Will James Harden be a future all-star

[eagleye]

Do you guys think Harden will make the all-star team in the future

what do you think he can average in his prime?

what do you think he will average next season?

what does he have to improve on the most to get better?

I think next season he can get: 15ppg, 4Astpg, 3rbpg

in 3 seasons maybe: 20ppg, 5Apg, 4 rbpg

[slick_watts]

Depends. If he gets a mid range game and becomes a better finisher he could be an All Star caliber player.

At worst, I think he'll be a three point specialist scorer like a Rudy Fernandez. I'd say on average he becomes a pretty decent starter on the level of someone like prime Jason Terry - less assists and better (more versatile) defender. At best, if he can learn how to finish and gets a mid range game, I think he's on the Paul Pierce kind of level if everything goes right for him and he'll make a few All Star games.

I think solid starter is his best projection.

[NetsForce]

I think he's the real deal I just don't know if he'll realize his potential on OKC given the makeup of their team (and expected makeup in the future).

I'd love Harden on the Nets but given how high he was drafted NJ would probably have to overpay to get him...

[dream_catcher_9]

I love Harden. I could see him averaging 15/5/4 in his prime on great efficiency and good defense. On another team as a #1 option I could see him averaging 20 points.

[fallacy]

I don't think he'll ever make the allstar team on this thunder team, too many good players

[Jimmy76]

I don't think he'll ever make the allstar team on this thunder team, too many good players

pistons got 4 players with less talent overall

I can see Thunder getting 3 if they win 60 games (or are on pace for it at all star voting time)

[Durant]

His position on this team is kind of weird since we have Thabo, who is likely going to keep starting as a defensive specialist for awhile longer. However, once he does end up starting, I can see him putting up something like 18 ppg, 5 rebs and 4 assists.

[Zin5]

I could see him being worthy, but I doubt he'll ever get on while playing for the Thunder. Someone brought up Detroit getting four, that was because their talent was so distributed. You guys have one clear superstar in Durant and your second man going forward, who I'd expect to make a few all star games, is not Harden. I see Durant getting on perennially and Westbrook getting on quite a few, but Harden has to fight against Durant for points, and the rest of the West guards for a spot. And for you guys to break into that elite 60-70 win group, you'd definitely need another piece that's better than Harden (say if you get Bosh) who would also cast a shadow on him. When you have one player putting in 30 a night, it's harder for the rest of the team to get noticed.

[Jimmy76]

I could see him being worthy, but I doubt he'll ever get on while playing for the Thunder. Someone brought up Detroit getting four, that was because their talent was so distributed. You guys have one clear superstar in Durant and your second man going forward, who I'd expect to make a few all star games, is not Harden. I see Durant getting on perennially and Westbrook getting on quite a few, but Harden has to fight against Durant for points, and the rest of the West guards for a spot. And for you guys to break into that elite 60-70 win group, you'd definitely need another piece that's better than Harden (say if you get Bosh) who would also cast a shadow on him. When you have one player putting in 30 a night, it's harder for the rest of the team to get noticed.

thats a good point

but if Harden is starting on a 60 win team putting up 18-5-4 then i think he would have a decent shot

IMO the current core is capable of 60 with a decent center upgrade (and not playing Green at PF)

[Zin5]

I could see him being worthy, but I doubt he'll ever get on while playing for the Thunder. Someone brought up Detroit getting four, that was because their talent was so distributed. You guys have one clear superstar in Durant and your second man going forward, who I'd expect to make a few all star games, is not Harden. I see Durant getting on perennially and Westbrook getting on quite a few, but Harden has to fight against Durant for points, and the rest of the West guards for a spot. And for you guys to break into that elite 60-70 win group, you'd definitely need another piece that's better than Harden (say if you get Bosh) who would also cast a shadow on him. When you have one player putting in 30 a night, it's harder for the rest of the team to get noticed.

thats a good point

but if Harden is starting on a 60 win team putting up 18-5-4 then i think he would have a decent shot

IMO the current core is capable of 60 with a decent center upgrade (and not playing Green at PF)

That's a definite if though, because for just this season, OKC had 45 PPG devoted to two players in Westbrook and Durant that are going to be around for a long time. Harden is no doubt capable of being an 18-23 PPG scorer in this league, depending on scenario, but OKC's not really a scenario I ever see him putting that up. Personally, if I was a Thunder fan, at the very least I'd expect to use Green and that capspace to get a player that would be the third or even second star on that team for the next five years in the front court. Assuming that, Harden would be lucky to get the opportunity to put up 15 PPG with OKC.

In my opinion, it's whatever helps them win the most down the road. If Durant scoring 30 PPG a night is their best option, then they should keep it up and Harden has less of a chance. If Durant deferring to teammates a bit more and leveling down to about 25 PPG a night then there will be more opportunities for Harden.

Think about it from a historic perspective, outside of Pippen, what other wings have made the all star game when a superstar wing was also on the team?

[Jimmy76]

I could see him being worthy, but I doubt he'll ever get on while playing for the Thunder. Someone brought up Detroit getting four, that was because their talent was so distributed. You guys have one clear superstar in Durant and your second man going forward, who I'd expect to make a few all star games, is not Harden. I see Durant getting on perennially and Westbrook getting on quite a few, but Harden has to fight against Durant for points, and the rest of the West guards for a spot. And for you guys to break into that elite 60-70 win group, you'd definitely need another piece that's better than Harden (say if you get Bosh) who would also cast a shadow on him. When you have one player putting in 30 a night, it's harder for the rest of the team to get noticed.

thats a good point

but if Harden is starting on a 60 win team putting up 18-5-4 then i think he would have a decent shot

IMO the current core is capable of 60 with a decent center upgrade (and not playing Green at PF)

That's a definite if though, because for just this season, OKC had 45 PPG devoted to two players in Westbrook and Durant that are going to be around for a long time. Harden is no doubt capable of being an 18-23 PPG scorer in this league, depending on scenario, but OKC's not really a scenario I ever see him putting that up. Personally, if I was a Thunder fan, at the very least I'd expect to use Green and that capspace to get a player that would be the third or even second star on that team for the next five years in the front court. Assuming that, Harden would be lucky to get the opportunity to put up 15 PPG with OKC.

In my opinion, it's whatever helps them win the most down the road. If Durant scoring 30 PPG a night is their best option, then they should keep it up and Harden has less of a chance. If Durant deferring to teammates a bit more and leveling down to about 25 PPG a night then there will be more opportunities for Harden.

Think about it from a historic perspective, outside of Pippen, what other wings have made the all star game when a superstar wing was also on the team?

Also giving all of Green's touches to harden might be enough, green is averaging 15ppg so giving most of his touches and shots to someone averaging 10ppg and with the talent to do much more I think its possible alongside Westbrook and Durant. Especially if Westbrook keeps developing in the distribution direction.

[KnicksScholar24]

I haven't want Harden play much in the pros, but considering the Thunder's current team he's maybe the 4th or 5th option (behind Durant, Westbrook, Green, and possibly another player). He would atleast need to be a 2nd or 3rd option in order to put up enough points to make an all-star team. Skill-wise, who knows? He keeps working on his jumper and anything is possible. He had more freedom to shoot and create off-the-dribble in college.