Who is better in 2024-2025? PG or James Harden?

[OkcSinceSGA]

Couple of people have mentioned they'd like to see it on the Sixers board, so figured can make it an official running thread for the season. Factor in what you've seen impact wise, numbers, fit and whatever else. I know PG has been in and out with injuries so you can add that in.

Harden: 22 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 8 apg, 1.5 SPG, 4.5 TO on 57% TS

PG: 17 ppg, 5 rpg, 5 apg, 2 SPG, 3 TO on 55% TS.

EPM: Harden 3.9, PG 2.8.

If you could snap your fingers and have either player for this year, or next year even, who would you take and why? I imagine the consensus may be Harden is having the better season, but PG is the better fit for Philly with McCain's emergence+Maxey playing PG?

I'm adding two polls baked into one, so you can select two options (one for this year, one for future).

[Negrodamus]

PG if Embiid is 100%.

He plays both ends of the court and Maxey isn’t this same C&S player he was with Harden. He’s not to the level of Harden as a creator, but he does enough. Harden would be a nightmare on this team right now with everyone injured.

[M2J]

Harden is great until he's not and then he's awful, but he's not great every year when it matters.

Rather have George as a guy that can truly fill the role of a secondary option. But truthfully, it would be great if both were in LA

[mjkvol]

Where is the 'Neither One' option?

[76ciology]

James Harden is shooting 39% from the field and averaging nearly 5 turnovers per game while being the focal point of the offense.

On the other hand, George, while slightly less efficient than last season, is still shooting a lot better than Harden. He has been great on defense and has proven to be a solid facilitator.

With winning as the ultimate goal, it’s hard to see success with Harden playing this kind of role at such low efficiency. George, however, fits better as a complementary piece—an “Alfred” to Maxey and Embiid—offering versatility without needing to dominate the offense.

Additionally, George’s skill set—shooting, facilitating, and defense from the wing—is far more appealing to most teams than Harden’s high-usage, inefficient style that requires the offense to revolve around him.

Reminds me of the Carmelo Anthony vs Andre Iguodala discussions back then.

[ivysixer2000]

No contest, Harden can't guard his shadow. On this team, its PG, no doubt in my mind.

Now Harden likes to be the whole team, the Clippers are perfect for that right now.

[Arsenal]

If there are no other stars, then Harden. After all, "he is the system."

If there are two other stars like we have (when healthy), then George. Can be effective either on or off-ball, and also plays defense.