KMart was playing defense this year, and shooting lights out. Granted Hardens the better player and on paper the better fit, but don't you think that we'd play worse in the first 10 games or so than with KMart? Let me first say that the deal had to be done. You don't pass on a deal like this. Not Houston. No way. But, KMart was one veteran ****-sure offensive threat while Harden, although experienced, is only 23 in a new system off a bad Finals showing. Chemistry's a funny thing and I'm just voicing my opinions out loud, but I'm worried that the fanbase will bailout on the team if we have a bad start as is likely given the sudden changes and our youth. What say you?
Kevin Martin's great preseason could've very well pushed this trade through. If he had sucked, I'm not sure Presti would be as confident in pushing through this trade as he did. But because KMart looked like his old self, Presti at least felt like they could contend with him this year.
Harden wanted to be the MAN, Houston provides that opportunity. He was never going to be viewed as the go to guy playing behind Durant. KMart didn't want to be the go to guy on offense. He was excited to come to Houston because he thought he would get to be Yao's Robin. In OKC he will be put in a great situation where defenses can't focus on him, and he will get to be the efficient shooter he is.
Great observation. The funny thing is Lin's favorite side of attack, right side. Harden's favorite side is the left side. Houston is now more than just a fun team to watch. It is marching toward the playoff!
But my point was not that KMart shouldn't have been traded or why Harden would fit well here. My point is that with the lack of a training camp and Harden being only 23, the beginning of the season could be tumultuous, much more so than with KMart. Anyways, what's done is done. The Lin-Harden backcourt is intriguing, to say the least. Very similar strengths, the two of them. That's an up and coming, driving and dishing, shooting and scoring young back court right there. If Lin lives up to what he's shown last year and if Harden can show that he can be the top dog of this team, we're going hunting in the playoffs to knock some folks out.
KMart was playing for a contract; he's been in this situatio before and knows he has to be 100% on it every minute he's on the floor.
1) The Rockets are rebuilding and Kmart would be past his prime by the time we would be contenders IF we kept him. He is not part of the rebuild plans. 2) The teams most interested in acquiring Kmart would be playoff bound teams needing to fill a gap. They would most like send back a mid20s pick and some role players as they won't give up key pieces to fill that role. Thats the last thing we need. Harden was a once in a season move because of their contracts situation. I won't even go into how Harden is a better fit for us and a much better player. Kmart was gone and we got the best player we could have gotten for him. Period.
Harden will probably struggle to adjust- after all he's going from being the 3rd wheel and coming off the bench- to being the focal point of the offense.
Good test for Martin to see if he can be a third wheel worthy of a championship. He has that kind of talent, but less electric than Harden. So this should be interesting. I'll be rooting for him up until the series with the heat, as I have a stronger bond to Batteier. I think the Heat got better. The Thunder may have gotten slightly worse. Counting on rookies ok to do, but roll of dice. The Lakers of course improved on paper, but still old. Think the heat have the upper hand. And that Martin may limit the Thunder and dash their title hopes.
Not entirely correct He was the man in Sac town till Tyreke Evans got there. He had no problems leading and even took that role this year
I hope K-Mart balls this year. Would rather see OKC and their Longhorn get to the Finals than the Lakers.
He's efficient, but his game is not very fun to watch at all. Below average passing and ball handling and can't create for himself.
K-Mart's playing for a new contract. He's not gonna get it in OKC, so it's just a layover where he can show off his skills and possibly score some jewelry. Great destination for him.
If K-Mart can stay healthy and thats a big if, then Presti will have made out like a bandit on this trade.
Kevin Martin's great pre-season has to be attributed to Kevin McHale. I think K-Mart finally bought into the "Hard work always pays off" attitude of the Coach. His great preseason led K-Mart to now playing for the best team he's ever played for, finally no more meaningless seasons for K-Mart...and also led to the Rockets being able to nab an allstar in James Harden. Win-Win for both teams.
