We see it everywhere on our TV screens, from the filthy step-backs to the crossover pull-up jumpers. There’s no doubt in my mind that James Harden is arguably the best scorer in the NBA today. What I also know is that the road he’s heading down is very similar to that of Carmelo Anthony.
Now, Harden and Melo have similar offensive games and have been able to patent their own moves. James Harden has the step-back, and Melo has the size-up/pull-up. If you ever watch closely they’re an automatic bucket in iso situations on the floor. If you put them side by side you couldn’t tell the difference between their moves off-the-dribble and creating their own shot. It all dials down to how great these two players are offensively, but here’s something you might not have known:
When Melo was 29 years old, he hit his peak in PPG at 28.7, with 6.9 RPG and 2.6 APG. Let me remind you this was the 2013-14 NBA season. Melo was with the New York Knicks, and he was absolutely one of the best players in the league at the time.
Since that season, Melo’s taken a turn for the worst, and his production slowly started to dwindle down to his current state – a free agent and contemplating retirement.
Harden at 29 (present day) s averaging a career-best 33.6 PPG, top-five in scoring this year. Let me pick your brain a bit more. On the defensive end, Melo’s and Harden’s defensive field goal percentages against are very similar to one another at age 29:
Melo: 46%
Harden: 46.5%
Now, this could mean two things:
- Harden could be leading down the same path as Melo, and we won’t start to see it happen until next season.
- Harden is better than Melo in every facet of the game, and this has no relevance.
James Harden has been in the league for nine years and hasn’t seen much success when it comes to the postseason. Even though he’s made it farther in the playoffs than Melo, Harden hasn’t seen an NBA Finals appearance since his days in OKC, where he saw a smaller role than the one he has now. Harden is in his prime as we speak, but could we be seeing the last of his greatness? Time is winding down for him, and he seems content in Houston.
Care to debate?