disaster. MDA excelled at small ball because he had the proper guys to run it like Ariza, PJ Tucker, Robert Covington and Luc Mbah Moute and they got beat on the glass but caused a ton of TOs and played excellent defense so small ball isn't a valid option with this current Brooklyn team. I'm hoping Ariza gets bought out he's very tight with Harden and would help Brooklyn tremendously. I have my doubts about Andre Drummond actually getting bought out so I really think Brooklyn needs to turn their attention to McGee. They don't need to be top 10 on the defensive end they just need to average. Ariza and McGee with better coaching from Nash and MDA will get you guys there defensively. Look forward to talking hoops!

Man I like the guy a lot, I was pessimistic at first due to the nature of how he left Houston and his off court lifestyle but the guy has done nothing but try to fit in and make everyone around him better. I wish he would actually look for his shot more often, sometimes he is too unselfish.

I feel like he hasn't even reached 1/5th of what he will really be once we work out the roster kinks and as he continues to round himself into peak season form.

I definitely can understand how his fall out appeared from outside of Houston fans perspective but the owner of The Rockets has done nothing but cut costs since he got there. He took a team that was on the cusp of a championship ship and contrary to what the media tells you he shipped CP3 off for Westbrook simply because he felt CPs contract was the worst in the league. People like to point at James for that trade but Tilman was the driving force. When he didn't bring back Ariza after the 17-18 season that really rubbed a lot of the vets on the team the wrong way. Harden isn't and never will a locker room problem or a low character guy. What he did in Houston was very overblown. He wanted to get a way from a toxic owner and did what he had to do. As long as Brooklyn puts winning first and foremost that's all Harden asks.

One thing to keep note of regarding his passiveness is he never ever admits to injury. And a lot of us Rockets fans over the years figured out that when he starts to get passive it normally is coinciding with an injury he keeps on the DL. It wouldn't surprise me if it comes out later in the year he was battling it. Amazingly he also isn't in the best shape either. He is much much thicker (lol) now and he could really get back down to his much natural form and weight. He has an opportunity to join the 50-40-90 club in Brooklyn plus lead the league in assists while averaging 25 PPG and 7rebs a game. Definitely scary times. Really hope the defense gets sorted out. Can anyone weigh in on Marks and what he's like as a GM? Is he aggressive? He seems to be catering toward offense which is odd. That was one thing I loved about Morey he always went after the right players.

[Openheimer]

The best playmaker since J Kidd was rocking the Nets uniform

[MrDollarBills]

Longtime Harden fan here dating back to his ASU days. I was wondering how everyone felt about him? It's comical how the media has flipped on him and now they are all acting like he's changed up his game and became this elite playmaker. It just goes to show you how much they paid attention to Harden and The Rockets over the years. He has routinely been a top 3 player since the 14-15 season and an elite playmaker and scorer since he got to Houston. His defense at times leaves a lot to be desired but he's not a negative on the court like he use to be. When fully engaged he is a pest in the passing lanes. He's also a very very good low post defender.

I'm really pulling for Brooklyn to win it all this year but I'm not sure that's possible with Nash and his coaching and not having any interior paint presence. Being routinely crushed on the glass with out causing TOs is a recipe for disaster. MDA excelled at small ball because he had the proper guys to run it like Ariza, PJ Tucker, Robert Covington and Luc Mbah Moute and they got beat on the glass but caused a ton of TOs and played excellent defense so small ball isn't a valid option with this current Brooklyn team. I'm hoping Ariza gets bought out he's very tight with Harden and would help Brooklyn tremendously. I have my doubts about Andre Drummond actually getting bought out so I really think Brooklyn needs to turn their attention to McGee. They don't need to be top 10 on the defensive end they just need to average. Ariza and McGee with better coaching from Nash and MDA will get you guys there defensively. Look forward to talking hoops!

Man I like the guy a lot, I was pessimistic at first due to the nature of how he left Houston and his off court lifestyle but the guy has done nothing but try to fit in and make everyone around him better. I wish he would actually look for his shot more often, sometimes he is too unselfish.

I feel like he hasn't even reached 1/5th of what he will really be once we work out the roster kinks and as he continues to round himself into peak season form.

I definitely can understand how his fall out appeared from outside of Houston fans perspective but the owner of The Rockets has done nothing but cut costs since he got there. He took a team that was on the cusp of a championship ship and contrary to what the media tells you he shipped CP3 off for Westbrook simply because he felt CPs contract was the worst in the league. People like to point at James for that trade but Tilman was the driving force. When he didn't bring back Ariza after the 17-18 season that really rubbed a lot of the vets on the team the wrong way. Harden isn't and never will a locker room problem or a low character guy. What he did in Houston was very overblown. He wanted to get a way from a toxic owner and did what he had to do. As long as Brooklyn puts winning first and foremost that's all Harden asks.

One thing to keep note of regarding his passiveness is he never ever admits to injury. And a lot of us Rockets fans over the years figured out that when he starts to get passive it normally is coinciding with an injury he keeps on the DL. It wouldn't surprise me if it comes out later in the year he was battling it. Amazingly he also isn't in the best shape either. He is much much thicker (lol) now and he could really get back down to his much natural form and weight. He has an opportunity to join the 50-40-90 club in Brooklyn plus lead the league in assists while averaging 25 PPG and 7rebs a game. Definitely scary times. Really hope the defense gets sorted out. Can anyone weigh in on Marks and what he's like as a GM? Is he aggressive? He seems to be catering toward offense which is odd. That was one thing I loved about Morey he always went after the right players.

Marks is a solid GM who managed to take us from one of the worst situations in the league to this. However, he has now the tough job of shaping this roster into a championship caliber one which is going to test him as a GM. He's done a great job of finding gems in the rough but now he needs to get more veterans on this team

[gigantes]

The Nets are also 12 points better on defense when harden is on the floor...

Which is insane to me, but then you see how he defends in the post and rebounds on the defensive glass and it isn't surprising.

From what I've seen, I also like Harden's effort when he's in space, guarding his man. He seems truly concerned with not letting the guy drive, and concerned with not allowing easy entry passes.

So the biggest defensive knock on the Beard is, what-- that he does a mediocre job navigating traffic and a terrible job fighting through screens? Anything else?

Checking his RAP-BPM just now, I see his defensive rating is somehow a touch worse than even Kyrie's (-3.5 vs. -3.4). Also kind of surprising that Joe's defense RAP-BPM is second-best on the team (+.6), while Brown is only at +.1, i.e. almost neutral. Brown's undoubtedly hurt by his teammates' play, of course. Meanwhile, our top dog (Nwaba) from last season has apparently been killing it with the Rox, at a +4.9 defensive rating.

.

Yeah... I still have this pretty nauseous feeling that we got absolutely torched in the Harden deal. At least, when it comes down to what we were left with. Regardless of all the draft picks given away, I have to think that sending out DWid and keeping Fro was absolutely essential. Speaking of Jarrett, in terms of RAP-BPM, he's been the Cav's best player by a huge margin (+1.2 OFF, +4.1 DEF, +5.3 TOT, 2.6 WAR).

Just... damn. :/

[therealbig3]

He's been dropping the ball the last few games. I expected a lot better out of him not gonna lie. He's one of those players that's always going to have a pretty stat line, but can be really underwhelming when you actually watch him play.

He needs to step it up.