Could Harden surpass Kobe this season?

[mrblisterdundee]

I know it's only two or three games in for these guys - maybe saying too much too soon - but the results have been very telling so far.
It seems as if Harden's high level of performances isn't a fluke, although most of the time he won't go over 35. Neither is Kobe scoring 40 on an injured foot; he's the toughest player in the league. But it seems like we might be seeing a shift.
It could be because Harden has a bigger role on the Rockets than Kobe does on the Lakers, with their incredibly stacked roster. It could be because Kobe's injury prevented him from dropping 65 and winning against the Clippers.
Harden's had significantly less time to mesh with the Rockets than Kobe has with the new-look Lakers, but he's still just come out of the gate dominating. Could Harden surpass Kobe this season?

[lakers4sho]

nope

[KB-Pau-DH2012]

Question is could Harden surpass Wade to be the #2 best SG in the league.

[Jenceman]

Kobe scoring a lot does not mean bad things for the Lakers at all. Look up the Laker's record when he scores over 40 points. Just do it. Go look. Come back to the thread.

[mrblisterdundee]

Question is could Harden surpass Wade to be the #2 best SG in the league.

You'll notice that I didn't say Harden would become the best shooting guard in the NBA. This thread is between him and Bryant.

[KB-Pau-DH2012]

First off, Bryant's better than Wade. Second off, Harden's going to be better than Wade - put it in the books.

We need to see Harden do it consistently now that he has become THE MAN on the Rockets. Hopefully these first 2 games haven't been a fluke because I really want to see the Bearded One succeed after OKC totally disrespected and gave him the boot.

[IversonIsKrazy]

*COULD* he surpass nd be labelled best SG in league, yes. *WILL* he, we shall see this season!

[Hellcrooner]

Not sure bout this.

He could ( and SHOULD) get "better" stats ( at least for those who only care bout scoring without taking Fg, Per, Eff , w.s in consideration).

But , be more determinant in getting wins.?

Thats a different animal.

[shep33]

I dunno. Only 2 games. Dude is awesome, but we need to see him over a full 82

[KB-Pau-DH2012]

The thing is that a guy like Wade will get too cautious and he at times has a passive and laissez-faire attitude, especially now that he has LeBron running the show. So Harden will easily surpass him at season's end.


As far as surpassing Kobe, the thing is that even though Kobe is aging and getting more injury-riddened, he is as stubborn as ever and he won't relinquish that best SG in the league position. I mean, when push comes to shove, Kobe will be pissed and drop 40+ plus on you. When the games get bigger, so does Kobe's performances. And if the Lakers are struggling against a team, Kobe will take it up a notch and dial into Mamba mode to keep the team in the game.


Kobe has 2 yrs left, he's already has a couple of players surpass him as best players in the league, but he'll be damned if he relinquishes that best SG position before he retires.


So as extraordinary as Harden will be this season, he will still not surpass Kobe.

[R. Johnson#3]

I know it's only two or three games in for these guys - maybe saying too much too soon - but the results have been very telling so far.
It seems as if Harden's high level of performances isn't a fluke, although most of the time he won't go over 35. Neither is Kobe scoring 40 on an injured foot; he's the toughest player in the league. But it seems like we might be seeing a shift.
It could be because Harden has a bigger role on the Rockets than Kobe does on the Lakers, with their incredibly stacked roster. It could be because Kobe's injury prevented him from dropping 65 and winning against the Clippers.
Harden's had significantly less time to mesh with the Rockets than Kobe has with the new-look Lakers, but he's still just come out of the gate dominating. Could Harden surpass Kobe this season?

No, you obviously don't.

[KnicksorBust]

Yeah he could but come playoff time Kobe and Wade will be the story again.

[JasonJohnHorn]

I voted yes, which doesn't mean I think he WILL, just that he could. Kobe has shown that he's still got what it takes to play at an elite level over the first three games. I don't expect Kobe or Harden to play like this all season. I expect Kobe to finish with a higher average and Harden to finish with better percentages and both to have good rebounding and passing stats. But teams will also be preparing to focus on Harden they way they did for K-Mart, where as, when it comes to the Lakers, teams are going to have to pick their poison (Kobe, Howard, Gasol, Nash).

[Andrew32]

The thing is that a guy like Wade will get too cautious and he at times has a passive and laissez-faire attitude, especially now that he has LeBron running the show.

Wade always plays hard on both ends of the court.
He will be out there guarding Melo and trash talking him and the next minute verbally rallying his teammates.
He plays with energy and passion.

Not sure why you'd call him passive.

He cares about doing what is best for his team and if that mean scoring or deferring on offense that is what he will do.
That doesn't make him passive.

The thing is that even though Kobe is aging and getting more injury-riddened, he is as stubborn as ever and he won't relinquish that best SG in the league position.

Kobe wasn't the best SG in the league last year (Wade) and he isn't the best SG in the league this year so far (Harden).

Kobe has 2 yrs left, he's already has a couple of players surpass him as best players in the league, but he'll be damned if he relinquishes that best SG position before he retires.

You're acting like Kobe has been the best player/SG every year of his career.
He hasn't been.

Wade has been the best SG from 2009-2012 and has a strong argument for 05 and 06 also.

Time will tell who the Top 3 SG's will be.
It could be Harden / Wade / Kobe or Wade / Kobe / Harden or other orders.

Could Harden surpass Kobe this year...?
Yes its possible but its way 2 early to be making those sort of predictions especially with a semi-unproven guy like Harden.

[Greedy22]

Could he? Absolutely, but I don't see it happening. He's definitely making me eat crow though for saure, I thought he'd struggle as the man to be honest. So far he's made he look like an idiot lol. OKC messed up trading this guy though.