So this thread has gone exactly how I knew it would. A bunch of bitter, petty Celtics fans not giving Wade his due respect.
Wade in his prime was easily better than any SG not named Jordan. Kobe gets the edge for longevity and health, but outside of him no other SG named in this thread has any business being placed above Wade.
I do think it's possible when all is said and done that Harden may end up passing Wade, though. But he isn't there yet.
What makes anyone here bitter or petty, the fact that they aren’t completely overvaluing a guy who benefitted from superior teammates for his noteworthy success?
Never won an MVP. I guess a Finals MVP, scoring title, and two 1st-team All-NBA nods makes you the second-best SG of all-time?
Okayyy. I’d rather be bitter and petty than delusional.
I’m his era alone, at best I’d put him 3rd behind Kobe and Harden (he’s been far more spectacular already, and clearly better in pretty much every facet offensively). He’s already got 4 seasons of higher WS than Wade’s best season. His prime is unquestionably better. Don’t go off longevity for Wade vs Harden but dismiss it for Wade vs Kobe.
Agree entirely. Plus, James Harden's Houston career is already has already almost equaled Wade's pre-Big3 career in terms of games, and in terms of individual play I think it's eclipsed it. Better and more efficient scorer. Generates free throws more and hits them at a higher rate. Better passer and rebounder.
Statistically it isn't even close.
The game has changed way too much to compare their stats without providing context. Wade's best years took place in a completely different NBA. Harden has also made a career out of destroying teams during the regular season. His playoff track record is full inconsistencies and blemishes. Wade wins on intangibles without question. How about defense? Do we trust Harden to make a big play in the final two minutes that doesn't involve scoring?
I'll give you Harden if we are eliminating the playoffs from the discussion. Wade at his peak still wins the argument when factoring in the playoffs. The discrepancy in advanced playoff stats is much closer than you would assume, even if we only look at Wade's pre-LeBron numbers. I want to see how Harden's career finishes before putting him ahead of Wade. He needs a signature playoff series or two at some point.
Let's just remember that we have been seeing some ridiculous statistical feats across the league over the past few years. Guys like Vince Carter and Jamal Crawford have admitted that they wouldn't have lasted as long if the rules hadn't changed.