Wow! that is a huge trade. I've been absorbing it for hours. There is very little bad about this. There is a huge amount of unknown, and a some definite good. Good - These are areas where the Rockets definitely improve 1. Chris Paul is one of the best pure PGs out there. 2. Chris Paul is a leader. 3. He has a tough mentality that doesn't waver in tough situations. 4. He distributes well 5. He makes good decisions with the ball 6. He can score 7. According to the media articles, Harden and James believe they can play together and that is a positive going into the whole deal. 8. He isn't a bad defender 9. These many weapons make it much tougher on opposing defenses. The Unknown - These are potential problems but not definite problems. It remains to be seen. 1. Despite their willingness to figure out how to play effectively together, we don't know how effective it will be. 2. How effective will Harden be when he's in the catch and shoot role? 3. Will Chris Paul stay healthy? 4. Will he be able to develop chemistry with the rest of the team? 5. Who is going to take on the job of guarding the toughest guards in the league with Beverley gone? 6. When the team hits the inevitable slide or small losing streak that every team hits during the season especially when they are just getting used to each other, will Paul or Harden start regretting the decision to play together and give up on the project or even be less committed to it? 7. Will the offensive philosophy change? 8. If it does change how effective will it be under Mike D'antoni? 9. Can the coach of the year adjust his style to incorporate the strengths of both Paul and Harden? The bad - Things that no matter how good it would turn out still won't be as solid as the team was last year 1. Beverley is better at lock down defense against the elite guards than Chris Paul 2. Beverley had a heart, fire, and determination that was a source of strength for all of the players on the team. 3. Beverley not only lead with his heart but was willing to work and adapt in whatever ways he could to help the team overall. 4. With Williams gone and to a much lesser extent Dekker were two people who might be able to hit threes when other players were cold. When shooting a lot of threes all players will go cold for certain stretches. So the more shooters you have the more pieces that are available to plug in when some shooters aren't hitting. I think you have to do what it takes when there is a chance to get a player as good as CP3. In the end, it will come down to how many of the unknown issues are resolved in favor of the good vs. the bad.
He should've been in the rotation, to be sure. Watching the team run aground in Game 5 against the Spurs because D'Antoni only trotted out seven players.........that was painful.
Im hearing he is included in the trade from some buddies that are usually getting good info. Not sure where from yet.
Thats part of it. Just playing the matchups. Harden wont have to force and create everything when he is tired now.
In total, we have given up 4-5 assets each worth a pick somewhere in the 15-35 range. Let's say - worst case scenario - Clippers can turn everything we traded to them into a #15 (for Bev), #20 (for Dekker + our 2018 pick), #25 (for Lou Williams) and #35 (for Trez). Combine those picks, you could probably get a top 8 pick I think. This wasn't cheap - we basically gave up a top 10 pick and a lot of our depth in order for Paul to get the extension he wants. Not to mention it looks like Les is going to spend several million acquiring non-guaranteed contracts. 100% worth it, a power move by this organization. But this is no cheap deal. If we add a 3rd major player, we are likely to end up with 5+ roster spots to be filled with $12m in exceptions (average of ~$2.4m per spot). I'm still not opposed to it. In fact, I ****ing love it because there is no better GM on this planet at finding cheap role players at great value, and the top 3 guys become locked in.
Jesus Christ, that is freaking highway robbery. Pat Beverley is the only blue-chip piece in that entire package (the pick will be a poor one). I am having a hard time comprehending how the Clippers accepted this deal without demanding Capela. But I'll take it. WOW.
