Yes, some are now better positioned. But it took 5-10 years wandering in the wilderness to do so. And many still are not. I'd say Orlando is no better now than they are 3 years ago. Same with Utah - they have promise but are not necessarily better. Philly has promise but they missed on draft picks and are 2-3 years away from the playoffs. MN has great assets. Maybe KAT will become James Harden one day or better. Maybe. In 3-4 years. And they spent 10+ years in lotto land to do it. None of the others has a clear James Harden. We made the WCF last year. The team obviously was a smoking ruin last year, but I'd prefer not to overreact and see what happens next year. The uncertainty will if nothing else be entertaining. My main concern is that I actually like Morey, and I don't see things going well for him anyway. We do well and Dantoni gets the credit (and power). We do poorly and Morey gets the blame. but there's still a chance that the product that they put on the floor will (assuming health which is a major concern for me) be wildly entertaining even if it won't challenge GW, Spurs, Clips. I think spots 4-8 are up for grabs and I think Harden has been shamed into trying harder on defense and chemistry will be better.
I'm not sure. In two years we could be good again but it's not like the Thunder were a bad team and still KD left them. Sure, OKC is a crap hole to live in, but Harden does love LA lifestyle.
My money is on him taking our 5 year full max offer. The usual jabronis will see this as proof positive he is all about the money because who in their right mind would stay in Houston. He won't be showing loyalty or anything that could be viewed as positive. It will be viewed around here as a greedy money grab. Mark that **** down.
It's quite en vogue to hate the Rockets right now. It seems like everyone that is a "fan" wants the team to implode. The truth is, Golden State has only won one championship. Harden is one season removed from his MVP season, and tbh was the only person who really performed last year. Management knows this. They appreciate him, and they also gave him his chance to become the phenom he is by giving him the keys to the franchise early on. If he doesn't appreciate this, then he bolts. Then again, if he does that it means he doesn't have the testicular fortitude to win anyways. Fans get what they want, a season where we unwillingly tank and move up in the draft. I don't see it going down that way. Harden needs this team as much as we need him. Everyone is so quick to hand Cleveland or GS the championship. Injuries happen, tempers flare and flaws are exposed on a daily basis. That's why we play the games. This is James' team. If he goes out and trains this summer, works on his game, we will make noise. If we win, and go deep in the playoffs I don't see him leaving. If he rests, goofs off, and regresses, then he isn't a guy that we want or should give the keys of the franchise to. In fact, no team will ever again give him Cate Blanchett the way we do. Look at what Derrick Rose is doing now. He will be another Derrick Rose, but instead of injury prone he will be a mental midget. I believe in James. Morey and Les do too. Come trade deadline, if this team is resting anywhere near the middle of the pack, look at Morey to pick up a disgruntled star or parts from a team looking to tank and bolstering this roster. We are positioned well, and while we aren't contenders, this team can turn the corner quickly.
I don't know if anyone else has posted this, but another thing to consider in this conversation is what will happen with the next CBA, which will take place before Harden becomes a free agent. With Durant moving to Golden State and the cap increasing so much, I'm guessing that super teams and giving players incentives to play with their existing teams will be a major topic of conversation. In the current NBA landscape, there isn't a huge incentive to stay with your current team aside from the fifth year. And players can get around that with a sign and trade. But if the owners decide to change that, then Houston may have more tools at their disposal to keep Harden in two years.
We could probably get Brandon Ingram, and Jordan Clarkson for him right now. He would promise LA to resign also. The longer we wait, we will only be able to get Timofey Mozgov and Louis Williams and a future 2nd round pick since Lakers will know he will sign with them anyway. You have to trade him now or before the deadline if you want a deal that sets up a bright future. Very crucial. If not? We either lose him for nothing after 2 more mediocre first round exits with 2 years left of Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon on our roster and enter a 5+ year period of trying to stay competitive and end up with #14 draft picks. Dark times ahead my friends.
Dwight has been playing for the Rockets the last 3 seasons. And indeed he left for a better opportunity last week.
Yes, he will. He is not a superstar, money is all he wants. Rockets can give him more than any other team. so He will stay.
I believe Harden will stay, because he is "plugged in" with the Owner. Harden is involved and thus, invested. We kind of hate some of the control he has.....but it is just that control that augments the Rockets chances of keeping him.
You sure Adidas ain't gonna tell him he'll get a bonus if he goes to LA? Remember they pay him more than we do.
We didn't offer the fully loaded 5 yr max to him. Horford didn't get it either and he left. Derozen and Conley got full offers and stayed. Of course durant didn't but it is a definite advantage. With the new cba I bet there will be other advantages.
Why do that? Rockets have a ton of fans in China, Adidas never told Tmac to go anywhere and Dwight came here, two Adidas guys.
Horford left the Hawks mainly because the concern of 3 guys player for 2 positions after adding Dwight. No matter the Rockets will offer Dwight a contract a not, its very clear his intention to resign here is close to none. Its his decision to leave because the last year is a player's option, given the current shltty state of the Rockets, if his 3rd year option will be a team option, I am pretty sure the team will exercise it and he still will be a Rockets next year.
