Yes but Harden is one of these guys that is willing to accept a huge paycut if it meant winning championships. He just screams unselfishness. He is the modern day Manu Ginobili So of Harden says he is happy in OKC( im inclined to believe him)
I wish that Harden will stay with OKC. They have something special going on. And if they break through this year, they will dominate the West for at least the next decade as their big 3 are all under 24 years old.
Yes, I would offer Harden the max. I think he is a special player. I would probably rather have Harden that Westbrook IMO.
But they shouldn't miss him too much since the difference between the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd options are HUGE (your words)
Harden is a good number 2. I don't think he can be the centerpiece like Durant, but if I were Presti and had to choose between him and Westbrook, I'd take Harden handsdown. Harden makes great decisions, can be the main facilitator, can drive, finish around the cup, hit the outside shot and can defend alright. One thing I noticed was that he seemed to become more passive on offense when MWP roughed him up. But when the game was on the line he got aggressive again. I thought he (and Durant) were way too passive for most of the game and should have been taking it to the rim much more.
Rockets are going to be irrelevant for next couple of years just like they have been for the last decade.
I can tell you right now although some of you think Artest was tough for what he did? Harden is packing World peaces backside without any lube on the basketball court when it matters to win games and perform. Thats all that matters is how idiotic he makes World Peace and the Lakers look now. Yes I would throw a huge contract his way. What else has Morey done anyways?
This is why westbrook is so important. When durant is passive, wetsbrooks is attacking the rim. They know,in that building that westbrook is more important than harden. You take westbrook out and focus on harden and durant,its different.
He's playing better than anyone on the court tonight. Also his passing ability is underrated. He is a great player.
I liken him to Pau Gasol in the sense that Pau is a superb 1b to Kobe's 1a. Harden can't be 1a, but he's one of the best 1b/c's
Harden is absolutely a Max player. He's been insane this playoffs statistically. His points over par is ridiculous. Besides tony Parker, he might be the best player from that viewpoint this post season (note: not best player overall, because he doesn't have the keys to the car to show that. Durant and westbrook get that) Give him the max. His wp/48 was second in the league for SGs behind only Wade. The guy can pass and play D too. If Kobe and Carmelo get the max, harden gets the max.
James Harden will not become a free agent. The Thunder will extend him for sure next season. In my opinion the Thunde will offer him a deal just under the max (about $12 million a year for 5 years). If I'm not mistaking, there is a new guidline under the new NBA players union agreement determining who is a max player. The reason Westbrook got the max (or near the max) this year is because he made the all-star and the all-NBA team the previous year. This allowed him to be offered the max. James Harden is not an all-star or all-NBA performer yet unlike Westbrook.
