James Harden

[the27guy]

I've never loved the guy.... but can't deny that he's just having an absolutely incredible season.... he definitely has a case for the MVP as of today.

But he hasn't really seen any super significant upswing on what his stuff has been selling for. I think this is largely because a lot of people don't really like his game.

So the question is, what would harden have to do to get major hobby love?

[lair911]

shave his beard

[bkcardcollector]

Originally Posted by lair911

shave his beard

yup. I am convinced it is this. There is nothing wrong with his playing style at all. If he was clean shaven and prancing around he would be just as loved as Russ.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by the27guy

I've never loved the guy.... but can't deny that he's just having an absolutely incredible season.... he definitely has a case for the MVP as of today.

But he hasn't really seen any super significant upswing on what his stuff has been selling for. I think this is largely because a lot of people don't really like his game.

So the question is, what would harden have to do to get major hobby love?

Title.

Or at least get past Golden State in the Playoffs and face off with Lebron.

Only other way I see would be to break a major statistical milestone like Curry did last year and Russ is doing this year.
Then he'd get serious 'best player on the planet' buzz.

[Litwing]

His face looks like from ISIS..

[tjforce]

For those of you saying "Shave the Beard", let me remind you what he looks like sans beard:
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmIC4SDCAAAdeZl.jpg

Not the most marketable face I've ever seen.

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by tjforce

For those of you saying "Shave the Beard", let me remind you what he looks like sans beard:
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmIC4SDCAAAdeZl.jpg

Not the most marketable face I've ever seen.

Thx for posting this.


May he never shave that thang.

[chugga15]

Originally Posted by tjforce

For those of you saying "Shave the Beard", let me remind you what he looks like sans beard:
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BmIC4SDCAAAdeZl.jpg

Not the most marketable face I've ever seen.

Dude wears a beard like some chicks wear makeup. Can't blame a fella for covering up that mug.

[bkcardcollector]

Originally Posted by Litwing

His face looks like from ISIS..

Originally Posted by tjforce

Not the most marketable face I've ever seen.

This is why.


People judge on image instead of ability. I believe there is a lot of truth in what G Karl is saying about Lillard. He is having a brutal year and chucking up bricks on crucial shots game after game but nobody seams to mind because he has the image.

Harden prides himself on being a non-conformist and that scares most people off.

[chugga15]

Originally Posted by bkcardcollector

This is why.


People judge on image instead of ability. I believe there is a lot of truth in what G Karl is saying about Lillard. He is having a brutal year and chucking up bricks on crucial shots game after game but nobody seams to mind because he has the image.

Harden prides himself on being a non-conformist and that scares most people off.

Cardboard collecting requires looking and appreciating the face that stares back. Some sports stars are better left for cut autos.

[bkcardcollector]

Originally Posted by chugga15

Cardboard collecting requires looking and appreciating the face that stares back. Some sports stars are better left for cut autos.

Yes for many and that is why his prices suffer. I am not trying to say that it is a good or a bad thing. Just trying to make sense of the situation.

I however could really give two poops about how handsome basketball players are. I like ballers whom I think have game on the court. I could really care less about their face or politics or anything that is not directly related to their performance on the court. Everyone has their reasons and those are mine.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by bkcardcollector

Yes for many and that is why his prices suffer. I am not trying to say that it is a good or a bad thing. Just trying to make sense of the situation.

I however could really give two poops about how handsome basketball players are. I like ballers whom I think have game on the court. I could really care less about their face or politics or anything that is not directly related to their performance on the court. Everyone has their reasons and those are mine.

I agree with this.

But as you may have noticed around this forum, a lot of weirdos out there in the collecting world.

[jkl165116]

Harden is doing amazing this year but i just cant take him seriously. It might have been all those "defense" videos 2-3 years that were posted or him walking away from that commentator after the game but i just cant shake the image of him being like a joker. Its probably just me

[regularp]

Originally Posted by bkcardcollector

This is why.


People judge on image instead of ability. I believe there is a lot of truth in what G Karl is saying about Lillard. He is having a brutal year and chucking up bricks on crucial shots game after game but nobody seams to mind because he has the image.

Harden prides himself on being a non-conformist and that scares most people off.

Except Lillard is having the best season of his career by just about any measure.

Lillard didn't give Evan Turner $72 million, Allen Crabbe $75 million, Myers Leonard $41 million and Festus Ezeli $15 million. Over $200 for four role players; all of them coming off the bench. All that and they still don't have a big man worth a damn.

[bkcardcollector]

Originally Posted by regularp

Except Lillard is having the best season of his career by just about any measure.

Lillard didn't give Evan Turner $72 million, Allen Crabbe $75 million, Myers Leonard $41 million and Festus Ezeli $15 million. Over $200 for four role players; all of them coming off the bench. All that and they still don't have a big man worth a damn.

I have nothing against Lillard. One of my favorite players.

However I watch a lot of Portland games and Lillard may be having a good statistical year but he has not been clutch at all. His Defense is not good and his team is not winning. He was supposed to be an MVP candidate and is not even in the discussion. His team is not in the playoffs.

Its funny to me he can have the type of year he is having but most fans (casual and die-hard) will think Lillard is way better than guys like Harden or Cousins or Marc Gasol who are putting up monster years but don't have the image. I always hear that Harden plays no D or just draws fouls but for whatever reason it is not brought up about Lillard. Cousins is a bad teammate, well maybe Lillard is too. I am sure lots of stars are not the best teammates. Gasol is just not cool because he is a tall European who doesn't play in a big market and doesn't make hip hop albums. Lets toss in the guy who Portland turned their back on for Lillard too, Nico Batum is having a crazy year and very little fan fare.

I think image has a lot to do with perception and I think the NBA (and Nike) is really good at creating image. For example this George Karl thing. All off a sudden since he is not playing nice with the NBA they have decided he has changed from a hard nosed all time coach who drafted Dirk (don't know why or if it was him who traded Dirk) and now he is a greedy A hole!!! Is Karl a hard ass ya surely but its not like Melo and K mart and JR Smith are angels, could you imagine coaching those guys early on? It would have been a nightmare. Its not like the stuff he is saying is not true, but the NBA and Melo and Kmart obviously want to smear him so they will and the fans will buy the narrative. Its called marketing and the NBA are genius at it.

[hairyangryfella]

As a foreigner, the beard has no influence for me at all. I just hate how he plays for fouls rather than shots (or at least did before this year). His way of playing infuriates me, it has nothing to do with how he looks...

[WillC]

For me, the reason I dislike him (and his cards) is a combination of many of the things, some of which have already been mentioned above. I'll list them in order:

1) I hate the way he plays. Back in the 1990s and earlier, he'd be called for a travel on nearly every drive to the basket. To me, he seems like a product of our time, rather than the type of player who'd put up big numbers in any era.

2) His lack of defense (highlighted by 'that' video) will haunt him forever. I prefer two-way players, e.g. Kawhi Leonard.

3) His beard looks stupid and he dresses like an idiot. His beard disguises his emotions and personality. I can't take him seriously. Playing with Dwight Howard didn't help.

4) He plays for the Rockets, whose jersey isn't particularly appealing.

5) He puts up huge assist numbers comparable to Stockton, Nash, Kidd and Paul but is nowhere near as talented at leading his team. His high turnovers attest to that.

[the27guy]

Originally Posted by hairyangryfella

As a foreigner, the beard has no influence for me at all. I just hate how he plays for fouls rather than shots (or at least did before this year). His way of playing infuriates me, it has nothing to do with how he looks...

For me, this is the answer that resonates the most...

Still, he's as much of a one man team as you'll find, with the exception of maybe Westbrook, but he's currently leading the most surprising team in the league.

[sportzluvr1]

Harden has been great. Toss up for MVP at this point. Don't underestimate D'antonis system as that plays a role as well. With that in mind, they went out and got incredible shooters in Gordon and Anderson who just hang out around the arc and wait for Harden to drive and kick if necessary. They've both been money so far and are the ideal players you need around your main guy in the system that's been implemented. Lookin' like the ole' Phoenix days with Harden doing his best Steve Nash impression. Been fun to watch thus far.

[bdoody42]

Originally Posted by Litwing

His face looks like from ISIS..

I hope this is a joke.

I think the fact the people perceive him as bad defender compared to many other stars. His defense this year has been better then many other stars, but it's about reputation.

[the27guy]

What? Is his stat line tonight for real????

[ThoseBackPages]

GOOD!

[bankdawg]

53 pts , 17 ast. 16 reb. ??? one of the best stat lines i've ever seen

[jj2]

Originally Posted by bankdawg

53 pts , 17 ast. 16 reb. ??? one of the best stat lines i've ever seen

Damn...

[Tarheelsfan2012]

He would actually have to come to play in the playoffs to get hobby love. He has always been a regular season player. I call him that because his game as it stands right now doesn't translate to the playoffs when refs let more contact go. For Harden to consistency score he has to go to the free throw line 10+ times a game. He doesn't get the tacky tack fouls in the playoffs and therefore is left shooting jumpers and he isn't a very good shooter. I personally cannot stand his game and the amount of flailing he does in trying to sell calls. He's also a terrible defender and has given little effort on that end over the years(I'm sure you can find plenty of gifs of his defense).

Also, Yes, he had a great triple double stat line tonight but he also had 8 turnovers. He's averaging almost 6 turnovers a game this season! That is atrocious.