Keyboard Warrior | He is also an offensive killer who is good at drawing fouls, but at the peak of the playoffs, Harden is not as good as SGA?

Recently, some American netizens posted and asked, why is Alexander more stable in the playoffs than Harden at his peak, as he is also an offensive weapon that is good at drawing fouls?

Why is Prime Shai better in the playoffs than Prime James harden? Both of them shoot lots of free throws in the regular season, but Shai’s game translates better in the playoffs than James harden?

Why is Alexander in his prime performing better in the playoffs than Harden in his prime? Both scored frequently through free throws in the regular season, but Alexander's style of play appeared more stable in the playoffs.

[–]RaptorsJwarrior521 47 points an hour ago

Shai doesn 't run into the 2015-2019 Warriors every year.

Raptors fans: The post comes from my mouth...Alexander doesn’t have to face the 2015-2019 Warriors in the playoffs every year...

[–]Kindly_Letterhead_98[S] 2 points an hour ago

Harden had like 10 points in game 6 shooting 18% vs the spurs in 2017 lol

Edit: Don 't know any ELITE star who had such a bad game in the playoffs lol

Fans: Harden seemed to have only scored 10 points in G6 against the Spurs in 2017, shooting 18% from the field, hahaha...

Supplement: I really don’t know of any other top star who has played such an eye-catching game in the playoffs. , hahahaha...

Note: In the 2017 Western Conference semifinals G6, the Rockets played against the Spurs. Harden made 2 of 11 shots from the field, only scored 10 points and 7 assists, and sent 6 turnovers. 0 points in the final quarter. In the end, the Rockets were eliminated by the Spurs 2-4..

[–]dogsh1tmods [score hidden] 36 minutes ago

The GOAT scored 8 points and was outscored by a role player in the finals

Fans: What the hell...our GOAT also scored 8 points in the finals...the score is not as high as that of a role player...

[–]RaptorsJwarrior521 7 points an hour ago

Harden is def a playoff choker but the competition in the West is not comparable imo. Those Spurs/Warriors teams would dominate the current West

Raptors fans: Harden is indeed a soft-footed shrimp in the playoffs, but I think the intensity of competition in the Western Conference at that time was not at the same level as it is now. The Spurs and Warriors in those years could crush the current Western Conference...

[–]Heatfrostfeint3 -3 points an hour ago

It went from "doesn 't run into 2015-2019 Warriors every year " to "Those Spurs/Warriors team " lol, like Kobe said, the way Harden plays just doesn 't work in the playoffs, he depends way too much on drawing fouls, Shai could still do a lot of things aside from drawing fouls, he 's way more consistent compared to Harden

Heat fans: How did this topic change from "SGA is lucky enough not to encounter the 15-19 Warriors every year" to "Speaking of...the Spurs/Warriors in those years...", hahaha...just like what Kobe said, Harden is like that This style of play will not work in the playoffs. He relies too much on drawing fouls... and SGA has many methods besides drawing fouls, so he is much more stable than Harden...

[–]RaptorsJwarrior521 3 points 59 minutes ago

The top of the west was stacked with insane teams. Way harder gauntlet than the current west. nostalgia

Thunder fans: Why do you say that the Spurs back then could beat the Thunder now? I feel like you are arguing here purely out of emotion...

[–][LAC] James Hardenharden-back 4 points 53 minutes ago

67-15 spurs and 73-9 warriors they had competition

Clippers fans: The Spurs with 67 wins and 15 losses and the Warriors with 73 wins and 9 losses. Can you imagine the dimensionality-reducing oppression of the Western Conference back then...

[–]Heatfrostfeint3 0 points 51 minutes ago

So that one year, yes?

Heat fans: That’s the year you’re talking about, right?

Note: In the 2015-16 season, the Warriors posted a historic record of 73 wins and 9 losses in the regular season, advancing through the Western Conference; at the same time, the Spurs that season were not far behind, winning 67 wins and 15 losses!

[–]SilverExcellent4679 1 point an hour ago

I mean it 's just the truth. Shais game doesn 't necessarily translate better. Hes just not facing the 60+ win teams harden was facing like the spurs and warriors of that time

fans: Just the truth. SGA is not necessarily more stable than Harden. He just doesn't encounter teams with 60+ wins like the Spurs and Warriors like Harden every year...

[–]Thunderchef_iblocka -4 points 56 minutes ago

The only warriors team in that range that beats a healthy thunder are the 2017 warriors

Thunder fans: Although the Warriors in those years were invincible, only the 2017 Warriors team that could defeat today's fully healthy Thunder team...

[–]RaptorsJwarrior521 7 points 55 minutes ago

Y 'all let the championship get to your head if you genuinely believe this

Raptors fans: Do you really believe it? After winning a championship, you really treat yourself like a piece of cake, right?

[–]LakersIMadeThisOn6-28-2015 2 points 53 minutes ago

Yeah no, they 're not beating any of those years. If LeBron could barely do it once on a miracle 3-1 comeback, 2025 OKC sure isn 't doing it. Their best chance is that 2015 Warriors.

Lakers fans: Of course not! But pull it down! This Thunder can't beat the Warriors from any year (2016-2019)! Back then, James fought hard to win once with a 1-3 miracle comeback. The Thunder in 2025 will definitely have no chance! Their best hope of winning may be the 2015 Warriors team...

[–]GiddeysDiddyParty [score hidden] 49 minutes ago

they need Kyrie. all-time legendary series from him capped off with the gamewinner

Fans: The Cavaliers won the championship in 2016 all because of Irving! His performance in that round of the finals was epic. He used a three-pointer to bring an end to that historic finals!

[–]Knicksclownus [score hidden] 47 minutes ago

Okc is very good and Shai is one of the best. But comparing OKC to Cleveland/warriors/spurs from those times is pretty silly. Lebron and curry during those playoff duels was equivalent to having a Jokic on each team.

Then add the 2nd best shooter of all time and dpoy Draymond versus pre-crazy kyrie and Kevin love.

The only team OKC is beating is the kyrie less Cavs. It took LeBron and kyrie having double 40 bombs to beat the Harrison Barnes version.

Knicks fans: The Thunder are indeed strong, and SGA is also a top player! But it's too stupid to compare this Thunder with the Cavaliers/Warriors/Spurs back then... Zhanku's playoff showdown in those years was equivalent to the two Jokic's fight today, it was like Mars hitting the Earth!

Coupled with the second shooter in history and DPOY Dream Chaser, the opponents are still Irving and Love (in non-ultimate form).

The only thing the Thunder can win is the Cavaliers without Irving... You know, back then, James and Ou both scored 40+ before defeating the Warriors (the offense led by Harrison Barnes).

[–]Lakerspokerawz 15 points an hour ago

Well firstly, way better roster.

Lakers fans: Why is SGA better in the playoffs? First of all, because (this Thunder's) lineup is so much better...

[–]ThunderExtra_Barracuda4415 -3 points an hour ago

Secondly, better player. roster

Poster: The Rockets' lineup in 2018 was also great...

[–]Lakerspokerawz 8 points an hour ago

Great roster and only really lost to one of the best teams of all time.

Lakers fans: The Rockets' lineup was great back then, and they just lost to one of the strongest teams in history...

[–]Charlotte BobcatsNotManyBuses 2 points an hour ago

Until it wasn 't

Bobcats fans: When the chain fell off at the critical moment, the fans of the year would say that the lineup was terrible...

[–][SEA] Kevin DurantWestleyThe [score hidden] 32 minutes ago

And they were one cold shooting streak away from beating the KD warriors….

That warriors team beats this current thunder team

Durant fans: If they (the Rockets) hadn't suffered a sudden illness and felt cold, they would have almost defeated the Warriors with KD... That Warriors team back then could definitely defeat the current Thunder.

Note: In the tiebreaker of the 2018 Western Conference Finals, the Rockets lost to the Warriors 92-101 at home. They made only 7 of 44 three-pointers in the game, including 27 consecutive missed three-pointers, setting an NBA playoff record for three-pointers in a single game..

[–]RocketsTheGargageMan 4 points an hour ago

It is a mystery

Rockets fans: Why are the SGA playoffs better? This is an unsolved mystery...

[–]Thanos_SlayerCongSan 4 points 52 minutes ago

Harden had choke so many elimination games in his career, you can easily google that

Fans: Harden has choked so many elimination games in his career, you will know with just a search...

[–]LakersllorTMasterFlex 5 points an hour ago. warriors-rockets series

Fans: Is SGA better than Harden? You'd better go watch the Rockets vs. Warriors series first...

[–]lexington59 [score hidden] 38 minutes ago

1 of them is 3 point shot or at the rim attempt or bust player, 1 is a midrange specialist.

3 point shots are notoriously inconsistent, even curry has awful games from 3, and in a 7 game series being heliocentric makes it easier for teams to prep around and key in on the 1 player plus harden has only really had 1 really complete roster even close to the thunders level and that took an extreme cold streak for them to lose with missing over 20 3s in a row.

Whereas sga plays on a stacked team and plays a more drive and kick style, that is a little harder to prep against.

That plus sga is just really fucking elite at driving better than harden has even been and harden in his prime was a good driver, that 's how good sga is at driving makes it so you are forced to foul or just kinda force him into a midrange shot (and midrange are much more consistent than 3s at the expense of being less efficient unless you hit an insane rate)

With 3s it 's expected to have the occasional 20 percent game followed by a 40, followed by a 33, followed by a 50.

Whereas midrange it 's mire 40-50-45-40, ect so it 's just easier to have a better baseline and are less prone to bad shooting nights

Fans: One (Harden) is either shooting three-pointers or attacking the basket. If these two tricks don't work, he will stop immediately; the other (Alexander) is a mid-range expert.

Three-pointers are a notoriously unstable skill, and even Curry had three-pointers that were inaccurate... Moreover, in the seven-game series, the ball-carrying core style was more likely to be targeted by opponents, and Harden only really had a complete lineup that was close to the level of the Thunder once (2018), and that time they lost because of their extreme coldness (missing more than 20 three-pointers in a row)...

And SG A's team has a deep lineup, and he plays more breakout-style basketball, so this style of play is more difficult to target... In addition, SGA's breakthrough ability is simply elite level, better than Harden at any time (Harden's breakthrough was actually good at his peak), which shows how strong SGA's breakthrough is, forcing you to only foul, or barely force him to take a mid-range shot (mid-range is much more stable than three-pointers, at the expense of slightly lower efficiency, unless you are ridiculously accurate).

If you shoot three-pointers, maybe 20% in this game, 40% in the next game, 33% in the next game, and 50% in the next game. It is normal to have large fluctuations...

And the mid-range is more like 40%, 50%, 45%, 40%, etc., so it is easier to have a better basic accuracy, and it is less likely to encounter a bad cold night...

[–]Humdiddledeedee [score hidden] 31 minutes ago

Well said. Another reason the midrange is an advantage is that it is a lot more reliable to draw fouls there. Especially in the playoffs.

When you 're an elite mid-range threaten it 's a lot easier to get people to bite on pump fakes and use your footwork/midpost game to draw fouls as opposed to hardens tricks for people reaching on his drives / falling down on contested 3s.

Fans: Well said! Another advantage of the mid-range is that it is easier to draw fouls, especially in the playoffs...

When you are a top mid-range threat, it is easier to use fake moves to point out opponents, using your footsteps and elbow back skills to draw fouls. This is different from Harden's trick of relying on opponents to pick up the ball (raising his hand to cheat a foul) or falling down when shooting a three-pointer...

[–]Thunderthetalkinghawk 3 points an hour ago

Shai has been king of the clutch during the playoffs. Any time the game or series was on the line, he did what he needed to do for the team to win. Plus having an incredible team of players bought into their system and culture is HUGE.

Thunder fans: Alexander has been clutch in the playoffs. Whenever a game or series comes to a life-and-death moment, he can make the necessary contribution to the team's win...coupled with an amazing team that believes in the team's system and culture, it's a perfect match!

[–]gcoles 3 points an hour ago

He gets the calls in the playoffs, and makes his shots. Also has a very good supporting cast

Fans: Alexander is more stable because he can get the whistle in the playoffs and make his shots. At the same time, there is also very good teammate support..

[–]Spiritual-Bobcat5635 3 points an hour ago

Prime harden was better on offense, but not enough to close the gap in defense with prime Shai. Going SGA

Fans: Prime Harden’s offense is better, but not enough to make up for the gap between him and Prime Alexander on the defensive end...I choose SGA…

[–]Thunderchef_iblocka 2 points 57 minutes ago

Shai is an elite tough shot maker which translates well to the playoffs.

Thunder fans: Alexander is an elite shooter who is very good at difficult shots, which is very good in the playoffs...

[–]HornetsRelativeHand4753 1 point an hour ago

Straight. Threes.

Hornets fans: To put it bluntly...three-pointers kill people!

[–]PelicansAHSfav [score hidden] 22 minutes ago

Mostly referees

Pelicans fans: Alexander mainly relies on referees...

[–]Heatfrostfeint3 1 point an hour ago

The only similar playstyle they have is drawing fouls. Shai does a lot more than Harden and doesn 't solely relied on shooting free throws. Like Kobe said, Harden playstyle does not work in the playoffs, and it shows.

Now, in Hardens defense, James Harden was basically the Rockets offense, once his offense does not work, it 's hard for them to win because then they went from Harden Basketball to just throw it to someone hot and hope it works. second option, and the whole team is defensive minded including SGA. Harden is great in the post in defense but other than, he 's a traffic cone, there 's really not much he can do because he spends way more energy trying to score, that combine with his conditioning.. it 's just a recipe for disaster. He gets lazy and shut down.

Heat fans: The only similar style of play between them is to draw fouls... But SGA does much more than Harden. He doesn't just rely on free throws... As Kobe said, Harden's style of play will not work in the playoffs, and facts have proved this...

At the same time, to be fair to Harden, he was basically It’s the Rockets’ entire offensive system. Once his offense fails, it will be difficult for the team to win, because at that time, the team’s tactics will change from “Harden’s tactical system” to “whoever has the hot hand will come”. This is very similar to Tatum’s early Celtics...SGA has Jaylen Williams as the second-in-command, and the entire team, including SGA itself, is a defensive player. Harden's low post defense is good, but other than that he's just a roadblock. He really can't do much because he spends more energy on offense, coupled with his physical condition... it's a disaster... When he gets tired, he will become lazy and completely shut down...

[–]Own_Elk_543 [score hidden] 42 minutes ago

Did you even watch Harden???? Dude was a multiple time assist leader and just all around offensive engine. Also why do you keep quoting Kobe? Kobe struggled in the playoffs too after Shaq left and people said the exact same thing about his play style and then the lakers got him better teammates and all of sudden the play style stuff didn 't matter. Prime Harden pretty much exclusively lost to the Warriors in the playoffs and in every matchup they had the better team.

Fans: Have you ever seen Harden play? ? ? This guy has won several assists titles and is an all-around offensive engine! And why do you always quote Kobe? Kobe also struggled in the playoffs after O'Neal left, and people said the same things about his play, and then the Lakers found him better teammates, and suddenly his play problem didn't matter... Harden at his peak almost only lost to the Warriors in the playoffs, and every time they faced off, the Warriors were the stronger team...

[–]Heatfrostfeint3 [score hidden] 36 minutes ago

Did you read anything I just said? Stop spending your time defending him so much and read what I just said. Lakers played Kobe basketball until they got better teammates. Rockets played Harden basketball even when they did not work. Isn 't obvious once CP3 went down, they lost in game 7?

It 's just dumb that the Harden fans always try to defend Harden with "well he got unlucky, went against Warriors dynasty". Brother, at this point, Hardens legacy is basically losing against the Warriors. LOSING. Harden fans really should try harder defending their player like he won MVP against LeBron James. Maybe you should praise him as one of the best offensive engine of all time, but it just doesn 't work in the playoffs. Both can be right. SGA is just a better player compared to Harden because he played both side, so when his offense doesn 't work, at least he has defense. What the fuck does Harden do when his offense doesn 't work? Miss 27 straight 3 points?

Heat fans: Did you read what I just said? Don't just think about defending Harden, read carefully what I said first... Before the Lakers improved their lineup, they had no choice but to play Kobe basketball (Kobe is the ball-handling core). On the other hand, the Rockets did it by force. No matter whether the effect is good or not, Harden is always the ball-handling core, and they lost in G7 as soon as Paul was injured. Isn't this obvious (Harden's ball-carrying core play will not work in the playoffs)?

Harden fans always use "He was unlucky to run into the Warriors dynasty" to defend him. This is so stupid... Brother, at this point, Harden's reputation is basically labeled as "losing to the Warriors"... He is a loser, you understand? Harden fans should really use some stronger evidence to defend him! For example, Harden is the one who stole the MVP from James! Maybe there is nothing wrong with praising him as one of the best offensive engines in history, but it just doesn't work in the playoffs. These two points are not conflicting... SGA is a better player than Harden because he integrates offense and defense, so when his offense doesn't work, at least he still has defense. On the other hand, what is Harden doing when his offense is not working? Missed 27 three-pointers in a row?

Source: Reddit

Compiled by: Helangduan