We would also simultaneously be making OKC better next year since the Clippers owe them their 2026 pick. Hate to say it, but OKC looks like what the Rockets faced with the Warriors for over a decade.
I think the Wolves, Celtics, Bucks, Heat, and Magic could all really use a James Harden especially the Wolves doubt Harden would want to go and live in Minnesota tho Harden Ant McDaniels Randle Gobert or some iteration of that as great as Harden’s playing, his value is still not that high due to age and his contract being a 1+1 meaning he can leave next offseason if he wanted to
I love James but he clearly has a curse tied to him. He is clutch, he is special, he is the beard. But for some reason his teams always get the worst luck in the playoffs. if rather ride the wave with Reed
I'm interested, primarily because I think KD's usage is too high and he'll wear down. But the Clippers have zero incentive to tank, which means you'd have to pry Harden away from them - the price is probably too steep.
Maybe the team but homie don't show up when it comes crunch time against big teams . Look at the last series vs Denver. Some terrible games he didn't show up. 7 11 15 in those 3 last losses against Denver. Same stuff when he was in Houston, yet had some good high scoring games, he didn't have that side kick here he needed , he had Paul, and Westbrook. But we all know what happened with who we went up against.. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01/gamelog-playoffs/
The clippers are trapped and they know that. They keep harden and kawhi and fade to below mediocrity after they leave or retire, or they trade them for some assets. Hardens trade value is probably the highest it’ll be, he’s played phenomenal for someone in his position. Great playmaking, great shooting, greatscoring. A lot of teams could use that, including the rockets. The problem becomes especially for this board is holding on the past of what he once was. He wouldn’t be told to carry like he has in BKN, PHI, Clippers. All three of those teams were met with injuries. The rockets are a young team that is relatively healthy. Not only that but they’ve pretty much established what their identity is. Udoka, Sengun, Thompsonwith KD aren’t gonna take a backseat role to Harden, Harden wouldn’t even want that. Another topic that’ll come up is playoffs failures.This team isn’t gonna need a “Harden needs to prove himself” playoff series. He’ll have multiplepeople that can score and take as much blame as him over previous teams. not sure if it’ll work salary wise or anything like thatbut looking at it roster wise he’d fit like a glove
I wouldn't be opposed to the move, for the right price, the problem is that LAC doesn't have their pick and has no reason to give up James for cheap, or to blow up the team in the first place. They'd demand at least multiple Suns picks for a Harden on the wrong side of 35. You use those Phoenix picks to acquire a proper star player in his prime once KD is done, not get another player who's window is tied to Kevin Durant's instead of the youngsters. That's the same mistake Phoenix made.
I'm sorry... James does not fit with our present culture... perhaps he can peddle his 'system' elsewhere - I'm sure somebody is desperate enough for his regular season glories... we're doin team ball, where guys aint worryin bout who's a cornerstone or who's a role player... Regrettably... Mr Harden's attitude, temperament and defensive effort are "just not good enough"
Clippers are 1-8 in their last 9. It’s because of the heliocentric Harden cancer ball. **** his scoring averages. It’s always the same ****. There is no way in hell Stone brings him here, and there is no way in hell any contender in the west trades for him.
okc is really good. but they don’t look like the KD era warriors to me. They’re beatable. Not easy but beatable. I want to see what they look like with Jdub back against us at full strength minus Fred obviously. that means healthy Tari and DFS. We’ve played them as well as anyone since last season. Don’t underestimate how good this Rockets team is. We’re 9-1 in our last 10 games. We’re not at full strength for this season yet with DFS not playing yet. We’re still figuring stuff out. Let’s see how we look after Christmas. if we look at all the advanced stuff their is 3 teams that are above everyone else. And we’re one of those 3 teams along with okc and Denver. okc has also had the easiest schedule so far. Their toughest opponent was us and we took them to double OT 1 point win. That was our first game. I know they were missing their second best player but they also have great chemistry and know how to play with each other and they still had SGA out there.
Harden is averaging 26/6/9, 9 ****ing assists per game. 46% from the field and 40% from the three point line, 90% from the free throw line on 8 attempts per game. But yeah, Reed Shepherd lol. Unfortunately I think the ultimate hangup on this deal not happening is Ime's emotional connection to FVV, his contract would make the trade work but I think Ime stomps his feet and says no
Not necessarily FVV, Harden had a talk with Ime IIRC, I bet Harden wanted to map out his contributions....while Udoka only said Defense First. JH thinking, You wanna talk Defense, I was statistically the best Offensive guy ever, I am a System... That is where it ended. Also KD is much more often a sweet talker than Harden. Udoker worships players that can also fill a role.
