Harden a Lottery Pick? Hardly...

[82CardsGrad]

I never really understood all of the hype around Harden all season... Yes, he was the Pac-10 Player of the Year... However, I think that was do in large part to the broad dirth of talent in the Pac-10... Lots of good players, jsut no really good or great players...
As for Harden, I always saw his faults... They are:

- No speed/quickness. He's looks extremely slow against solid talent...
- Way too inconsistent. I can't recall a supposed Lottery Pick disappearing for the long periods of a game as does Harden.
- No defense at all... His lack of quickness really hurts him here...

I just can't believe Harden is Lottery Pick material. He really should stay one more year. I know he won't and good luck to the team that dishes out the guaranteed millions that come with drafting a Lottery Pick...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

He'll get a lottery guarantee from the Suns, they're going to need the jersey sales next year.

 

[82CardsGrad]

He'll get a lottery guarantee from the Suns, they're going to need the jersey sales next year.

LMAO!

 

[PDXChris]

He is projected to go between 5 and 8. ESPN draft had Memphis taking him. That one would seem odd to me though with Mayo there.

 

[DWKB]

It's a really weak year for the NBA draft.

 

[Mr. Boldin]

You guys are pretty unrealistic. Harden is by far one of the bes tplayers ASU has ever produced, is a lock for the top 10 at least, and you all think he needs to come back next year on a poor team to show he can carry them?

You realize the NBA doesnt care if James Harden didnt carry his team for 3 games, they look at the body of work and evaluate from there.

 

[82CardsGrad]

You guys are pretty unrealistic. Harden is by far one of the bes tplayers ASU has ever produced, is a lock for the top 10 at least, and you all think he needs to come back next year on a poor team to show he can carry them?

You realize the NBA doesnt care if James Harden didnt carry his team for 3 games, they look at the body of work and evaluate from there.

Harden won a controversial Pac-10 Player of the Year award in a very weak conference... I could be wrong, but I think he will be a collossal flop as a Lottery Pick... If you told me he went late first round, or early 2nd round, I'd but that... Though, I have to admit I really don't see him translating well to the NBA...

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Harden won a controversial Pac-10 Player of the Year award in a very weak conference... I could be wrong, but I think he will be a collossal flop as a Lottery Pick... If you told me he went late first round, or early 2nd round, I'd but that... Though, I have to admit I really don't see him translating well to the NBA...

It wasn't controversial, the only other person in consideration was Brockman.

He's a guaranteed lottery pick if he decides to leave. End of story. As far as how his game translates to the NBA, well, that pretty much all depends on how he develops his outside game. He definitely needs more lift on his jumpshot at the very least. He should be able to play serviceable NBA defense right away.

 

[82CardsGrad]

It wasn't controversial, the only other person in consideration was Brockman.

He's a guaranteed lottery pick if he decides to leave. End of story. As far as how his game translates to the NBA, well, that pretty much all depends on how he develops his outside game. He definitely needs more lift on his jumpshot at the very least. He should be able to defense right away.

OK...

As for his game, he's a guard... He could be one of the slowest scoring guards I've seen come out as a Lottery Pick in like, forever... If he's not the playmaking point (which it seems pretty clear he's not), then he will seriously struggle...

 

[PoolBoy]

He'll get a lottery guarantee from the Suns, they're going to need the jersey sales next year.

i swear everything to you is attendance, jersey sales, and tradition.

 

[PoolBoy]

Harden does need to prove that he can carry a team. he disappears all the time in games. it was a knock on him coming into college. He disappeared against USC at home until late, times in the Pac-10 tourney, and the NCAA tourney games, among others

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

i swear everything to you is attendance, jersey sales, and tradition.

Well, that's because I don't have this misguided, romanticized view of collegiate sports. When it all comes down to it success over the long-term is largely based on money and those three things I mentioned bring it in.

 

[TheHopToad]

Looks like it's not a lock that he's leaving. Poor tournament showing has him reconsidering.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/2009/03/22/20090322asubkcside0323.html

 

[Gee!]

Looks like it's not a lock that he's leaving. Poor tournament showing has him reconsidering.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/asu/articles/2009/03/22/20090322asubkcside0323.html

He's an idiot if he comes back.. He wont be drafted as high next year..

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Harden does need to prove that he can carry a team. he disappears all the time in games. it was a knock on him coming into college. He disappeared against USC at home until late, times in the Pac-10 tourney, and the NCAA tourney games, among others

And took over countless others when he willed a poor supporting cast to victory.

Not showing up in the Tournament does not affect one's draft status as much as ASU fan (who is obviously waving this flag because they realize how bad ASU would be next year without him) is claiming. Look no further than JJ Redick's postseason failures.

 

[PoolBoy]

And took over countless others when he willed a poor supporting cast to victory.

Not showing up in the Tournament does not affect one's draft status as much as ASU fan (who is obviously waving this flag because they realize how bad ASU would be next year without him) is claiming. Look no further than JJ Redick's postseason failures.

the same JJ redick that is averaging 14.3 minutes per game for his career? I realize ASU is gonna bad if Harden leaves. I think it is best for both if he comes back.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

the same JJ redick that is averaging 14.3 minutes per game for his career?

And got drafted tenth overall.

I realize ASU is gonna bad if Harden leaves. I think it is best for both if he comes back.

Anything Harden needs to improve he'd learn better in the NBA with full-time instruction. Practicing zone defense and the Princeton offense for another year isn't going to help him improve what he needs to learn in the NBA as those strategies are almost never utilized at the next level.

 

[DWKB]

Not showing up in the Tournament does not affect one's draft status as much as ASU fan (who is obviously waving this flag because they realize how bad ASU would be next year without him) is claiming. Look no further than JJ Redick's postseason failures.

But showing strong in the tournament can greatly improve a players draft status though. Kinda funny how that works.

Anything Harden needs to improve he'd learn better in the NBA with full-time instruction. Practicing zone defense and the Princeton offense for another year isn't going to help him improve what he needs to learn in the NBA as those strategies are almost never utilized at the next level.

I was going to post pretty much the same thing. Harden isn't going to learn anything more by staying at ASU.

 

[Russ Smith]

A friend of mine talks to Chris Monter pretty regularly, Monter is an NBA draft expert has been involved with the draft for 15-20 years now.

Anyways from what he says, Monter hears that Harden is a virtual lock as a lottery pick. There are 2 things NBA teams will watch for at workouts, how good of a shooter is he, and can he play defense since ASU played exclusively zone. They love his size, his makeup, he doesn't get rattled but he's intense, he's a great passer and he gets to the line a ton.

FWIW Monter thinks Harden helped himself immensely by staying in school this year.

He also says the freshman player whose draft status dropped the most this year is UCLA's Jrue Holiday who was a top 3 pick when the season started and might not go top 20 now.

 

[PoolBoy]

maybe I just want Harden to stay because I think the NBA sucks. who knows. If Russ' guy and others think he can make the millions this year, why wouldn't he go. But he should definitely get an advisor to tell him what everyone is saying.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

Anything Harden needs to improve he'd learn better in the NBA with full-time instruction. Practicing zone defense and the Princeton offense for another year isn't going to help him improve what he needs to learn in the NBA as those strategies are almost never utilized at the next level.

That's a pretty simplistic way of looking at it. I don't think boning up on the Princeton offense or practicing zone defense will do much to help his overall game, but there is definitely things that he can work on. He needs to become better at going to his right, he needs to continue to improve his shooting, and I'd be interested to see if teams would prefer to see him in more of a PG role. If that was his ambition, I would imagine college may be a better venue for that. Plus, selfishly I'd love to see him back another year, but either way I think he'll be fine.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

There is no way Harden is not a lottery pick. In fact when its all said and done if he doesn't get picked in the Top 5 my jaw will hit the floor. He will be a better NBA player then college player. He was a 1 on 5 sideshow with the Devils.

Any team that passes on him will regret it. He is Brandon Roy Part Deux. And this is coming from a Cats fan.

Staying in school will only hurt his cause - especially with Pendergraph leaving.

He's gone Devils fans. Last one out turn out the lights.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

There is no way Harden is not a lottery pick. In fact when its all said and done if he doesn't get picked in the Top 5 my jaw will hit the floor. He will be a better NBA player then college player. He was a 1 on 5 sideshow with the Devils.

Any team that passes on him will regret it. He is Brandon Roy Part Deux. And this is coming from a Cats fan.

Staying in school will only hurt his cause - especially with Pendergraph leaving.

He's gone Devils fans. Last one out turn out the lights.

Love the sig line...how funny to be crowing after a 19 win season and defeats of mighty Utah and Cleveland State. If you were bragging about those wins pre-tourney, we'd all get a good laugh out of it. The Cats are living a charmed life these days, but unfortunately life #9 will be snuffed out on Friday. You would figure 5 wins in a row over you clowns would induce a modicum of humility, but then you wouldn't understand most cats fans.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

hmm, i intimated that harden may be softer than expected lately, and i have to say . . . his continued play supports this thesis. pac 10 championship and two ncaa tourney poor performances have me questioning not so much his heart, but his ability or desire to step up.

you read boeheim's comments and he basically dismissed him. and that's from a coach that's not really known to be arrogant and has seen a lot of talent over the years, both on his team and others. that speaks volumes to me.

i've already stated that i think harden will be a bust as a lotto pick. he may be a servicable player in the L, but when you're in the lotto you're looking for more. i'm still betting his measures in at 6'3 or 6'4 TOPS, his athleticism (speed and leaping ability) are average, his bball IQ and vision is excellent (those are his big advantages), but to be a leader i think you can't be one of those guys that "let's the game come to him." you have to be willing and ready to take over when necessary. and during the three BIGGEST GAMES OF HIS CAREER he failed to do that. the more i see of him the more i think khalid reeves (at the nba level - b/c honestly, he's less than that at the ncaa level).

that said, he's nuts to return. he can make the most in this draft. he's not going to acquire any further skills next year. and this asu team is going to really stink next year.

if the suns had an opportunity at the end of the lotto to draft him i'd like to know what else is on the board. last year we drafted "ready" (yeah right) guys instead of "upside" guys. i see such limited upside with harden that i'd like to gamble on a boom pick and risk the bust rather than drafting a "servicable" undersized 2-guard.

 

[Arizona's Finest]

Love the sig line...how funny to be crowing after a 19 win season and defeats of mighty Utah and Cleveland State. If you were bragging about those wins pre-tourney, we'd all get a good laugh out of it. The Cats are living a charmed life these days, but unfortunately life #9 will be snuffed out on Friday. You would figure 5 wins in a row over you clowns would induce a modicum of humility, but then you wouldn't understand most cats fans.

Fact are the facts ASUChris. After all the s--- talking you guys have done about 5 and 0 you would think you might be able to advance a little further then a team with an interim coach and no players beyond the first three that snuck into the tourney.

But you would be wrong if you thought that sucka. When this season is remembered later on no one will look back to ASwho going 3-0 against my beloved Cats. They will remember the Sweet 16 and possibly more.

As for ASU's season most just won't remember anything.

Reality bites Devils fans. And so does Irrelevance.