Kobe blew a 3-1 lead against the Suns. Jordan lost game 7 to the Pistons because of Pippen's migraine, I can't imagine he'd do any better if Pippen was literally out due to a hamstring injury.
When has an organisation come out and said their franchise player can be had by a monstrous haul, with multiple years left on his contract? Yeah this era is done. Harden is as good as gone. Winter is here.
Harden is a generational talent that with little to nothing around him has carried us for years. He has taken more on his shoulder than any star had except perhaps Dream in 1994. If he had any of the talent LeBron or Durant had he would have a ton of rings but he was with a Dwight Howard that wouldn't play to his strengths and Westbrook who is just the worst IQ player in the league. His one year with a solid Chris Paul almost toppled the biggest Dynasty in Sports in a generation. Unfortunately Harden pushed for Westbrook and we do have an owner that seems to be skirting his way to reduce payroll, overhead and limiting the ability to have extra assets. Ownership seems focused on looking like they're doing the most they can while doing actions that seem more to reduce the financial burden. The target should be Westbrook to the Clippers for Paul George. George is a perfect fit for Harden with his steadiness, 3 point shooting, tough defense and the ability to defer. Replace George with Westy and run it back. Clippers need to make a change and Ballmer is willing to spend big bucks.
It really is mind blowing that Tilman's ego is allowing all of these dominos to fall. The $2.2B he paid for the team was tied to likely having two superstars for a longer term. That seems to be what drives valuation up. When you lose one of the most recognizable and top 3 players in the league, you're losing a ton of value, especially if you're in a smaller market and not in China's good graces. This team could very well be losing money for the next several years, especially with COVID and a decrease in viewers. Jazz just sold for $1.6B with some significant younger stars and in a similar market. Houston could be worth $1.3-$1.5B without Harden, WB, and Morey to build a fringe playoff team on the cheap. Tilman likely has lost $900m in value on the Rockets which he may be highly levered on, his primary businesses are in hospitality, this pain is not going to last long for Rockets fans as we will have a new owner soon. Hopefully that new owner is smart and knows how to hire the right people and sit back. No some furniture store owner who is worth 2% of what Tilman is will not rescue the team, it will be someone who is in a different league from Tilman.
Kobe G5 29, 7, 5 on 58% and 38% shooting Kobe G6 50, 8, 5 on 57% and 62% shooting Kobe G7 24, 4, 1 on 50% and 50% shooting He quit in G7. He did not flop 2 games in a row with 1 needed to escape. He balled and went nuts in G6. I'd put my $$ on him having one crazy game in the last two to get to the Finals. Jordan had 31, 8, 9 on 48% shooting in G7 vs Detroit. He didn't play like garbage. Harden flamed out in G6 and G7.
How old were they and how old is Harden? Is there a path to make us a contender? Consider that. If Harden can't be a contender on the Rockets for the next 3 years. He should be traded
Let’s be the first team to not grant trade requests. You signed the contract, play or get fined b****.
If you get offered Simmons & picks and you think you can move on from RW, you have to make the trade at this point.
Harden doesn't need a goat team to fall apart. Dwight carried him while he fell apart in the first round against the Blazers. Then he fell apart without Kawhi against the Spurs.
Nah but he had flashes of brilliance. I would call him a postseason performer, a borderline superstar. His body of work does not suggest he is the perfect No 1 option. At least 1 tier below Shaq who wasn't as skilled or versatile. That said, Euros are so good at being the supporting performer, with leaders like Dirk and Luka.
With the Blazers, he wasnt as good. Dwight carried and then Harden proceeded to carry him for years to come. One game, yea he had one of the worst games of his career. It happens, Superstars have bad games like that in their career. Lebron in 2011, Durant blowing a 3-1 lead to GS, Kawhi blowing a 3-1 lead to Denver(really bad in game 7). Curry Blew a 3-1 lead to Cleveland. Harden hasnt accomplished as much as these guys but can you honestly say he's been playing with talent equivalent to what these guys have had? Im not making an argument that Harden is better than Kobe and Jordan but relative to his contemporary peers, and even those two, he has hasnt played with their level of talent.
