makes sense I cant think of another player who was considered elite to be that massive of a hole on defense. Carmelo looks like Dennis Rodman next to Harden - the worst thing is that when Harden actually tries on defense (which he has) and is at best an average defender this team is a lot better everyone sees the effort he is giving and tries harder themselves. Harden has elite offensive skills but you have to do it on both ends of the floor if you want to be considered an elite player in my opinion.
Yeah, I can see that. Playing YMCA level defense will do that for you. That makes this more interesting then. Makes me wonder if Morey trade Harden for a nice package in order to bring in Kevin Love. I wouldn't advocate trading Harden for Kevin Love because you need quality perimeter players in order to win in today's NBA, but if you can get some nice perimeter pieces for him AND get Kevin Love, it might be worthwhile. I don't know...getting too complicated now. That's why Morey makes the big bucks. Figure it out.
Please don't tell me that Howard is calling for James to be traded. Please don't tell me that Morey would even consider trading James. I imagine if this is the case then the end game would be Lebron or Melo - Dwight - Love but as good as this sounds I'm such a fan of James.
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Or did anyone here not think Harden would be looked at as a joke after that playoff performance? No news here
I am a huge fan of Kevin Love as well - went to every game he played at Pauley his one year at UCLA and have his UCLA jersey, but if he questions Dwight's attitude towards winning I am at a loss. Dwight has taken probably the same sort of teams talent wise Love has had much deeper into the playoffs - Love has yet to lead his team into the playoffs. (Injuries will be cited as a major reason of course) but I can see people question Harden's resolve and leadership but not Dwight's especially after how he stepped up in that Portland series
frankly - i'm glad Harden's name is getting run through the mud and I hope it's loud enough for him to hear it all. IMO - he's back on the clock to take his game to the next level and hopefully this provides the motivation. Sometimes, players need that and maybe his quick ascension from role player to star left him feeling entitled.
The problem is that Harden got a pass all year long(and last year too for that matter) thanks to his offensive brilliance during the regular season. But if he's gonna get shut down the way he was against Portland come playoff time, he's a serious liability. On both ends of the floor.
Yep. No reason to care(its obvious Scola was an agitator and that happens in the heat of a game), but I just want to remind people that if you dont like Howard and Harden because of their personalities, & especially Harden's defense, you should be careful about falling in love with the idea of Love. This guy is just as flawed both from a personality standpoint, and a player/effort/winner standpoint.
Can't say I'm surprised about all of the down talk on Harden. His defense and lack of wanting to learn (from what is shown in the games) is a joke and has now been put on full blast for all to see. Also the fact that he's been coming up short performance wise year after year in the playoffs doesn't help whatsoever either.
Love's RAPM defensive number is good, and there're quite some analytical experts thought he's underrated defender.
Well, if you move Harden it would most likely be a straight 1 for 1 between Harden and Love (or close to it). They have almost identical salaries. That would still leave us with Parsons, Asik, Lin, Jones, Beverley, Dmo, etc plus picks to either move forward or to make a move for a top 10 PG like Lowry, Rondo, Dragic, etc So in terms of where we would be, it wouldn't be THAT hard to upgrade in the back court especially if we're willing to part with Parsons (may be necessary anyway due to his upcoming contract). It's a lot easier to find additional PG's and SG's than it is to find strong stretch 4's. At a minimum, moving Harden would significantly upgrade our perimeter defense with no additional moves as the Lin/Bev back court is far superior on the perimeter to any line up with Harden.
ESPN Insider article from this morning. http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nba/rumors/post?id=26221 Nothing new but at least we are being recognized as a landing spot. Spoiler Kevin Love is planning to become a free agent in 2015, according to reports over the weekend, and that is not a surprise. Now the Minnesota Timberwolves need to decide if they are willing to play out next season with the power forward on the team, or move him in the offseason to maximize the assets they can get back in a trade. Wolves owner Glen Taylor maintained on Sunday that he is not in a rush to trade Love. "Not by the (June 26) draft,” Taylor told the Star Tribune. Wolves' president of basketball operations Flip Saunders said on Sunday that he has not spoken to Love's agent in about a month, despite reports that he was informed last week that no extension will be signed by the the All-Star power forward with the view of joining the 2015 free agent market. According to ESPN.com's Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne, Love is desperate to play for a contender after never participating in an NBA postseason. The teams reportedly hot for Love are the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets. Love essentially has the ability veto all trades since he will be a free agent after 2014-15 and he could leave for nothing. Any team dealing for Love will want to be assured he'll re-sign, but that can not be put in writing. The Lakers gambled they could re-sign Dwight Howard after they acquired the center in a multi-team trade and it backfired. So, what is the best team for Love and one willing to gamble? ESPN.com's David Thorpe writes: "If you are wondering who is the single best 'partner' for Kevin Love, the answer is easy. Dwight Howard. ... Love prefers the perimeter. Plus he is a very good half court passer. D12 at his best in 4 around 1 sets with all 4 shooting 3's." Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has always been one to go for top talent, even with risks, and he will likely try to entice Saunders to make a deal. Any deal involving Love will likely be a multi-team trade and Morey's outgoing assets might include a combination of Omer Asik, Terrence Jones, Chandler Parsons and future first round picks. Love has a very good relation with head coach Kevin McHale and that could also help to facilitate a trade.
It's cool if you don't believe him, but please don't ruin it for the rest of us who like to at least hear the info.
