James Harden and SGA have remarkably similar playoff stats…
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James Harden and SGA have remarkably similar playoff stats
I was looking through playoff stats and noticed this:
In James Harden’s prime (2014-2020), he averaged 29/6/7 on 58 TS% in the playoffs.
In SGA’s prime (2024-2026), he has averaged 29/5/7 on 58 TS% in the playoffs.
Harden went to the WCF twice during his prime (also went twice with OKC and once to the ECF with Cleveland), but Harden lost both times to the Golden State dynasty.
SGA has went to the WCF twice (beat Minnesota and won the championship and lost to the Spurs).
I find these similarities interesting because these players have completely different playoff perceptions and are talked about differently. Harden had to go against what is likely the best team in NBA history, otherwise he would probably have a ring.
People bring up Harden’s “lows,” or terrible playoff games, which is valid because he has bottomed out a lot. But so has Shai in just 3 years of playoffs:
\- 8/27 in Game 7 of the finals (his team just won)
\- 5 abysmal shooting games against the Spurs (7/23, 6/17, 6/15, 7/19, 6/18)
\- 24/68 shooting stretch against Memphis (his team just won)
Harden also was much more valuable to his team at the time.
From 2014-2020, Houston was +1.5 NET with Harden on the court and -6.7 with Harden off the court in the playoffs.
From 2024-2026, OKC is +5.5 NET with SGA on the court and +18.8 with SGA off the court in the playoffs.
Why are these players perceived to be so different in the playoffs? I understand OKC won a ring, but they won it because of their defense, not their offense, and did not have to go against a team of Golden State’s caliber.
#sport
I was looking through playoff stats and noticed this:
In James Harden’s prime (2014-2020), he averaged 29/6/7 on 58 TS% in the playoffs.
In SGA’s prime (2024-2026), he has averaged 29/5/7 on 58 TS% in the playoffs.
Harden went to the WCF twice during his prime (also went twice with OKC and once to the ECF with Cleveland), but Harden lost both times to the Golden State dynasty.
SGA has went to the WCF twice (beat Minnesota and won the championship and lost to the Spurs).
I find these similarities interesting because these players have completely different playoff perceptions and are talked about differently. Harden had to go against what is likely the best team in NBA history, otherwise he would probably have a ring.
People bring up Harden’s “lows,” or terrible playoff games, which is valid because he has bottomed out a lot. But so has Shai in just 3 years of playoffs:
\- 8/27 in Game 7 of the finals (his team just won)
\- 5 abysmal shooting games against the Spurs (7/23, 6/17, 6/15, 7/19, 6/18)
\- 24/68 shooting stretch against Memphis (his team just won)
Harden also was much more valuable to his team at the time.
From 2014-2020, Houston was +1.5 NET with Harden on the court and -6.7 with Harden off the court in the playoffs.
From 2024-2026, OKC is +5.5 NET with SGA on the court and +18.8 with SGA off the court in the playoffs.
Why are these players perceived to be so different in the playoffs? I understand OKC won a ring, but they won it because of their defense, not their offense, and did not have to go against a team of Golden State’s caliber.
#sport
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