James Harden is a superstar

[lorak]

So bad finals means player isn't superstar? Well, if that's the case - LeBron isn't superstar, because he was awful in 2011 finals.

[Vinsanity420]

So a couple bad games in the finals at Age 22 have proved that Harden can''t be elite? It's still safe to say he'll have a Ginobili type of impact in the league like OP states. And his numbers have dropped off from the regular season to the playoffs, so I don't know why anyone would point to this as discrediting stats. It really makes you look silly.

[Black Feet]

So bad finals means player isn't superstar? Well, if that's the case - LeBron isn't superstar, because he was awful in 2011 finals.

Well Lebron was superstar before the finals, what warrants Harden being a superstar? The guy will never be a superstar, just a great role player.

[Doormatt]

his point is judging players on one series is massively (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

[Rapcity_11]

For all those saying Harden will only be a great roleplayer:

He's already at the worst at great roleplayer. He's 22 years old with a great skill set. Why can't he be more?

[lukekarts]

So bad finals means player isn't superstar? Well, if that's the case - LeBron isn't superstar, because he was awful in 2011 finals.

There is a huge discrepancy though. Yes, LeBron is a superstar, who had a terrible Finals.

But put this into context, LeBron's 2011 Finals: 17.8 points (47.7%), 4 rebounds, 6 assists

James Harden's 2012: 10.8 points (35.1%), 5 rebounds, 3.3 assists.

Yes LeBron choked, but LeBron is a true superstar. Harden being so bad this series is not a blip in his superstardom, it's because he's not a superstar, not even close.

And yes, this is an 'I told you so' bump, because I made the point earlier that Harden has to prove bastillon right or wrong by taking more scoring load and proving something on a big stage. He hasn't. He might become a star, but definitely isn't one now.

[The Infamous1]

comparing James Harden to Lebron James.

Give up the ghost

[ahonui06]

All the advanced stats gurus who were touting as a superstar in the beginning of the season when this thread were made are nowhere to be found.

[Rerisen]

Never thought JH was a superstar. Star maybe.

However, guy is still putting up 20.9 PER, and .600 TS% in the playoffs.

Last year Jason Terry's miraculous run was 20.3 PER, .604 TS%.

I can understand weighting the Finals heavily of course, but they aren't over yet, and its a pretty small sample. Dwyane Wade is a 'superstar' for sure right, and look at some of the series he's had the last two years (Bulls, Celts, etc).

[irving2eyenga]

jesus christ talk about knee jerk reaction....

[XXIV]

Never thought JH was a superstar. Star maybe.

However, guy is still putting up 20.9 PER, and .600 TS% in the playoffs.

Last year Jason Terry's miraculous run was 20.3 PER, .604 TS%.

I can understand weighting the Finals heavily of course, but they aren't over yet, and its a pretty small sample. Dwyane Wade is a 'superstar' for sure right, and look at some of the series he's had the last two years (Bulls, Celts, etc).

Including the Finals he's averaging those numbers?

[Ayt]

Love to bring this up

And i can say - I SAID SO

I always said this dude was overrated and not max player and people called me a hater. (see the dude ^^ above)

Just lol to all the moronic guys willing to throw max money in this dude

He was exposed against Miami. i would love to see a team trying to use him as a go-to player. He is K-Mart + the beard.

He's easily a max player.

[jr lucosa]

I'd give J-Whistle the max in a second.

[Rapcity_11]

All the advanced stats gurus who were touting as a superstar in the beginning of the season when this thread were made are nowhere to be found.

Bastillon, you mean? He's the only one really claiming Harden as a superstar. And he hasn't posted on any threads in a while.

And Rerisen brought up a great point, even with the finals his overall postseason is fantastic for a 3rd year 22 year old. Look at what KD did in the postseason as a 3rd year guy.

[JordansBulls]

All the advanced stats gurus who were touting as a superstar in the beginning of the season when this thread were made are nowhere to be found.

Bastillon, you mean? He's the only one really claiming Harden as a superstar. And he hasn't posted on any threads in a while.

And Rerisen brought up a great point, even with the finals his overall postseason is fantastic for a 3rd year 22 year old. Look at what KD did in the postseason as a 3rd year guy.

This, not to mention only a 6th man. What more can you expect?

[tsherkin]

To the guys touting Harden as a max player, do you know what that value implies?

That kind of careless spending is exactly the sort of tom-foolery that ruins team finances for years at a time. Harden isn't a franchise player; he's a talented guy critical to their success and he's performing very well off of the bench but that doesn't make him a max level player. Certainly not predicated upon the role he has played thus far. Max money equates him to Durant, Lebron, etc in value, which is laughably absurd.

[shobe_24]

To the guys touting Harden as a max player, do you know what that value implies?

That kind of careless spending is exactly the sort of tom-foolery that ruins team finances for years at a time. Harden isn't a franchise player; he's a talented guy critical to their success and he's performing very well off of the bench but that doesn't make him a max level player. Certainly not predicated upon the role he has played thus far. Max money equates him to Durant, Lebron, etc in value, which is laughably absurd.

Our country is based on reckless spending so why stop now? /Rhetorical

[brownbobcat]

To the guys touting Harden as a max player, do you know what that value implies?

That kind of careless spending is exactly the sort of tom-foolery that ruins team finances for years at a time. Harden isn't a franchise player; he's a talented guy critical to their success and he's performing very well off of the bench but that doesn't make him a max level player. Certainly not predicated upon the role he has played thus far. Max money equates him to Durant, Lebron, etc in value, which is laughably absurd.

Actually, it doesn't. Durant and LeBron are probably underpaid due to the cap on player salaries. Furthermore, "max" money is different depending on years of experience. Kobe, Carmelo and Durant are all "max" players. Their respective salaries are $25 mil, $18 mil and $15 mil. Pretty basic stuff.

[Doormatt]

To the guys touting Harden as a max player, do you know what that value implies?

That kind of careless spending is exactly the sort of tom-foolery that ruins team finances for years at a time. Harden isn't a franchise player; he's a talented guy critical to their success and he's performing very well off of the bench but that doesn't make him a max level player. Certainly not predicated upon the role he has played thus far. Max money equates him to Durant, Lebron, etc in value, which is laughably absurd.

max money does not equate him to those players, it equates him to guys like love, bynum, aldridge, etc. who have also received the maximum.

the max for harden is not the same money as the max for players who have been in the league longer.

[tsherkin]

max money does not equate him to those players, it equates him to guys like love, bynum, aldridge, etc. who have also received the maximum.

Right, it relates him to those players AS WELL, but not solely. It implies that there are no players in the league who are valued more highly, which is obviously asinine. Yes, there are financial differences between a max contract for him and a max contract for a guy who has been grandfathered in from a previous CBA or has longer tenure, etc, but giving him the max available cash is not a sensible plan.