Official 2015 NBA Offseason Thread.

I've already stated my reasons for Harden being better than Curry that has nothing to do with playoffs at all (if you look back on the conversations I stated Harden's efficiency and ability to draw fouls at a fairly amazing rate gives him the edge over a better shooting Curry). I typically try to avoid the rings argument/playoff success argument in most cases.

It's not a matter of making yourself feel better, but rather facing the reality that is sports- Games aren't called perfectly, some calls being worse than others. Most of the time, calls like the Parsons one gets called. Sometimes it doesn't. It's not so much about always winning as it is putting yourself in a position to win consistently. The NBA is like the NFL in some respects, one of which is future success/failure can be indicated by W-L record in close games.

Points per aren't the best stats, but when you keep in mind that curry has missed about 1 and 1/2 seasons from his ankles these look even worse for harden:

http://www.landofbasketball.com/player_comparison/c/stephen_curry_vs_james_harden.htm

@DaJuicyMan: It's not really about Points per game, it's the manner you get those points.

Harden plays at the thinnest position in Basketball. For whatever reason, SG position is extremely thin, while Curry plays at the most stacked position in the NBA.

Right, and Curry gets points at a way better shooting percentage.

Position depth dont matter in a player vs player talk wtf

LeBron, free advice:

STFU and stop diagnosing your team after every single game.

Not reading post?

I'll take the 5% drop in TS% in order to get my opp. in the penalty and best players off the court any day of the week (Harden draws on average 7 fouls per game, top 3 in the NBA with Cousins and Howard). Not only does Harden benefit from the fouls he draws, but so does the rest of the team.

Didn't you hear? He's the coach of the team, and a giant egomaniac, of course he's going to diagnose his team after every game. What a toolbag.

He's been annoying ever since returning to Cleveland. I don't care he left, it's just he's making it a huge spectacle. He really believes he's a savior and tries to act like one. He's like trying to be a sage of advice for his team, but he's really just hurting them.

@No_Hablo_Ingles: bro he benefits from soft refereeing. Post season, when they swallow the whistles just a bit, his usefulness decreases a lot. Dude just doesn't know how to get it done any other way. shit defensive player. average shooter.

Sheep. Following the NBA narrative instead of watching the games in order to gain your opinion.

Back what you say with stats, not words you steal from the mouths of ESPn talking heads.

PIE (Player Impact Estimate)- Harden is 3rd among qualifying players behind only Anthony Davis and Cousins.

The narrative of Harden being a bad defender is over. You can occasionally inattentive (which hasn't been the case this year), but not bad. The Dallas game a few days ago is further evidence of this; Dallas (who coming into the game was the #1 rated offense in the NBA) scored just 92 points on 37% shooting and shot 17% (6 for 35) from behind the arc. Was it Howard effect? Nope, Howard didn't even play. Not to say that Howard isn't needed (he is, he's the difference between our LEAGUE BEST defense and a slightly above average defense- 90 points per 100 possessions vs 100 points per 100 possessions). Harden actually defended Dirk on his game tying attempt, and guarded him as well as you could guard a 7 footer (crowded space, hands straight up, not jumping/sliding lower body underneath). Not to say Harden is an all-world defender but, defense has always been and will always be a team concept, and Harden has been playing within our defense scheme all year. He's not helping a pass away when his man is behind the arc for instance, not allowing backdoor cuts, etc. makes a world of difference.

BTW, Harden averages just as many fouls draws per game in the playoffs (7) as he does in the regular season. Harden's 'problems' (if you want to call 27 points, 6 assist, 5 rebounds and 2 steals a game a problem) comes more from a lack of fast break points than anything else. He draws just as many fouls as in the regular season.

Average shooter?

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2012/1031/grantland_kg_jharden_1152.jpg

Yeah dude, it's all talking heads gibberish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYJULACcao

I forget players don't improve over the off season. How about you watch him now?

As I said

"The narrative of Harden being a bad defender is over. You can say occasionally inattentive (which hasn't been the case this year), but not bad. The Dallas game a few days ago is further evidence of this; Dallas (who coming into the game was the #1 rated offense in the NBA) scored just 92 points on 37% shooting and shot 17% (6 for 35) from behind the arc."

Which NBA player currently leads the league in Defensive wins shares? James Harden

http://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/dws_yearly.html

We need some 76ers fans around here

Isiah Canaan.... today you became a man!

Rockets are holding teams high 80s/low 90s without our starting PG, PF and Center.

WOOAH!

@No_Hablo_Ingles: Harden could never do this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmmDsZzBnds#t=14

Curry does it a few times a month.

And here he is the next night (tonight) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmmDsZzBnds#t=14

If the MVP decision was between Curry and Harden, who would you give it to?

That was Curry's first time scoring 40 this year so far. It was a great game, and trust me, I respect Curry's talent, but saying can never do that?

Harden's first two games as a Rocket were like that. He went 7 for 12 downtown two games ago and he's doing this with 3/5 starters out.

I'm not certain at the moment who I would vote for, to be honest. So far, both are having great seasons. Curry's game is more aesthetically pleasing, but there are moments.... that Harden is just in a league of his own.

The Lakers, 2 in a row baby!

Hurting their lottery chances...

Yeah, just good to see a win now and then. I think the lottery is still a very, very safe bet : )

Randle and Okafor! Good front court!

im confused as to why lebron left the heat. curry is an amazing shooter.

8th seed, baby!

Andrew Bogut out indefinitely, Robin Lopez out for 6-7 weeks... things are going to be changing very quickly in the West

Have to say the Rondo haul is underwhelming to say the least. Gotta say, we really messed up Rondo's trade value by waiting for Kevin Love's free agency. Now instead of having Rondo for 2-3 cheap years, he's become an expiring deal and a near-max contract in waiting.

Mavs maybe the new favorites to win the west now.

Rondo to Mavs is an interesting trade.

Celtics got shit. Sorry, but nothing is particularly good in this deal for them. Brandon Wright maybe, but that's debatable.

Mavs are an interesting team now. They have as strong as a starting five as any team in the NBA, will be interesting to see how teams guard a Dirk/Rondo pick and roll or the Rondo/Chandler pick and roll. Still don't think they are the favorites in the West (Warriors playing too well) but now they have a chance. The Mavs haven't beaten a WC playoff team yet this season unless you count the Pelicans.

Rondo hasn't been the same since he tore his ACL. I wouldn't be surprised if this move backfires

Hell yeah we count. If OKC wants our spot, they can try and pry it from our cold, dead hands. #TakeFlight

Now Rondo, lotta very good point guards in the West.

Josh Smith just got waived. That never happens..

@No_Hablo_Ingles:

Who do you think should pick him up? And what is the perfect fit?

Sources are saying that the Rockets are the best bet. Good friends with Howard, and the Rockets coveted him for the last two years. People are saying Smith is saying that unless you are a playoff contender, don't call. That in and of itself limits him to the league minimum (which is irrelevant because Det is still paying him).

Team most likely to get him- Houston.

Team that needs him the most- Kings.

If Smith lands with the Kings, I can see them as a low seed in the West.

I fear the Clippers will get him. It would be odd if he went to the Clippers.

The Heat are a bad basketball team.

Well, Woj confirmed what I thought- Josh Smith will be signing with the Rockets once he clears waivers in an hour or so. Not surprising.

He is joining the only contender that could offer anything more than the minimum.

Do you like this move? Is he starting?

I'm... indifferent to the move at the moment.

I live in Atlanta, so I've seen a lot of Josh Smith in the past, and I take the effort to watch at least 20 basketball games for each team. Fact of the matter is, Josh Smith does not pass the eye test or the advance stat test. It's odd that Morey, someone who makes all personal decisions based off stats, wants him, which probably means he knows something not in 'traditional' advance stats.

Personally, I see this as a buy low. If he signs for the Bi-annual (which I suspect) he will only get paid 2 million. That's pretty low for someone who isn't that far removed from All-Star seasons.

He likely starts with Dwight. That will be really interesting. I remember back in his Atlanta days Josh Smith and Horford ran a 4-5 pick and roll. Josh being the primary ball handler. It was one of the most effective sets that any team ran that year.

R.I.P. Stuart Scott

I'd really like to know what Ray Allen is going to do.

Sign with a contender.

Warriors sweep the Rockets.

Bwahahahahahahaha

Yeah, no shit, but when is he going to do that?

Don't make no hablo sports run from this thread too, he already pussed out in the NFL one.

Kobe is injured...again. So, time to quit?

"To Live And Die In LA"

Be gentle amigo he's a softie

lol. Anyway, I say March he'll sign with a contender.

Greatest scoring quarter of all time overshadows Harden's gay ass performance.

Dude can never top either splash bro lmfaoo

James Harden said the Warriors "aren't even that good"...