Harden is the best player in the NBA

[ken6199]

Harden should be given the opportunity to prove that he is. If he can consistently beat the Warriors, the Cavs, the Spurs and the Celtics throughout the season then I will not outright deny him. For the label to stick though he needs to win a championship. He is up against formidable competition. For comparison Curry led his team to a championship and a 73-9 record yet he is still doubted.

A very mature answer this is.

Lebron
Durant
Kawhi
Curry

Are all better players

See above. I think if you look at the past 5 year span instead of just one year, Harden is right up there as good as anyone, consistently through the thick and thin of his team. You can argue he is THE best offensive player over that past 5 year span, whether averaging his conventional stats, or advanced stats. Then you look at his teammates and the resource he has had around him, compared to his peers (super stacked all star team, Kerr, Gentry, Pop, MVP level teammates etc).

Now, in no way I am saying Harden is the best player overall, or even top 3 can be a stretch career wise, accomplishment wise. But just like the above poster said, maybe it's time we start to give him a chance to prove it. Harden certainly has as good bball IQ (if not better) compared to Curry and LeBron, and he is at least a better and more complete offensive weapon than more than one of those top 5 guys (if not all).

[G35]

+1

How Richard Jefferson comes in with his mug face is right on time......

[NBARocks]

Not by a long shot. Lebron, KD, Curry, Kawhi.

[cpower]

for the regular season yeah but lets wait until the PS. Too early to claim the best before the full year

[Gil]

Do people realize Harden's having a better season than Curry in 15/16 lol? Like he's doing historic **** so far this year.

[Gil]

Not by a long shot. Lebron, KD, Curry, Kawhi.

You forgot Westbrook, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis & Giannis.

[313 Professor]

Harden can't move up until the playoffs. He's crumbled too hard then for me to care about his regular seasons no matter how great. And CP3 can't carry him either. I like the Rockets a lot. Harden's still 7th. #1 Stepback contested 3 though.

CP3 might be the perfect teammate for Harden. Mentally.

[sicknastydunker]

Harden is clearly top 5 , but Lebron is #1.

The top 5 are pretty clear to me.

Lebron is #1

then the next 4 are really hard to rank. In no particular order

Kawhi
Harden
KD
Curry

with Westbrook as the clear #6

[KnightofHyrule]

Before a 40 year old ends his season again. Relax.

[og15]

Not by a long shot. Lebron, KD, Curry, Kawhi.

You forgot Westbrook, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis & Giannis.

I'm assuming there's some tongue in cheek here, but if we're talking about "better" than Harden, then George and Thompson shouldn't even be there, and I question the AD addition even though I know he's beloved.

This season though, Westbrook has no argument, and they were already neck and neck before anyways.

[WarriorGM]

Do people realize Harden's having a better season than Curry in 15/16 lol? Like he's doing historic **** so far this year.

Curry 15/16 at this stage of the year I think was still more impressive. The Warriors started out 24-0. Curry's numbers in February would have been records if sustained but they tailed off towards the end of the season.

[Impuniti]

Not by a long shot. Lebron, KD, Curry, Kawhi.

You forgot Westbrook, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis & Giannis.

There is absolutely no reason you should get angry for people rating those 4 above him. The level of homerism to even be offended is absurd. He's been a total embarrassment the last few years in the playoffs, especially in elimination games he's lost. Kawhi is debatable since he has a lot to prove himself, but there's nothing surprising with people putting him above Harden since it's quite debatable.

If you look at the superstars of the league, Harden leads far and away as the most pathetic performer in the last few years in the post season. He's been amazing this year and if this continues, will rightfully sweep the MVP award. But in regards to passing his opposition, we'll see what happens in the playoffs this year. If Rockets finish 2nd, he has a chance to prove himself vs Kawhi. Then comes Gold State.

[Gil]

Not by a long shot. Lebron, KD, Curry, Kawhi.

You forgot Westbrook, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis & Giannis.

There is absolutely no reason you should get angry for people rating those 4 above him. The level of homerism to even be offended is absurd. He's been a total embarrassment the last few years in the playoffs, especially in elimination games he's lost. Kawhi is debatable since he has a lot to prove himself, but there's nothing surprising with people putting him above Harden since it's quite debatable.

If you look at the superstars of the league, Harden leads far and away as the most pathetic performer in the last few years in the post season. He's been amazing this year and if this continues, will rightfully sweep the MVP award. But in regards to passing his opposition, we'll see what happens in the playoffs this year. If Rockets finish 2nd, he has a chance to prove himself vs Kawhi. Then comes Gold State.

Harden has made the WCF 3 times & the Finals once. "Most pathetic playoff performer". Wow.

[gmoney411]

You forgot Westbrook, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis & Giannis.

There is absolutely no reason you should get angry for people rating those 4 above him. The level of homerism to even be offended is absurd. He's been a total embarrassment the last few years in the playoffs, especially in elimination games he's lost. Kawhi is debatable since he has a lot to prove himself, but there's nothing surprising with people putting him above Harden since it's quite debatable.

If you look at the superstars of the league, Harden leads far and away as the most pathetic performer in the last few years in the post season. He's been amazing this year and if this continues, will rightfully sweep the MVP award. But in regards to passing his opposition, we'll see what happens in the playoffs this year. If Rockets finish 2nd, he has a chance to prove himself vs Kawhi. Then comes Gold State.

Harden has made the WCF 3 times & the Finals once. "Most pathetic playoff performer". Wow.

People love to overstate Harden's playoff failures. He's had plenty of success and has never had a reliable sidekick. I can't think of many players not named LeBron in the last decade that has done more with less.

[Impuniti]

You forgot Westbrook, Paul George, Klay Thompson, Anthony Davis & Giannis.

There is absolutely no reason you should get angry for people rating those 4 above him. The level of homerism to even be offended is absurd. He's been a total embarrassment the last few years in the playoffs, especially in elimination games he's lost. Kawhi is debatable since he has a lot to prove himself, but there's nothing surprising with people putting him above Harden since it's quite debatable.

If you look at the superstars of the league, Harden leads far and away as the most pathetic performer in the last few years in the post season. He's been amazing this year and if this continues, will rightfully sweep the MVP award. But in regards to passing his opposition, we'll see what happens in the playoffs this year. If Rockets finish 2nd, he has a chance to prove himself vs Kawhi. Then comes Gold State.

Harden has made the WCF 3 times & the Finals once. "Most pathetic playoff performer". Wow.

Do you really want me to start listing how he played at the end of games. It will take me some time but I can go ahead and point it how out he does every one of those guys in pathetic performances during elimination games. He's far and away worse than all 4 guys in PS by a large margin throughout his career. And listing the 3 WCF and 1 NBA final in some awful list wars seems silly since all 4 have a better resume here.

[gmoney411]

There is absolutely no reason you should get angry for people rating those 4 above him. The level of homerism to even be offended is absurd. He's been a total embarrassment the last few years in the playoffs, especially in elimination games he's lost. Kawhi is debatable since he has a lot to prove himself, but there's nothing surprising with people putting him above Harden since it's quite debatable.

If you look at the superstars of the league, Harden leads far and away as the most pathetic performer in the last few years in the post season. He's been amazing this year and if this continues, will rightfully sweep the MVP award. But in regards to passing his opposition, we'll see what happens in the playoffs this year. If Rockets finish 2nd, he has a chance to prove himself vs Kawhi. Then comes Gold State.

Harden has made the WCF 3 times & the Finals once. "Most pathetic playoff performer". Wow.

Do you really want me to start listing how he played at the end of games. It will take me some time but I can go ahead and point it how out he does every one of those guys in pathetic performances during elimination games. He's far and away worse than all 4 guys in PS by a large margin throughout his career. And listing the 3 WCF and 1 NBA final in some awful list wars seems silly since all 4 have a better resume here.

All the other players have been in better situations and didn't have to carry their team's offense outside of LeBron occasionally. And even LeBron has had Wade, Bosh, Kyrie, and Love. All of which are high level scorers.

[Tiesto_Lakers]

I think Lonzo Ball is.

[INKtastic]

I think Lonzo Ball is.

LaVar, is that you?

[Collymore]

Harden has already passed Kobe and he is gunning for Wades spot as the second GOAT guard.

[Impuniti]

Harden has made the WCF 3 times & the Finals once. "Most pathetic playoff performer". Wow.

Do you really want me to start listing how he played at the end of games. It will take me some time but I can go ahead and point it how out he does every one of those guys in pathetic performances during elimination games. He's far and away worse than all 4 guys in PS by a large margin throughout his career. And listing the 3 WCF and 1 NBA final in some awful list wars seems silly since all 4 have a better resume here.

All the other players have been in better situations and didn't have to carry their team's offense outside of LeBron occasionally. And even LeBron has had Wade, Bosh, Kyrie, and Love. All of which are high level scorers.

Did that include the time where he played vs superstar players like Draymond and Klay when Curry was out to completely **** the bed? Or was the offensive load the reason why he averaged 8 turnovers per game in the last 3 games of the last 3 years he got eliminated by another team?