Predict Harden's averages

Joel Embust · Post #1 » by **Joel Embust** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 1:54 pm

What will James Harden average during his rookie campaign?

He has to deal with Durant, Westbrook and Green for touches, but he's an unselfish player who can create for others.

15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 three per game in 32 minutes.

Post #2 » by **wizkid27** » Sun Jul 19, 2009 2:39 pm

I think you're definitely in the right ball park, but due to all of the wing players we've got, I'm going to go with less minutes. I also think he'll be hanging out on the perimeter enough to get a lot of open looks from 3:

14 pts, 3.5 rbs, 4 asts, .75 stl, 1.5 3s, 28 minutes.

Post #3 » by **kane2021** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 8:18 am

Clangus · Post #4 » by **Clangus** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 12:23 pm

Sonics-FAN wrote:What will James Harden average during his rookie campaign?

He has to deal with Durant, Westbrook and Green for touches, but he's an unselfish player who can create for others.

15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 three per game in 32 minutes.

Seems about right to me!

I weas thinking 13 ppg / 3.5reb and 5ass

wiff · Post #5 » by **wiff** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 3:57 pm

kane2021 wrote:

Kind of like your post! I love it when people only criticize and don't add any input of their own.

Sonics-FAN wrote:What will James Harden average during his rookie campaign?

He has to deal with Durant, Westbrook and Green for touches, but he's an unselfish player who can create for others.

15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal and 1 three per game in 32 minutes.

I think that is fairly reasonable. I say with numbers like that he makes the All-Rookie team.

TheOGJabroni · Post #6 » by **TheOGJabroni** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:59 pm

I was thinking about the same numbers as the OP. What should be more interesting are KD and Westbrook's numbers IMO.

I think KD's scoring will continue to rise, but even more efficiently as he had somewhat of a slow start last year and no great distributer on the team. Now, I expect him to start off just as he played since PJ was canned. And hopefully Harden's presence will help him as well. Dude can ball. Westbrook can now play a little off the ball with Harden and I would hope his TO's will drop even though SL showed otherwise, but let's face it, it's the SL. Along with a decrease in his TO's, I think you will see his shooting %'s dramatically improve.

Howler21 · Post #7 » by **Howler21** » Mon Jul 20, 2009 7:09 pm

As I see it, KD and Westbrook are going to continue picking up their scoring numbers as bos said. Adding Harden into the mix makes me wonder what the impact will be on Greens touches or wether he moves into that sixth man role.

I do see Westbrook becoming the second option once he can consistently finish at the rim so on the offensive end im unsure whose going to end up as the 3rd option in time. For now I think Greens numbers hold so I think Harden hovers more around the 12 ppg mark.

12.4/4/5?

HomieOmey · Post #8 » by **HomieOmey** » Mon Jul 27, 2009 5:07 am

12.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.8 APG

Those probably seem pretty low. I can easily see him being more of a scoring threat, but I think he'll just take what he can get more often than not. I'm sure we'll see some big games from him but I'm expecting him to play within the offense his first year.

i<3basketball · Post #9 » by **i<3basketball** » Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:54 pm

13.5 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4.2 APG

locus7 · Post #10 » by **locus7** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 6:26 am

Hi everyone, I'm a long-time lurker here who hardly ever posts. Just thought I'd come out of my shell to suggest that possibly Thabo starts with Harden being the main scorer with the 2nd unit - not because Thabo is better, but because the team would be more balanced that way. I could see Harden playing around 15 minutes, potentially reaching 25-30 as the season progresses & he gets used to the NBA.

Oh, and 12 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg.

Clangus · Post #11 » by **Clangus** » Thu Jul 30, 2009 7:20 am

locus7 wrote:Hi everyone, I'm a long-time lurker here who hardly ever posts. Just thought I'd come out of my shell to suggest that possibly Thabo starts with Harden being the main scorer with the 2nd unit - not because Thabo is better, but because the team would be more balanced that way. I could see Harden playing around 15 minutes, potentially reaching 25-30 as the season progresses & he gets used to the NBA.

Oh, and 12 ppg, 3 rpg, 2 apg.

That is a good idea. Really solid. I like Harden in teh starting lineup because he takes some pressure on Westbrooks playmaking, but you are right, teh second unit doens't really have firepower. That said Westbrok and KD will likely play 40 mins a peice. you dont have to have them resting at the same time, green too for that matter. As long as Brooks alternates the bench correctly we'll be fine.

Paeds · Post #12 » by **Paeds** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:00 am

Is Harden still starting?

Clangus · Post #13 » by **Clangus** » Tue Oct 20, 2009 4:21 am

Paeds wrote:Is Harden still starting?

judggeing by the presaeson results, numbers etc I'd say Thabo has the starting job.

So now i have to say I see Harden averaging

10pts 4rebs 2.5 ass per game.

wiff · Post #14 » by **wiff** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:15 am

I think it would be best for the whole team including Harden if he came in off the bench.

Let Thabo start. That gives Kevin and Jeff a chance to get rolling and he can man up on "D" with whatever wing is the tougher cover.

Then when Jeff needs a blow bring in Harden and Collison. It will allow Harden to touch the ball more often in the offense. Give him a chance to find a rhythm. Hopefully Harden can pick up the scoring where Jeff left off and Collison can bring the tough D that left with Thabo.

Harden is still going to get a ton of minutes and opportunities. Plus coming off the bench Harden can either get the starting SG when he is winded a bit or go up against the 1st SG off the bench. I think it gives the rookie more room for error without it biting you in the "ClayHole".

In general I'm not a big fan of tossing rookies in the frying pan unless they are on a veteran club where grizzled vets will clean up their mistakes.

I can see 13-15pts 4rebs and 3dimes still on the horizon for Harden.

Post #15 » by **wizkid27** » Thu Oct 22, 2009 4:51 am

wiff, totally agree that Harden coming off of the bench is best for the team, his numbers, and his future. Tough to say that you don't want the top rookie pick starting, but with the severe dearth of scoring on the bench, he has a chance to fill that very valuable "spark-plug" role on this team.

Paeds · Post #16 » by **Paeds** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:41 am

Clangus wrote:
Paeds wrote:Is Harden still starting?

judggeing by the presaeson results, numbers etc I'd say Thabo has the starting job.

So now i have to say I see Harden averaging

10pts 4rebs 2.5 ass per game.

It looked like they were alternating starting gigs from what I noticed

mavfan12 · Post #17 » by **mavfan12** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:22 pm

Interesting to see what you guys think of Harden. I followed him a lot at ASU and got to play him a couple times at the rec center there. You're getting a solid player, still needs a little work on jump shot consistency and his right hand, but he improved those areas significantly from freshman to sophomore year and I don't see why he won't continue to grow in that area. Great passer and rebounder for the position. Not sure if I see 15 points right away, maybe 13 on a high percentage to go with four boards and assists. He led the Pac-10 in steals, but that was almost always in a matchup zone so it'll be interesting to see how he adjusts to more man defense. I'm guessing a little over one per game there. Good luck this year guys.

DGALLO · Post #18 » by **DGALLO** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:41 am

I really like James Harden dont get me wrong I wanted him on my team. I am a Knicks fan but to say he is going to average 14 ,4,and 4 in 28 minutes is crazy

wizkid27 wrote:I think you're definitely in the right ball park, but due to all of the wing players we've got, I'm going to go with less minutes. I also think he'll be hanging out on the perimeter enough to get a lot of open looks from 3:

14 pts, 3.5 rbs, 4 asts, .75 stl, 1.5 3s, 28 minutes.

Post #19 » by **wizkid27** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 1:41 pm

There are a few guys in the league that averaged more than 14 points in less than 28 minutes. The common element seems to be that they were sixth men on a team without much scoring on the bench. Harden should definintely fit into that role, and I think the Thunder's bench will have about as little scoring (outside of Harden) as anyone else in the league. Even if he doesn't play well, he should be putting up 10-12 points per night and then on his better games where we get what we need to out of the bench, he should end up 16-18. Maybe I am crazy? Just think that's what our team needs from him in order to win more than about 30 games.

DGALLO · Post #20 » by **DGALLO** » Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:37 pm

Harden is a special talent and I do really like him i actually seeing him develop into a Brandon Roy type of player, but those numbers his rookie year are little too much ya 10-12 points is good he will be a scorer I'm not going to take that away from him but the boards and assists is where I get my opinion from. In fact I actually really like the Thunder too favorite team in the west I actually see you guys being a 38 win team around there.

wizkid27 wrote:There are a few guys in the league that averaged more than 14 points in less than 28 minutes. The common element seems to be that they were sixth men on a team without much scoring on the bench. Harden should definintely fit into that role, and I think the Thunder's bench will have about as little scoring (outside of Harden) as anyone else in the league. Even if he doesn't play well, he should be putting up 10-12 points per night and then on his better games where we get what we need to out of the bench, he should end up 16-18. Maybe I am crazy? Just think that's what our team needs from him in order to win more than about 30 games.