I agree. I like Millsap, but he'll cost a lot. One good thing about him is that he's got some clutch moments in his career, so he can handle the big moment. Ha, I thought the same thing. Looks like Ryan will be 33 now though. I just wonder what Paul George would want if we get him. Makes you want to helicopter all day, doesn't it? We all know who needs to start that. That one guy that is always saying it's a media conspiracy and that it deserves it's own thread. Os something... I almost want to go make a bet for us to win it all that can be sold back during the year. I have a really good feeling that much more is coming and our odds will change again.
JVG: How does it work out? Good question. There will be a period of adjustment. Mike has to convince Paul to shoot the three more off the catch when in a spot up position & get the ball up quicker when he's the one who has the ball. Harden has to get used to reduced time with the ball. It will be an adjustment for both. Not sure it will translate into more regular season wins (going from 55 wins to 65) but they'll make a good improvement. It forces them to be better in the playoffs particularly when Harden is out of the game & when Harden is in a struggle, like he was last year vs. San Antonio. It helps them have a better chance in the playoffs against great teams in the West. Which team would get the biggest lift by adding George? The Detroit Pistons. Boston will be players because players see them as a group, that if they can stay together, can be a great team. On par with anyone else in the East. I don't know if Boston would rather have George or Hayward. Probably Hayward because it's just cap room. Paul George, as good as he is, is underrated. He's a weapon on both sides of the floor. To against the best SFs in the league, Boston would hugely benefit by his two-way brilliance.
Harden helped sell Paul on Rockets Ariza, Brown also were in their friend and former teammate’s ear So why Houston? Why would Paul go to a team where the backcourt includes two superstars who want the ball in their hands? Why not go to the Spurs, where coach Gregg Popovich has won five titles and has an NBA MVP candidate in Kawhi Leonard and a former All-Star in LaMarcus Aldridge? Houston hasn’t won an NBA title since 1995. One reason is the Rockets had three great recruiters who were in Paul’s ear to come to Houston: Harden, starting small forward Trevor Ariza and reserve point guard Bobby Brown. There are levels to this stuff, as Harden and Paul are members of the NBA elite world and have been friends for a while. Who knows what they have been talking about behind the scenes? Ariza and Brown are also former New Orleans Hornets teammates of Paul’s, and they remain close friends. Paul was seriously interested in playing for the Spurs, according to a source. But with Aldridge’s status with the Spurs up in the air, it made the situation less attractive. It probably would have been awkward for Paul to take the starting role over longtime Spurs point guard, respected foe and friend Tony Parker. A source close to Paul told The Undefeated after the Utah Jazz eliminated the Clippers in the first round of last season’s playoffs that a key to Paul’s return was playing for a winning team. The Clippers had been eliminated from the playoffs in the first round two years in a row, keeping Paul from getting to his first conference Finals. The NBA champion Golden State Warriors have owned the Clippers since losing to them in the first round of the playoffs in 2014. While Paul was open to returning to the Clippers, they appeared more likely to regress than progress in a very tough West – with or without Paul – unless a surprise move was made. The biggest question is how will Paul and Harden make it work with one basketball? Harden was given the point guard keys and led the league in assists under 2017 NBA Coach of the Year Mike D’Antoni’s high-octane offense last season. A source close to Paul said that the veteran point guard has no problem playing off the ball and would enjoy doing that a lot more. Harden and Paul can now share point guard duties, which would be natural for Harden, since he has played primarily at shooting guard in his career. The fact that Harden recruited Paul to Houston also showed that he is willing to share the rock. Keep in mind that the Rockets were a third seed in the West without Paul, a nine-time All-Star who can share the big shot and game pressure with Harden. “It’s great for Houston,” former Rockets guard Mario Elie told The Undefeated. “That dude [Paul] is an outstanding player. One of the best point guards in the league. He can reel in James a little bit. Chris also knows and is OK with James being ‘the guy’ in Houston. I think they will be fantastic together.” With Paul in a Rockets uniform days before free agency begins, Houston has an opportunity to sell playing with beloved guys to prospective free agents and perhaps even Indiana Pacers All-Star Paul George, too. And if it goes bad for Paul in Houston next season, he has the ability to depart as a free agent in 2018. Yes, Paul was very quiet in his quest to join Harden and the Rockets. The Rockets, however, will be far from quiet in the NBA now with these two backcourt stars together. “Chris believes that Houston gives him the best chance to win now,” a source close to Paul said.
I haven't read the whole thread so not sure if someone already mentioned it, but... Eric Gordon has been traded for Chris Paul, and 6 years later they find themselves playing for the same team...how weird (in a good sense) is that??
I was about to comment how they kept all the ppl traded for CP3 (Bev, Harrell, Dek, Lou) out of the video. Eric Gordon and Clint both received passes, but no Anderson... Interesting.
Well, I'll give you that there are a few miles put on his wheels. Next year will be his 13th season? Not unheard of in the NBA, 33 I would consider most to be past their physical prime but still very effective players. How much left in the tank, I think that's a question for about 5 years from now. As far as his production...hasn't declined yet but he's always been Batman. I think coming here, he knows he's coming to be Robin. So this year his overall production may take a slight hit but everything that comes with him is going to be a net positive. His leadership, attitude. His recruiting. And yeah, let's not forget, he's still among the NBA's premier guards. The biggest boost we're going to see is when Harden sits and we don't have to rely on Lou or Gordon or Bev to run offense. Let's face it, those guys got A LOT of love here but were limited especially in comparison to CP. And if he brings Melo...Hell I'm not even a huge CP guy but those guys have always been the best players on their team. If they're coming here with their heads in the right place, as supporting roles to the magnificence of Harden? I think that's a little different ballgame.
I said the same thing on the facespace and people thought I was dumb, Gordon for George was happening no matter what... Sure. No Anderson and Melo rumored on the way. Whatevs.
I agree brother. Basically what you're saying (general consensus).....Chris Paul is still Chris Paul lol. That's nothing to sneeze at. He's not just a name shell of his former self. He's still Chris Paul, seasoned vet, wiser and therefore better in many respects (probably). He is probably the best pure PG Rockets have ever had....(Harden was a PG last year but I think/hope you know what I mean). I still can't believe we have a true future first ballot Hall of Famer PG in CP3 HERE....in Houston. I have to be optimistic about CP3s mileage based off of Stockton, Kidd, Nash in their latter years. David
It's incredible to see stat lines in the video of 20 points 20 Assists 0 turnovers......15 points, 17 Assists, 0 turnovers etc. Harden was GREAT as a point guard last year. But there is still a difference between Harden as a PG and CP3 as a PG.
