Did Raven just say that if we make to the second round and won 50 games we shouldn't be excited? If we do all that with this roster that likely means that. 1.) Lin is the real deal 2.) Harden is now the best SG in the NBA at 23 years old. What's wrong with that? 50 wins in the west means you're a top 3 seed....if THIS team does that, that literally means every thing Morey did was a good move. That means he actually did better, that Linsanity happened. That Harden meets the hype. That Asik is a beast on defense. That Jones or another rookie is in the running for ROY.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It took two tries, but Rockets coach Kevin McHale, sources say, now has a guard he actually likes.</p>— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) <a href="https://twitter.com/RicBucher/status/262691981069803520" data-datetime="2012-10-28T23:07:03+00:00">October 28, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>People using Harden's poor Finals as a warning sign about him, just stop. He was 22, first Finals, playing LBJ and Wade. Gimme a break.</p>— Chris Mannix (@ChrisMannixSI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChrisMannixSI/status/262693092367413248" data-datetime="2012-10-28T23:11:28+00:00">October 28, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This sentiment puzzles me. James Harden is a top 5 SG in the league with accolades as the 6th man, Olympic experience, and NBA playoff/Finals experience. If Jeremy Lamb peaks as a professional, wouldn't we all be hoping he becomes a poor man's Harden? Moreover, how long are you willing to wait for him to develop into that? Secondly, the toronto pick made everyone cringe, but why? The value of a draft pick is generally greater than the value of the player selected. Additionally, a roster of: Lowry/Calderon (what a combo!) Fields/Terrence Ross Derozan/Kleiza Bargnani/Amir Johnson Valanciunas/Ed Davis is definitely a lotto roster this year, but is anyone going to be surprised when they land the 9th pick of the draft? Probably not. 9th pick last 5 years (excluding 2012): 2011: Kemba Walker 2010: Gordon Hayward 2009: Demar Derozan 2008: DJ Augustine 2007: Joakim Noah Ultimately, anytime you receive the best player in the trade, you win.
The Orlando GM and his love for Afflalo and Stern with his basketball reasons saved us IMO. The Pau Gasol move and the Dwight move would have been horrible moves if you ask me.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>It could take some time to determine who won OKC-Hou trade, but the odds are with OKC. Decidedly. More swings at the piñata.</p>— Ric Bucher (@RicBucher) <a href="https://twitter.com/RicBucher/status/262696129165152257" data-datetime="2012-10-28T23:23:32+00:00">October 28, 2012</a></blockquote> <script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
This hurts Bucher's credibility. You want to swing at a pinata with PROTECTED lower picks (only Toronto might be decent) rather than an established star in the making? Don't get it.
After this summer, it's pretty clear Bucher has an agenda against the Rockets. I wouldn't pay much attention to him. PS: There's a reason he's no longer employed by ESPN.
Rox23 seriously had the worst post ever! I forced myself to read it, and then I just felt a little dumber for it. LOL!
A couple-few things to play out before we can truly evaluate this trade. #1 - James Harden was a sixth man on a team with two superstars and was averaging 16+ points a game in 31 minutes of action. He is the star of this team and his minutes are going to go up to 36-37 mpg. This should increase his production to a 20/5/5 type player as a SG. Is that max contract type numbers? Maybe not, but lets not forget Harden being a plus defender and that increases his value as a max contract player. I think if Harden does end up being a 20/5/5 guy and THE guy to guard the Kobe's better 1s and 2s of the league, then the value of this trade is good for the Rockets. #2 - Cole Aldrich can be a good role player on this team. Not sure how high everyone is on Motiejunas, but I believe Aldrich has a chance to shine on a team who lacks depth at the 5. Remember, Perkins and Ibaka ate up a lot of those minutes in OKC and Aldrich really didn't get to play a whole lot because of it. He might just be a key addition to this team. I'm not too high on Cook or Heyward at this point, but we'll see. If none of these guys pans out and Lamb and a draft pick shine for OKC, then we might be losers in the deal. #3 - If the Rockets make the playoffs, then I think its a step in the right direction to attract bigger names down the road as they have the resources to offer another max contract. Harden and Lin can be the type of guys to lure more star power to the Rockets. I think with what they had before this deal was done, it wasn't enough to get a guy like Harden to sign with the Rockets during the free agency period in 2013. I like the move, but we'll just have to wait and see.
Bucher has been on a 10 year streak of bad luck. There is a reason ESPN dumped him. Honestly his opinion owns no sway.
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