James won't mesh well with a Robin. Not that he won't try. But it's not his game. He's ball dominant and doesn't move off the ball. That's why they tried to pair him with a Robin that was a"big" that didn't need high usage. Unfortunately that big was declining fast physically and wasn't willing to give up post touches, where he really sucked. Even still, with that Robin, even though he missed a lot of the regular season, the team went its furthest in the playoffs in 20 years, and did so with James' batman completely ******** the bed and the Robin and a bunch of role players staging the most memorable comeback in team history. Anyway... to that point then, the perfect Robin?? Probably Blake Griffin. Doesn't need the ball in his hands, should work well with James on PnR, fills a need at forward, can play 2 positions. Interestingly, Hayward would be a great 3rd Robin, too. Again, not a high usage / ball in his hand player, more likely to move on the offensive end, can play 2-3 positions if needed. PBev Harden Hayward Griffin Capela Is probably as good as you can get it. I mean, is Paul George or Jimmy Butler a better option than Hayward?? Probably. But I don't see those guys meshing very well. They might have some success, but it would be incredibly frustrating to watch
Yes. And this is why @basketballholic is wrong when he constantly pushes for a primary play maker (Rubio) to take Harden off the ball. It will be a colossal mess. James wants to handle the ball at all times given the opportunity. That's his game.
Absolutely. Would not work at all. @basketballholic is interesting in that he recognizes James' flaws, and is for keeping him but forcing him to be a better player through coaching and the players they put around him. Which won't work. Especially since the opposite has happened, and they've put the ball in his hands more and more, and he moves in the offense off-ball less and less and he turns it over more and more every year. I'm for moving on from Harden... but if you don't, you have to put talented, but CLEAR beta's next to him. Blake is the best option of that. Especially since he can be an alpha during those times you need him to be.
Basically, the answer to this question will (hopefully) be, "Whomever takes the Rockets' money." We have always been in a "beggars can't be choosers" position, for one reason or another. GS = Superteam = Bye Bye, Durant. Boston = We'll have a high draft pick in 2017, we have hope for the future = Bye Bye Horford. San Antonio = Your kid lives near here and we have Pop and Kawhi = Bye Bye Aldridge. Boston or Utah or Miami = Probably Bye Bye Hayward. Other teams can re-sign their own free agents for much more. A lot of free agents love the Rockets' pitch but we're the Buffalo Bills when it comes to free agency so far.
