I like this better than bringing back Harden to be the iso king. CP3 is a proven mentor which is what we desperately need with a young team. Next season is a year for growth for the young ones after throwing away the last few seasons on an utterly incompetent coach. I support any move that helps that.
Did he ever get the Clippers past the 2nd round? A team with a prime DJ, Blake griffin, and multiple high quality role players. There’s definitely an argument, even if i ultimately agree with you. The only team he “elevated” was the thunder.
FWIW, the CP3 that played last season was not the renaissance vegan CP3 of 2020-22, it was an older version of the one that showed up in Houston in 2019.
If we are going to sign one well-paid veteran that isn’t going to bring us to near-immediate contention, I agree, he’s best man for the job. Would definitely make us competitors for playin or even low seed playoff contender.
Well, since we won't be competing immediately, we won't have to worry about his hammy blowing up during the playoffs...
Former franchise player and current 76ers guard James Harden is the top target for Houston in free agency, according to league sources, representing the veteran leadership and elite point guard needed to establish structure and offensive cohesion. Outside of Harden, other high-ranking targets for Houston include Brook Lopez, Dillon Brooks and restricted free agents Cam Johnson and Austin Reaves, league sources said. They also said acquiring a veteran point guard is Houston’s primary objective, meaning even if a move for Harden didn’t materialize, names like Mike Conley, Jordan Clarkson, Donte DiVincenzo and even former Rockets player Chris Paul could be considered should they become available. Chris Paul sounds like a footnote or last resort…if the Rockets don’t get what they really want, then even someone like Chris Paul could be considered as an option
I think the best thing to do with our cap space is to trade Nix for CP3 and sign Harden. Batman and Robin together again. And Clutch da Bear (for the State Farm commercials). 2018 all over again! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? No! Who's with me? Harden and CP3! AAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhh Anyone? (sound of crickets) Bueller? (sound of a cockroach farting) Bueller? (sound of a mouse getting a hard-on)
The Clippers went from trash who has only 1 playoff appearance in 15 years to perennial playoff team. The Hornets went from trash to a playoff team. The Thunder lost 2 all stars and had a team with a bunch of kids and he got them to the playoffs. The Suns were a bad team that went to the NBA finals when he got there. The Rockets went from good team to a team that won 65 games and nearly knocked off the Warriors Those Clippers teams were carried by him. Getting past the 2nd round is the least of our concerns, lets win 30 games first. Not that this "rumor" means anything, no way in hell he wants to come here.
I mean, it's not happening, but I'd love it. Yeah he's old, yeah he was awful against the Warriors in his last series with us. But we need future, he would be great at getting our young guys to excel at basketball and that is all we can hope for. Look at Booker and SGA and just hope Green can make a similar leap, I'd be all for it. And the bonus part is it most certainly would mean that Harden is nowhere near Houston. I "loved" him as long as he was here (as I "love" Green, Sengun and Bari now), but please let him be history.
I like Harden but I’d much prefer CP3 if we’re going the mentor route. But I’m not sure why he’d sign with the Rockets.
CP3 would be a great leadership guy for our youngsters. He is the proper role model unlike Harden. He would help with our guys development innumerably
Here is my read- Just as Harden is signaling to the Sixers that they better get that max deal and suitable coach ready, the Rockets leaking an interest in Paul is meant to inform Harden that a 4 year max is off the table.
Chris Paul wants top dollar, and a chance to win the championship before he’s done. He can’t get both in Houston. Chris Paul maximizing his earning potential will forever hamper the franchise he is a part of. He’s also 38. And while we don’t care to see him dunk the basketball anymore, he still has to guard someone defensively. He has got to be the oldest starting guard in the league. If I’m paying 30 mil a year to a vet playing 25 mins or less per game, something is wrong with that picture. It tells me we screwed up the offseason and free agency so we ended overpaying someone to add veteran presence to a team thats trash anyway.
