Who’s Better: DeMar DeRozan Or James Harden?
James Harden (photo. Nicky Woo)
JAMES HARDEN
On a last second whim during this past season’s trade deadline, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded away one of their better offensive talents in Jeff Green for Celtic defensive specialist Kendrick Perkins. There was a lot of banter about it, mostly coming from Boston where it felt like the Celtics traded away their championship aspirations. Lost in the public’s analysis of the trade was something that the Thunder organization had known for years: it was finally time for James Harden to come out of his shell. Prior to the end of the 2010-11 season, James Harden was well revered for having the league’s best beard. Now that he has had a chance to showcase his talent, people better get used to the furry two guard making big-time plays.
Most notable for Demar DeRozan last year was his appearance in the Dunk Contest. Harden doesn’t have nearly enough bunnies or athleticism to compete with DeRozan, but he is still the superior player. The numbers don’t reflect it, but James Harden is much more of a team player than DeRozan. Despite barely edging DeRozan in assists per game, this past season Harden passed for five or more assists in a game 13 times compared to DeRozan’s two. Harden is also 100 times more consistent shooting the ball. While Harden knocks down well over a three per game, DeRozan musters up only half of an attempt. His lack of a jump shot has been one of his main hindrances throughout his young career.
Defensively, both players are versatile. Despite being smaller than DeRozan, Harden inches by DeRozan with an incredible 6-10 wingspan. Their lanky bodies allow both players to close off passing lanes and pick up the occasional block. Harden, however, is set up to be better defensively in the future. With tree trunks like Serge Ibaka and Kendrick Perkins protecting the hoop, Harden can afford to pressure defenders and take some gambles.
[Related: Who's Better - Rajon Rondo Or Russell Westbrook?]
I am a true believer that you become a better player by being a part of meaningful games. In somewhat of an unfair advantage, Harden will be perceived better because of the success of the team he’s playing on. Having already played in 23 playoff games, Harden understands the pressures of big time games and can hold his own. This past postseason, he averaged 13.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 31.6 minutes of play. The teammates you have around you often make you the player that you are. With all of the star power that Oklahoma City has, Harden can play his role without having to worry about carrying the whole squad on his back. Tough for DeRozan to say the same. Stuck in Canada with a team under construction, DeRozan won’t have nearly as many opportunities to play in important games.
I know people are going to say, “Well if DeRozan was on the Thunder, then he would be the better player.” Personally, I don’t think he would fit at all. Durant alone is enough to shoulder the scoring load for a full team, but throw in a ball dominant point guard like Russell Westbrook and there is simply no need for another aggressive offensive mind. Harden may not be faster or more athletic than most, but that’s why he deserves all the credit in the world. For being only 22 years old, his basketball IQ is off the charts. He can shoot from both deep and midrange, attack the hoop, distribute, and of course, defend. Although it’s only summer pick-up games, Harden looks improved this offseason and ready to build on his breakout year. Sure DeRozan is flashy and exciting to watch, but if you’re looking for a player who can mesh with any player or team, then James Harden is your guy.
-KEVIN SMITH
Who would you take?
Follow Sean on Twitter at @SEANesweeney.
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October 24th, 2011 at 12:45 pm
deeds says:
As of RIGHT NOW I would say Harden is better. He put up a few really big games in the playoffs last year and has an overall better game to me. But like the article said, Demar gets better almost by the minute. He took HUGE strides last season and the same could not be said for Harden. When it is all said and done I think Derozen will have the better career, and ultimately be the better player in his prime.
October 24th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
baloogawhales says:
Fantasy-wise I’d choose Demar Derozan, bc he and Bargnani have to do everything over there. But I like Harden’s game a lot better. More fun to watch. ( mostly cus I haven’t seen a Raptors game recently)
October 24th, 2011 at 2:38 pm
Jason says:
Gotta agree with deeds. Harden is a better player right now. But, if DD develops a consistent jumper (and, that’s a big IF), he’s gonna be pretty damn good.
October 24th, 2011 at 2:42 pm
beiber newz says:
Many people would say Harden because he plays on the more exciting team and barely know much about Derozen outside of youtube highlights. I know a lot about both players and I can say confidently that Demar Derozen seperates himself as the better player simply off consistency. Harden is far too inconsistent when it comes to scoring and game approach, slthough it has served to his advantage at times. Harden plays with such speed, energy and swag. I know, swag, why’s that important? I think Harden’s swag, or more formally speaking, his attitude, that he plays with fuels his game and his energy. It gets him going. When he hit two shots in a rwo, you watch his face and he is getting hype. I see the same things in JR Smith. When Harden get his swag up, he can begin to go on roles. But here’s the problem. When he misses early on, he tends to shoot himself out the game. He doesn’t score on a consistent clip. One game he explodes for 20 and the next 7. This is a product of being a bench player and playing behind 2 people who needs their shots. Derozen doesn’t seem to suffer from this problem. If Derozen DOESN’T score in double figures it’s looked at as NOT normal. If Harden scores 9 points, it’s not necessarily surprising. To get back to Derozen, the only thing I would consider inconsistent in Derozen’s game is his rebounding. He possesses superior athleticism and has plentiful games with at least 7, 8, or 9 boards, only reaching 10 once but he possesses the tools to be an exceptional rebounder. However, he narrowly missed 4rpg. Harden has an inconsistency in assists. He can handle point guard duties. He has good play making skills. OKC has the option of switching Westbrook to the 2 allowing Harden to make plays. He does this when his scoring is out of whack. It’s a good gameplan, when Harden is struggling to score. The bottom line is Derozen wins out. I want my two guard to be athletic, but most of all consistent. Bring me the consistency and I can feel confident in my gameplan. If I’m worried abut what you’ll bring to the game, I won’t feel confident in giving you minutes which when I think about that, it could be the reason he is the 6th man.
October 24th, 2011 at 2:45 pm
beiber newz says:
o yea, and i think dime agrees with me….why else would they make derozen the main cover pic!!!! ha
October 24th, 2011 at 3:17 pm
matt says:
I think Harden is better than DD right now. BUT DD is constantly improving. PS. his jumper is reliable, he can’t shoot the 3 (has no long-range in him) but he doesn’t take a lot of 3s. Plays to his advantages. Also, I am glad to see the raps attack the rim. was so tired of them just chucking up 3s all the time. Lastly, @ baloogawhales,I am a raps fan, live in toronto too. Bargs needs to be traded. He just chucks up shots, Dirk’s hand is better than him. Bargnani is the worst big man @ d and rebounding.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:57 pm
north says:
Listen, coming from Toronto and watching more Raptors games than all ya’ll combined Harden would be an absolute beast if he suited up beside the riff raff here. DeMar is a highlight guy, and we love him for it. Does he step it up when needed though, no. He’s consistently bullied and shy’s away when they need him to man up. Don’t get me wrong, the kid can ball. But put him on a better team and his numbers go WAY down. Beside Bayless, Ed Davis and the rest of the Young Onez DeMar is going to get people excited… but they aren’t going to win games. Harden plays in his system. Toronto would love to swap these two. Lord knows we need someone step up when the time comes.
October 24th, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Sean Sweeney says:
@Beibs I threw DeRozan’s photo on the first pg. for pretty much what you said: almost everyone automatically assumes Harden is better. You should see the Twitter response. It’s probably 80% Harden, with some people saying it’s not a question.
But look at this:
Player A- 27 mpg, 12 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast, 43% shooting, 22 years old
Player B- 35 mpg, 17 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 47% shooting, 22 years old
Different situations obviously, but it’s amazing what attention/winning can do for you. I love Harden’s game, but DeRozan is on his way too.
October 24th, 2011 at 10:22 pm
beiber newz says:
@ Sean, thank you. You hit it on the head when you said “it’s amazing what attention/winning can do for you”
as a whole, the casual fan doesn’t really focus on toronto. it’s just easier for them to say harden because he plays on the more exciting team. the thunder are hot right now..so i’m not too shocked people’s impulse was to anoint harden.
October 24th, 2011 at 11:18 pm
spirow says:
Actually i’ll pick demar any day. . . you guys need to realize that demar until 28th of december only averaged 7 points per game. . . But during those newyear games and everything after just went up for him. . . Whcih means for him to average 17 by the end of the season he would have to put in numbers in which are consistently in the mid 20′s and he has done so. . . He’s better then harden I think, not to mention the floor for James Harden is much more open then it is for Demar. People play off harden because they got Russel and KD, hence their game plans around those two not james tho I still think James harden is a good players but demars better
October 25th, 2011 at 2:04 am
D - NICE says:
Demar will eventually be better than Harden….his mid range J is pretty good and he’s developing further range…he attacks the rim, his handle is getting tighter and he’s starting to step up in close games..DeRozan is gonna be like VC with heart…..Raps mgmt just needs to surround him and the rest of the Young Onez core with some good veteran talent and you’ll the Raps playing in bigger, more meaningful games
October 25th, 2011 at 2:06 am
D - NICE says:
*see
October 25th, 2011 at 8:16 am
JAY says:
north nailed it.
October 25th, 2011 at 12:59 pm
dagwaller says:
Mayo vs. Harden. Makes more sense.
October 25th, 2011 at 5:01 pm
beiber newz says:
HARDEN PLAYS ON A TEAM WHERE HIS IS PROBABLY THE 3RD OR FOURTH GUY COACHES WORRY ABOUT. DEROZEN HAS HIS NAME ON THE OPPOSING COACHES BOARD FROM JUMP. BARGNANI AND HIM MAYBE A TOSS UP. BUT HARDEN GETS HIS BUCKETS IN A SNEAKY WAY ESPECIALLY COMING OFF THE BENCH. DEROZEN IS THE BETTER PLAYER. IF YOU GUYS ARE HAPPY WITH A PLAYER IN HARDEN, THEN GET COMFORTABLE WITH NIGHTS WHERE HE SCORES 5. CUZ IT’S HIS M.O. VERY INCONSISTENT SCORER. I CAN’T DEAL WITH THAT.
TIM DUNCAN ONCE SAID, WHAT SEPARATES GOOD PLAYERS FROM BETTER PLAYERS IS CONSISTENCY AND TIMMY HAS FOLLOWED THAT MODEL. DEROZEN WILL GET ME AT LEAST 15 A NIGHT. GIVE ME HIM OVER HARDEN WHO IS JUST A BALL OF ENERGY. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN HE RUNS OUT OF ENERGY? I’LL TAKE THE NATURALLY ATHLETIC DEROZEN WHO WILL BE A MODEL OF CONSISTENCY. NORTH DEF NAILED IT ON THE HEAD…SIKE!!
October 25th, 2011 at 10:29 pm
Sammy G. says:
I’m gonna have to go with DeMar on this one. Once he develops and builds confidence in his three-point shot, look out league!
October 25th, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Chaos says:
I say right now Harden is a better player but Derozan is expected to make more mistakes because he is on Toronto’s team and there will be more growing pains. He is not the number 1 option but he will be once that shot develops. Lets face it, Demar is built more to be a number one guy than Bargnani and Harden. Harden on the other hand is playing in a system where the main attraction is Westbrook and Durant and he doesnt have to do as much. he can be a solida number two who averages 15 to 19 pts a game with a handfull of assist, steals and rebounds and he is a better all around player but Demar is the future man on any team…if he matures