Harden 22' vs Jrue 22'

[falcolombardi]

Two years prior, Harden was likely a top 5 player, it shows you how far he’s fallen that he’s being compared to a guy who wasn’t even all star caliber. Great defender in that Buck’s system for sure though.

Jrue is all star caliber tho

[No-more-rings]

Two years prior, Harden was likely a top 5 player, it shows you how far he’s fallen that he’s being compared to a guy who wasn’t even all star caliber. Great defender in that Buck’s system for sure though.

Jrue is all star caliber tho

You can make the case I suppose. But what is he at best top 25-30?

[70sFan]

Am I crazy for thinking the defensive gap isn't actually that massive? Obviously Jrue is in the upper tiers of defensive PGs but I also don't think Harden is the turns dial that he was at times in Houston, he's actually solidly average there now and with his size and length can provide value. Plus the fact that there's really only so much a POA or guard defender can do to impact the game. Obviously Jrue had a couple great defensive plays in the playoffs but does that swing the pendulum so much in the other direction that we ignore what I think is a clear gap offensively, even in Harden's declined state?

Not sure who'd I'd pick here but to me it's close.

I don't want to say you are crazy, but I don't understand how you can say the defensive gap isn't massive. It's just another post where I see the pattern. People don't value defense enough. As long as you are "above average" nothing else matters.

We're comparing here one of the best defenders ever at his position to a really weak one. No, I don't agree that Harden is above average. His effort has been horrible throughout the season, his lateral quickness doesn't exist and he has no value on defensive end.

Even if we assume that Harden is "above average", defensive defense still would be massive. Jrue is a game changer on defensive end, like very few guards in NBA history.

[Proxy]

I think James for most of this season was far worse than he was in his last few years in Houston on defense, definitely his worst defensive season in recent memory and a very clear, significant gap between him and Jrue there

[youngcrev]

If Harden can get himself in shape/healthy and have a bounce back year, it's him.

Jrue feels like the better bet though.

[JordansBulls]

Cmon guys we know the answer to this. Let's not suffer more with these type of questions when the world is what it is right now with wars against our biggest nemesis, pandemic, natural disasters, high inflation including homes, gas, food, cars, etc..

[jalengreen]

Cmon guys we know the answer to this. Let's not suffer more with these type of questions when the world is what it is right now with wars against our biggest nemesis, pandemic, natural disasters, high inflation including homes, gas, food, cars, etc..

huh?