Thank you, voice of reason. I only wanted Harden to show the Front Office they never learn from their mistakes, let them suffer for them. I would argue Moses Malone is ex aequo or at the same level as Harden but on the defensive end.
Harden wants to be back because he knows we are the only team that will give him the most money. I doubt Philly is that interested in retaining him. Think about that. Even Morey who loves Harden is choosing to move on from him. Why would we want someone who even his biggest fan is choosing to let go of?
Couple of things, Harden has destroyed several teams due to his antics, KPJ never has. Harden is looking at getting the max and the team will be stuck with him for 4 years, KPJ is on a very team friendly contract. Harden is nearing the end, KPJ hasn't even entered his prime.
I would agree he left the Rockets up the creek without a paddle. He did take an unceremonious dump on Brooklyn but Kyrie No-Vax Flat-Earther did worse damage. But, yeah, no overpaying of Harden. He'll still make the dough-re-mi, but $40-45 million per year, no, just no. We do badly need a solid PG. Hell, if we could pry away Halliburton (alas...) with our pick if it doesn't land #1 or #2....
Our imaginative narratives rule the universe, let me try mines Harden didn't destroy OKC, they nitpicked over paying 60 mill to him and he went with Houston and their 80 mill, which is smart as he went from 6th man to high usage franchise caliber of his own team which most young stars covet Then after 8 years got tired of the new owner pinching pennies and being left with whatever was left of Cousins n Wall and rightfully made it public they were not good enough which he would know for basically carrying them to playoffs for almost the entire duration since traded there after 12' season Nets looked like unstoppable force when all were healthy together..... until the plandemic caused Irving to opt out of playing and injuries took its toll, then end up traded to the team that was originally his first choice( Philly) when he wanted out of htown So he had a minor part in so called destroying the Nets with the lions share going to Irving and the undefeated injury bug Which comes out to be 1 out of the 4 teams he has played for that he so called destroyed Smart and aware organizations usually get rid of a player before they can destroy them, especially if they aren't franchise caliber (floor game)
I want Harden back, but let's not downplay what he did here when he left. No, he had not "carried" the team since 2012. The team put talent around him, INCLUDING facilitating one of the worst trades of all time at his request. In fact, had Harden not insisted on trading for Westbrook, we probably don't take a massive step back the year he was traded. The Westbrook trade still haunts us. Yes, he had a massive part in causing our rebuild.
I still have nightmares of his 13 turnover performance. His last 2 games with Philly are a reminder that he disappears under pressure. One of the guys I watch on YouTube is suggesting we're after Harden and Jaylen Brown. Please, no. Just no.
If the Rockets are foolish enough to give Harden the max, it'll sabotage Udoka before he even begins. There's no "hold them accountable" when Harden is on the team, he had always done whatever he wants, whenever he wants and that'll never change. If Udoka tries to talk tough, Harden will demand he be fired and management will have no choice. Poor guy picks the Rockets and all the rumors are that he'll get saddled with an aging coach killer on a ludicrous contract from day one
I haven't kept track. But I don't see the connection between those who don't want Harden back and those who want to keep KPJ. I think probably only a couple of fanatics would not want Harden BECAUSE they want to keep KPJ as the starting PG. Even the most staunch KPJ defenders admit that he is playing out of position. In fact, it has been used as an excuse for his problems. Anyway, most people who don't think getting Harden back is a good idea also don't want to keep KPJ, at least not as starting PG. My view has been that if Harden would take a discounted short contract (no more than 2 years), I'd welcome him back. A 4-year max deal should be out of the question.
I just can’t get excited about a Harden/Jalen backcourt. Im worried about the defense. All 3 other positions in the rotation will have to be all-defensive team type players. That’s not likely to be the case with Sengun. Harden will definitely unlock our offense and make our other players better offensively. But without any two-way players in the backcourt there is no way we’ll be a good team. Udoka is gonna have to pull off some magic on the defensive end. Basically Jalen has to take a huge leap next season, especially on defense. Not excited about the inevitability of Harden and Jalen. I don’t see that as a good backcourt.
Exactly, as the by far the best shooter on the team, KPJ would benefit most from Harden coming back... it's still a bad idea.
