That's a very, very different statement to he isn't a #1 guy or a max guy though. But a better and possibly true one. Not many guards can lead a team to a title without an all star big/partner so that might be setting the bar a tad high.
Thing is harden has shown promise with the thunder for a few years this is not a Lin style of "blowing up", harden was doing well in a team that had two superstars. He is a number 1 option(on a good or bad team) and a max guy.
On espn they were talking about how the talk will go from "did they get a good deal?" to "did they trade the right guy out of him and Westbrook?" Interesting take.
TBH the talk of "did they trade the right guy" will stop soon as he has a few more of the 33% shooting nights with 5 TO like today. Although RW has about that every 2nd night. I actually think Martin has played well for OKC.
I heard some nupty today comparing him to MJ on a broadcast. An audible "bitch please" was heard from my house.
Harden has impressed me more than I thought in 2 out of 3 games so far this season.
But the issue with him is getting a shot off under pressure. Case in point today....Wes Matthews was ALL over him...and his shooting percentage reflects that. When he plays against inferior defensive guards he looks fantastic - i.e. Stuckey and Lou Williams essentially.
What I'd like to see him do to really show he is a great player is when he comes up against a guy who is good defensively...to treat em like they aren't there...or find other ways to get to the basket or create opportunities for others.
Now it isn't to say he doesn't get the respect of other teams - in the Finals last year they had LeBron on him ALOT....goes to show the respect they have for him.
But I'd still say he needs to take that next step of being dominant against what many perceive are better players or more dominant teams.
But he has taken significant strides to be an All-Star calibre player.
