17 replies to this topic

[Rahat Huq]

Watching this guy play last night, I just couldn't help but pinch myself over how lucky the Rockets got.  Unbelievable.  They tried for Bosh, Melo, Gasol...failed...and now end up with a guy far better and younger.  The Basketball Gods have truly blessed us.  

 

I think McGrady was the most skilled player to ever play.  More skilled than Jordan.  But he obviously had other characteristics which held him back.  Despite those flaws, he was still one hell of a player, and one hell of a foundation for the Rockets.  At his best, he kept the Rockets in contention.  In his best year with Houston, 05, he was a top 5 player.  He fell out after that.

 

I never thought I'd say this, but with Harden, I think the Rockets have a better foundation.  This isn't about McGrady's injuries etc - that is obvious.  It's about style of play.  For all of Mac's greatness, he was a jumpshooter.  When the going got tough, he often did deliver, with beautiful passing and composure - but you couldn't count on him to put his head down and drive in.  Harden will.  You know Harden is going to just keep driving in and racking up fouls when nothing else is working.  See: the last Golden State game.  McGrady didn't have that.  

 

On the flip side, there wasn't any "archetype" of player that could slow down McGrady.  I guess maybe small guards like Derek Fisher.  But with Harden, I really worry about long wings like Iguodala wearing him out over a long series.  We will have to see when the playoffs come.  If we face Memphis, seeing Tony Allen every night could take a toll.  

 

This is all too early.  But as of this moment, just because of that willingness to drive in at all costs, I really feel the Rockets are set up with a better foundation than they had last decade.  What do you all think?

[rocketrick]

I absolutely 100% concur. Well written and true in every sense of the word. Hey, on a brighter note, maybe Harden could wear out Tony Allen or Iggy in a playoff series..........

[PKM]

I've openly stated something similar to that in earlier recaps, where I argued back even in December/January that Harden has a realistic shot to be the third greatest Rocket after Dream and Moses.  The fact is that McGrady after his first season wasn't actually all that great as a Rocket. And currently, Harden is blowing  2004-05 McGrady out of the water, much less the subsequent seasons.  Harden is not as good as 2002-03 McGrady - I don't think he ever will be, because that season was basically comparable to Lebron this year or the year before.  But he has definitely been better than Rockets McGrady.

[2016Champions]

He might not be better than Orlando Magic McGrady yet (I thought McGrady was even better than Kobe in 2003) but he's better than Rockets McGrady already and he's only getting started. I never fully understood why McGrady settled for so many jumpers when he could get to the rim at will.

[feelingsupersonic]

I think Harden will be the greatest Rocket since Dream and will be shown to be better than McGrady in good time because James Harden has something McGrady never had, a winners DNA. I am not saying Tracy McGrady in the right situation wouldn't have won a championship but I don't believe his will to win was elite though I am sure it was good he looked more to his skill set as one of the greatest wings ever to get him somewhere where the greatest skills alone are not enough. I am of the opinion that James Harden has the will to win of a Titan. That you bring up Harden's ability and choice to put his head down and drive is evidence that he has those intangibles. And forget that Jordanesque killer instinct talk what I have in mind is more in the school of Larry Bird. Whatever it is our man James Harden has it, finally we have one.

[timetodienow1234567]

I agree that he is outplaying Mcgrady when he was on the Rockets. But he's NOWHERE close to Mcgrady's peak.

[2016Champions]

One thing I really like about Harden is his bball IQ. The way he gets to the line is almost as methodical as it is skillful, knowing exactly how to get players to reach and then bringing his arms up in a way that the reacher hits him on the arm as he's in the motion of shooting. I've heard some people say they don't like Harden because he just runs into players looking for a foul, but that's not the way he does it at all. Getting hit on the arm is completely different to blatantly running into a player.

[Stephen]

McGrady was a better passer,a better defender.

And as a taller player,w/perhaps slightly more experience/BBIQ,Tracy was able to move the ball out of double teams and traps. Harden can get hemmed in and too often he forces a terrible pass or travels when doubled.

However for whatever reason Tracy never got the calls Kobe,LeBron,Wade got and it looks like he decided why risk my back getting hammered and not get the call when I can just shoot over my defender? There's also the different eras as teams were packing the paint against Tracy and Yao.

Put a Yao Ming on the low post and Harden's not going to have as many open lanes to drive thru.

OTOH,Harden doesn't rely on outstanding athleticism that will slip w/age and he's more agile,making quick little moves and has the knack of drawing contact and forcing refs to blow the whistle in his favor. 

Harden is also more comfortable letting someone else take over for a while,while Tracy was much more ball dominant.

I believe McGrady from his first 3 yrs in Orlando would have the Rockets in a better position-right now. A couple yrs down the road,Harden would look like the better option.

Until Harden carries the Rockets to a Play-Off Series win,I would hesitate to say he's more of a winner than McGrady. McGrady did will his team to numerous wins-in the regular season. Early returns favor Harden's mental toughness,but it's early.

[thejohnnygold]

Is it fair to suggest that Lebron James is the living embodiment of James Harden and Tracy McGrady's best attributes?

[2016Champions]

I think you're selling him short defensively. Maybe if you threw in a few more names like Josh Smith, Terrell Owens, and Scottie Pippen.

[thejohnnygold]

I think you're selling him short defensively. Maybe if you threw in a few more names like Josh Smith, Terrell Owens, and Scottie Pippen.

...and a dash of Bo Jackson...

[2016Champions]

_Perfect.

[rockets best fan]

I think Harden will be the greatest Rocket since Dream and will be shown to be better than McGrady in good time because James Harden has something McGrady never had, a winners DNA. I am not saying Tracy McGrady in the right situation wouldn't have won a championship but I don't believe his will to win was elite though I am sure it was good he looked more to his skill set as one of the greatest wings ever to get him somewhere where the greatest skills alone are not enough. I am of the opinion that James Harden has the will to win of a Titan. That you bring up Harden's ability and choice to put his head down and drive is evidence that he has those intangibles. And forget that Jordanesque killer instinct talk what I have in mind is more in the school of Larry Bird. Whatever it is our man James Harden has it, finally we have one.

totally agree it's in the genes. harden has a much more aggressive style of play. mcgrady was greater overall, but in time harden will exceed anything mcgrady did in his career.

[thenit]

Harden is a great player but I wouldn't put him in such high regards yet. He's done it for 1 season as the main man. T-Mac at his peak was arguable the best player for a few years, and I thought he should have been the MVP at least once. Harden has great potential but we won't know that until we see what he can do for consecutive years, I'm hopeful though

[Ostrow]

Early in his career, T-Mac attacked the basket at will.  Then the injuries caught up to him and he was no longer as athletic, and didn't always trust his athleticism.  T-Mac at his best was better than current Harden is.  Harden may be able to pass him, but there are not many people in the past 10-20 years that, at their peak, were as good as T-Mac at his peak no matter how short lived it was.

[2016Champions]

McGrady was one of those "tough guys" who always came back from injury too early and it ruined his career. It's one thing to come back from ankle injuries early, but it's a whole another thing to come back from lower back and knee injuries too early. 

[ale11]

Agree 2016, just ask Brandon Roy....what a waste!

[2016Champions]

Yep, Brandon Roy, Penny Hardaway, Grant Hill, David Thompson, Greg Arenas. The list goes on. When will they learn? Honestly we need more coaches like Popovich. *Tony Parker ankle sprain - 1 month* lol