I agree with this to a degree, however I do think that there is a correlation between how much a player's success depends on his athleticism and how much longevity he can potentially have. That's why guys like CP3, Nash, Stockton just kept chugging along and played into their late 30s. In his prime, I think Harden kind of had both aspects to his game. He was never an ultra-explosive athlete, but he did used to have a great first step and his game has always relied on his strength and ability to finish through contact. I think we've already seen his driving decline significantly as those attributes have faded. But commensurately, his passing and step-back game have improved. Does he have enough skill to overcome his aging physical capabilities and still average at least 15 and 10 for awhile? Maybe. I suspect it will depend on injuries and how seriously he takes conditioning and diet.
IMHO he was never a bad teammate OR a good role model/leader!! He's always been an offensive force to be reckoned with and a defensive liabilty on most nights! Focusing on only one side of the coin is being presumptious and ignoring half the facts. Can he help the kids? Yes! Can he hinder their growth as well? Yes! Is he the best available free agent? Yes! At his age and at this stage of his career is giving him the max a huge risk? I also say Yes! Father time is still undefeated!!! The conundrum the Rockets face is real!! Green was speaking the truth when he spoke in that podcast. I'm fine with whatever the Rockets/Ime decide to do! Just don't trade Green/Sengun/Bari/Tari before seeing what Udoka can do with them!! I' going to be very disappointed if they trade them..... unless it's for an undeniable NBA BLUE CHIP!!! Go Rockets!!! ....... ....... .......
I'm literally back and forth on Harden. I'm kind of in the camp now of give me a better option???. There is no one as a free agent that's an obvious fit. Now you're giving up assets to trade for 2 stars. You're clearing out probably all the brooklyn picks, #4, and probably Jalen Green to land your guys... Signing Harden means maybe only losing some assets to trade for one guy... For example.... Would you move: Jalen Green #4 All Brooklyn Picks KPJ Tate To get Mikal Bridges and Jaylen Brown? Or do you move #4, Jaylen Green, and Tate for Jaylen Brown and sign Harden keeping your Brooklyn picks? The cap space of Harden's deal stinks, but if you can hold onto those Brooklyn picks it's possible you're drafting his replacement on a rookie deal while he's a potato on the bench costing 40 million.... I can see both angles... doing nothing to me is the worst case scenario....
Hope both stone n fertitta wont play back seat drivers roles this time with respect to FA signing, players swapping n waivering etc. 2019-2020 ditching contracts n reshuffling roster 2020-2021 ditching contracts n tanking for top three picks 2021-2022 tanking for wemby Yea i can't see any excuses that this team ain't go all out for wins as well as player development.
I get the feeling what's going on is absolutely no one in the Rockets organization wants Harden back except possibly Tilman and Patrick. I don't think Harden wants to come here, what he really wants is to solicit an offer from the Rockets which he can show to Philly management as leverage. In order to do that, Harden may be sweet-talking Tilman and Patrick. Stone (via Feigen) and Udoka's statements do not sound like those of someone wanting to sign Harden. They have been so aggressively stating that the core is important and Fertitta believes there's a few all stars in our core. They have stated that they would go for a home run but in general they are looking for pieces to supplement this core. They have talked about how defense, rim protection and shooting is important. This does not sound like an organization that is desperate to sign James Harden. If you look at what the Rockets have said in isolation, it paints a very different picture than the rumors. The Rockets have no incentive to deceive the media in this respect. It has to be coming from Harden and the Fertittas must be falling for it. I don't think he has any intention of signing with us which is a relief. I want to get him as the final piece to a contender puzzle, not as the first. We need to hand 2/3rds of the keys to the offense to Green and Sengun. We need a rim protector and a floor general that help Green/Jabari/Sengun do their job while bringing productivity themselves. I'm glad people have mostly cooled on the Harden idea. It was giving me PTSD and making me think there's fire behind the smoke.
Was thinking this too. Nurse our former Vipers coach and a Morey favorite. It would seem to me like Harden was included or considered in this decision. Someone who will let him be "himself" i.e. the Rockets version of himself. Interestingly, Embiid and Nurse talked **** to each other after the Raptors beat Philly. It does feel like Morey is EXTREMELY powerful in Philly, moreso than Embiid.
He does not CARE about Nick Nurse….he has a connection with Coach Ime and Coach Ivey with Brooklyn…Harden coming to Houston….
Here's something else to think about: If the reports are true, Nurse could have chosen between the Suns and Sixers. Do you really think he chose a team that might be left with only Embiid and no cap space vs the most talented team in the NBA? The Suns are willing to pay up for a coach so it's not a money issue. Something tells me he knows Morey is matching anything and Harden will stay if they do.
Harden cannot win with Embiid! Celtics, Heat and the Bucks are better than the 76ers next year. They are not going to trade Tobias(expiring contract) for a STAR? Harden is a top 20 player They can do a sign and trade for Bridges Sengun will improve this year and be a 20 and 10 Center Green will average 25+ a game, shooting 45% FG and 36% behind the 3 point line we might have a better team than the 76ers
“Nurse's desire to coach MVP Joel Embiid and his history with Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey played a significant part in his decision to commit to a deal with Philadelphia, sources said. Nurse separated himself in the interview process, selling a vision for the Sixers centered on Embiid.”
I don’t think Nurse moves the needle for PHI, moving Tobias’s contract for long winged defenders is the only way they can improve
Not sure how these things are measured. Assuming they are valid, it's interesting that the Sixers have two top 5 on-ball gravity guys and the Warriors have two top 5 off-ball gravity guys. And both of these teams got bumped in the second round.
Not really any surprises. I guess based on my perception of him as a player I’m kinda surprised Tatum would be that high as an off ball guy and not make the list on ball. He doesn’t strike me as the “can’t leave this guy no matter what type shooter” like the rest of the off ball list.
