Do i think he's worth it in his current role? No. But on a different team could he develop into a leader that's worth max dollar? Yes i think it could happen. Dude reminds me of a young paul pierce....But quicker and a better shooter than Paul. Now, it is possible that he might not take that next step but a team like Rockets should consider taking the gamble. We are lacking a true go to guy and Harden has demonstrated that he can get his and he can set others up when a bucket is needed. not sure if he'll see free agency but i think the rockets would need to seriously consider this option.
Yes. He is held back by Westbrook thats for sure. Westbrook is a borderline liability at times. Harden saves this team from seeing Westbrooks Steve Francis like holding the ball, dribbling out the clock, or turning the ball over bad habits constantly. I am totally convinced that without Harden the OKC Thunder would fall apart. The reason being Durant wont demand the ball enough from Westbrook to win. Another reason being with Harden and Durant playing it demands that Westbrook give up the ball at least some times. Instead of taking shot after ill advised shot. At times They give the ball to Harden to bring it up instead if they need to get it out of Westbrooks hands. It wont work any other way. To me that means Harden might be better than Westbrook and more important for OKC.
I just completely leave out the fact what Harden can do as a player in the first place. At a high level and during the playoffs no less. Its not just starter material. He is allstar caliber already. From the bench he is at good as it gets and starting too if he was on our team.
No I think what we saw was done for a full season and part of last season too. He is ready for the big time. Its enough to think he would either stay the same which is fine or perhaps even grow since he is so young. Its the perfect time before he is established and too expensive.
Did we not learn a lesson from the max contracts we offered Nene and Marc Gasol last year? Rfa's are almost impossible to sign. It all depends on how far OKC is willing to go over the cap. Good luck making a reliable guess on that one.
Like this dude said I'd let Morey run the complicated numbers but from my eye test he seems worth it, at least I think he's better than both Ibaka and Westbrook IMHO. Harden isn't an elite scorer but he plays defense and is an all around guy. The difference between JJ and Harden is that JJ was strictly a two-way player...he'd score pts and then defend, that's it. Harden is someone who can play point-forward, this enables him to be the option A on offense even if he isn't elite because he can make plays for other people. Also, another difference was that JJ tended to choke in the playoffs, if he shot 50% FG in the regular season he'd shoot 34% in the playoffs, this guy is the opposite.
Anyone that doesen't see Harden's ceiling is blind. He has superstar potential. One of the best bbiq's I've ever seen.
He'll max it. Without Harden, I don't think OKC is doing what they are doing. The clutch shots he make is unbelievable, he just has the IT factor. For the Rockets, if he ain't coming with another somebody, he'll end like Ariza with better numbers.
No. He's a borderline All-Star who plays his role well. He can't consistently create his own shots and break down defense ike the greats, but he's getting there.
And just why would Presti do that when with Westbrook he is currently one game away from the NBA Finals? Exactly who could he get at #2 that could step in and replace Westbrook that would justify the breakup of a championship contender? Who is this? Is this really Carroll Dawson because this is exactly the kind of dumb ass move he'd make.
James Harden averged 16 points a game coming off the ****ing bench man. There shouldn't be any "buts"